Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Review

by Costain

Best Apprenticeship Employer

Rating

8.2/10

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

Managing subcontractors, performing take offs, pricing construction work, negotiating contracts. Sometimes on site measuring works, reviewing application for payments, assessing compensation events, creating payment certificates. Commercial administration, sending payment certificates, inputting payments, maintaining a change register, issueing site instructions, creating forecast sheets, reviewing overall cost to completes and maintaining subcontractor programme key dates.

10/10

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

I have learnt lots of transferrable skills including general commercial management, excel skills, communication, etc.

10/10

3. To what extent do you enjoy your programme?

I enjoy my work and i enjoy the team i work in, our staff turnover has been quite high so i have met a lot of different people within my team.

8/10

4. How well organised/structured is your programme?

My company have not been very involved in my uni degree which i quite like, i have been trusted to complete work without supervision of my work.

9/10

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

As mentioned, limited direct support however i know there are people i can contact within the business should i need to.

9/10

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

I attend uni once a week, other than the general lecturers i don't receive any support from my university however i havent really struggled on any modules so far.

6/10

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

There are some elements in my degree which have been helpful however overall i think learning on the job has been a lot more beneficial than any uni module i have done.

5/10

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.)

We have done team building activities on several occasions and have had meals out with my work.

9/10

9a. Would you recommend Costain to a friend?

Yes

9b. Why?

They offer several great benefits for each individual on top of a competitive salary: pension contribution is matched up to 10%, BUPA healthcare, etc.

10. What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Costain?

The apprenticeship has run smoothly although the business havent been too involved in grades, development, etc however personally this has been good for me as i think i work well without supervision.