I am an Assistant Quantity Surveyor working for calfordseaden LLP based at London Bridge.
I chose an apprenticeship and career path in construction as I have worked for a multi-disciplinary property and construction consultancy since I was 16.
During COVID I decided that the quantity surveying role suited me and my existing skill set, as well as the opportunities and future that the construction industry can provide.
Before starting this current apprenticeship, I had been working as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor for my current company, working my way up from a 16-year-old straight out of school to where I am now. I explored the company and all the disciplines we provided but ultimately settled into a group consisting of quantity surveyors - this is when I started to really understand the business and became passionate about what I do.
MidKent College were able to provide me with a Level 4 Construction apprenticeship that is also tailored to quantity surveying through the apprentice side of things such as ensuring off the job hours and work-based evidence is linked to my role. The End Point Assessment that MidKent College provide was also something that I was keen on pursuing to further my career and enhance my portfolio.
Because of my experience before starting at MidKent College, I already had a good base of knowledge and understanding in various subjects. However, this apprenticeship has not only developed and expanded my existing knowledge but has helped me in my role as I am now able to apply what we learn and discuss in class to my work environment.
I would say the biggest struggle can be juggling work, life, and the apprenticeship at the same time, this was particularly hard to begin with but over time finding routines and being disciplined has helped to overcome this.
I’m proud of the grades I have got so far with my assignment and exams as well as the progress that I have made within the workplace, I’ve become more confident and focused.
In August 2024, I was given the opportunity to move groups within the business to a QS/BS/EA team which has a wider variety of projects and tasks that I had not been exposed to before. This opportunity was given to me due to my hard work and connections that I have been with colleagues in the London office.
The apprenticeship has given me the purpose to look at all aspects of my work life for when I am out of the office and on site. I now look at how everything I do within work can help me learn and improve as well as using experiences to reflect on.
I have a clear pathway that I am now set on and confident in accomplishing, whereas before I was perhaps not as sure on where I was going and trying to achieve.Before, I think I would have been happy with just settling on my position and my workload, however now I want to become the best I can and to keep progressing as far as possible.
After completing the Level 4 and EPA, I aim to jump into the Level 6 Quantity Surveying course and finally achieving Chartership with RICS.
In 5 years, I see myself as a confident Quantity Surveyor who has completed the Level 6 course and has become a Chartered Member of RICS.
The advice I would give to someone to go for an apprenticeship is if you are willing to get stuck in straight away and have an idea of what field you see yourself having a career in, the best way to learn in my opinion is by doing the work yourself. Making mistakes should be a good thing to learn from providing you have a supportive employer.
Not everyone’s journey is the same, so just be confident in what you’re trying to achieve and ultimately everything will work out.
