trainee quantity surveyor Review
at VolkerWessels
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Construction
Barking Riverside
Review Submitted: July 2020
Overall Rating
4 /5
The Overall Rating is the average of all the ratings given in each category. We take those individual ratings and combine them into one final score!
4/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
3.6/5
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Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
4/5
My role mainly includes keeping a track on cost and where the cost is allocated with supervision of a senior QS. Weekly activities that are my responsibility includes tracking data of any compensation events for my section, looking at and approving/editing site diaries, tracking labour and plant cost in my section and holding a weekly meeting with the site manager ,site engineer, section lead, project manager and plant manager. Other activities I do regularly include journalling and investigating cost as well as paying the subcontractor I have been given. one of the main aspects of my role is to communicate with internal and external members of the station team and ensure that costs and possible issues are kept in control.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
Obviously there is the stress of having the time.to complete university assignments to a certain level whilst also completing my set work but my team are relatively understanding and if it was a need I know they would allocate time for me to complete university work. Bar that it has been a good experience with so many options to build on my skills. one of the main aspects that have made this a joyful experience is my support at volkers having a line manger and a mentor that I can communicate any concerns with. LSBU have not yet allocated me a mentor that was said in a lectur at the beggingi of the year which I think could be essential as the course becomes more intense.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
My company provided an Excel training course in order to help me improve my skills on the software as I use it on a daily basis. I have also improved my presentation skills as I have presented to the client, member of the team and at LSBU. I have also been doining online training to aid skills such as coping and managing stress in the workplace. One of the main skills I have learnt during my apprenticeship is confidence.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The university course is done in a logical way my only real concern is the lack of support that we were given in our CAD lecture. I enjoy the fact that we study 3 subjects at once in the course as it gives us the ability to see how the different sections of the course relate to each other. Furthermore in most lectures at the beggining of the year we started from basic level which was useful to me as I did not study anything to do with construction prior to the course.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I receive an enormous amount of support anything from training to personal life to university queries. The way that the apprenticeship is managed is really affective as I have a number of different people within the company that can help with any issues I may have. As well as regular reviews where my progress is monitored to highlight any areas I may need additional support.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
The majority of my support I receive is from my employer.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
As far as I am aware all my training comes from Volkerwessels. The score below is based on their training.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
There is a gym on our site that we can use if we wish. we have also done activities such as fantasy football and other sports like competitions as a group. we have had Christmas parties as a project and as a Volkerwessels we have had training and apprenticeship days where we can network.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend VolkerWessels to a friend?
Yes
Why?
An amazing company that provides a lot of support for your career but also for you as a person. Furthermore they ensure that you have the platform to explore other potential career opportunities which is useful as an apprentice as it can be daunting picking a career at such a young age. As well as opportunities to aid the community for example I attended a carrer day at a girls school as well as a project they offered in LEDC's such as one that would of happened if it wasn't for covid in Costa Rica.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to VolkerWessels?
Ensure if you have any queries or concerns to express them as the staff that are included in the apprenticeship programme are very helpful and will do everything possible to assist. Not to worry about your current knowledge as I wasn't very well enlightened for the role that I was applying for they look more for dedicated and ambitious young people as you can always learn the information during the apprenticeship but not change your ambition.
