Quantity Surveying Apprentice Review

by Transport for London

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

5/10

1. Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:

Currently working in the civils team on upgrade projects and maintenance. Currently covering for a higher grade member of staff so my work day is long. My role involves doing monthly accruals, payments, procurement, commercial management, supplier management and more. Also working to improve relations between commercial and technical

5/10

2. Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?

I've developed my procurement skills after finally getting experience in it after 3 years. I have previously developed my people skills by working closely with the internal client and the external contractor to deliver better service for TfL. Also have developed my professional skills by doing the BAU activities.

7/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

At first I really enjoyed it but multiple poor decisions have been made short sightedly and without prior consultation that has degraded my experience and the experiences of others. How much you enjoy your apprenticeship all depends what scheme you're on as other schemes have better leadership than others.

4/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

At the beginning the scheme was well structured but changes enacted by senior management without consultation eroded the established structure and we have mostly been left to fend for ourselves. I have tried on multiple occasions to reach out to remedy the situation with no luck and it's not looking like it's changing soon.

3/10

5. How much support do you receive from your employer?

As mentioned in the previous question help is only really offered if you go searching for it. People in the business want to help but in terms of help centrally from HR there isn't much. I'm currently trying to remedy this however. Other schemes have it better.

4/10

6. How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?

LSBU this year have been shockingly bad, with mistakes after mistakes that negatively affect us and no accountability is taken by them. Do not go there if you have a choice & if you are forced to go there make sure you hold them to account when/if they mess up.

5/10

7. How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?

Uni is the only way to currently learn estimating since it's not a practice that TfL do on a daily basis due to it being a client organisation. I have raised with HR multiple times that extra support is needed as only using the experience from uni isnt enough.

6/10

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 used to be but most of them have dried up due to COVID & there being zero funding to support them. I would recommend getting involved with activities at university instead. You can make a society about anything or join a sports team. I've taken over the radio station for example

6/10

9a. Would you recommend Transport for London to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

It's a great company to work for, just do not do the quantity surveying apprenticeship. There are many different schemes to choose from & I would recommend any of those. There is a lot of scope to move around the business & get experience from internal experts & people want to help you.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Transport for London?

Be open and willing to learn, if you have those to traits you'll be fine. Also be willing to steer your own learning as the scheme leads and HR are non existent in terms of help & support & you will only have yourself to rely on. Make sure to get stuck in as well.