Rating

8.4/10
  • 1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
  • Working on construction projects, generally within west central London, at all RIBA stages, including concept design, planning and detail design stages, and contract administration (Principal Designer under CDM 2015 regulations). Sometimes assisting colleagues with elements of projects they are running, but also responsible for running my own design/construction projects. Projects tend to be small to medium size, and are majority refurbishment and adaptation of existing buildings rather than new build. I primarily work on residential and retail uses, although sometimes office or leisure use, usually when assisting colleagues. My role is approx 80-90% office based, with the remainder spent on site, or attending meetings with clients/contractors/consultants.

    9/10

  • 2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
  • Prior to this employment I had experience of design and drafting, but minimal experience through the construction phases, so my primary new skill has been in learning contract adminstration and how to run a project effectively to completion. I also had minimal experience in designing fit-out/decorations/fixtures, which is part of most of the projects I work on now. My existing design skills and knowledge of planning, building control have also developed considerably, with the additional experience and experience of different types of project and stakeholders/authorities.

    9/10

  • 3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
  • I enjoy it on an academic level, as I find the work I do interesting, both at university and in my employment. The reality of finding the time to do both, in additional to general life administration is less enjoyable, my work/life balance is minimal or non-existent for much of the year. I tolerate this largely due to the nature of the work itself, and the fact that there is an end-goal in sight.

    8/10

  • 4. How well organised/structured is your programme?
  • As I am part of the first cadre of students undertaking architecture apprenticeships, some of the details were/are still being worked out as I undertake the course. However, given these time pressures and the fact many of the people involved are doing this for the first time, the organisation and structure has generally been clear and well communicated.

    8/10

  • 5. How much support do you receive from your employer?
  • As mentioned previously, I am the first apprenticeship at my workplace, so they are not well placed to support me with regards to the working of the apprenticeship itself. However, they are used to supporting employees through obtaining further qualifications and professional chartership. They are generally good at this, providing study leave in addition to the minimum requirements and understanding the pressures that I am under. They would probably provide additional support if i requested it also.

    8/10

  • 6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
  • As would be expected from a large institution like LSBU, there are a wide range of support structures and services available for students to access. On a more informal level, the teaching staff and tutors are helpful and understanding of the stresses of the course and provide any support I require.

    9/10

  • 7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
  • Having returned to my Part 2 after many years experience working, much of the knowledge I need for my current job role I either already have, or is better learnt in practice. The course is focused primarily on the skills of research, creativity and design, in these areas it is definitely beneficial towards performing better in my job, but difficult to quantify. I think the Part 3 section of the qualification will likely contain more content that is directly applicable to my job.

    7/10

  • 8. Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
  • There is an annual day trip event, after work events a few times a year, and on the last friday of each month drinks and food in the office. There are also events organised by clients and contractors which we attend. There is an annual charity run (City Chartered Race) which I tend to go to, various other sports teams which I don't participate in.

    9/10

  • 9a. Would you recommend Fresson and Tee to a friend?
  • Yes


  • 9b. Why?
  • There is a good office atmosphere and the people working there are friendly and competent. Good balance of collaboration/support and individual responsibility on projects. The office and location are good. Variety and type of projects we work on makes the job interesting. Pay and benefits are decent for the sector.


  • 10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Fresson and Tee?
  • See my previous answer. I would also advise that they should be happy to accept responsibility and take initiative on projects. The company is primarily surveyors, if I were advising an architecture student I would say they should gain more knowledge of building construction technology and materials, building services etc, as this is needed alongside more aesthetic design skills which part 1 and part 2 courses tend to focus on.


Details

Degree Apprenticeship

London

February 2020

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