Commercial Apprentice Review
at Mace
Degree Apprenticeship
Construction
London
Review Submitted: March 2022
Overall Rating
4.1 /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
-
Overview of Role
4/5
-
Skills Development
3.6/5
-
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 involves assisting my line manager with the commercial management of large sub-contract packages on the 40 Leadenhall Street project, as well as independent management of my own smaller sub-contractors. I also work closely with the senior members of the team to assist in roles such as cost reporting and contract practice.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
A great extent.
The mix of on-site learning, university and the apprenticeship training scheme provides a great combination of experience. The camaraderie within an on site team as well as a great size apprenticeship cohort makes the job very enjoyable. Being on site as opposed to working from home also improves the social aspect.
The mix of on-site learning, university and the apprenticeship training scheme provides a great combination of experience. The camaraderie within an on site team as well as a great size apprenticeship cohort makes the job very enjoyable. Being on site as opposed to working from home also improves the social aspect.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yes, numerous!
- Contract practice and awareness
Putting together sub-contracts, using our main contract with the Employer.
- Valuation & Variation (pricing skills)
- Presentation and Communication
Delivering numerous presentations to the project team and having to communicate with wider groups of professionals.
- IT & MS Office
Form having very limited exposure to these tools throughout my formal education my proficiency has vastly improved by using them daily.
- Contract practice and awareness
Putting together sub-contracts, using our main contract with the Employer.
- Valuation & Variation (pricing skills)
- Presentation and Communication
Delivering numerous presentations to the project team and having to communicate with wider groups of professionals.
- IT & MS Office
Form having very limited exposure to these tools throughout my formal education my proficiency has vastly improved by using them daily.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
Very well organised.
We are giving one day a week for our university studies and have a competency portfolio that we have to complete over the apprenticeship which closely aligns to the RICS competencies. We also have bi-monthly training days where all apprentices attend the head office for appropriate sessions.
We are giving one day a week for our university studies and have a competency portfolio that we have to complete over the apprenticeship which closely aligns to the RICS competencies. We also have bi-monthly training days where all apprentices attend the head office for appropriate sessions.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
Enough. We have line managers, buddies and the apprenticeship team to go to if we have any issues. If we need extra time to complete our university or portfolio work our site team are usually fairly flexible, as long as you seem to be putting in the work on site and not just slacking off!
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
3/5
Fairly limited. The training provider is London South Bank University, the support we receive has become more easily available since the university has re-opened and is no longer online, but still it can sometimes be hard to get a hold of lecturers or appropriate individuals to provide support / genuine answers.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
Again, fairly limited at the moment. The first 2 years of my course is quite a general building course, but I have been informed the next 3 years are more closely linked to quantity surveying / commercial management so will hopefully then be more applicable in my day to day role.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
4/5
Yes, especially since covid. Most are organised at a site level by individuals (drinks, 5-a-side games, charity pub quizzes etc.) but there are some organised by the business unit (drinks/networking after communications sessions mainly).
I think there could be more of these that are organised / funded by the business, especially ones that don't involve drinking.
I think there could be more of these that are organised / funded by the business, especially ones that don't involve drinking.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Mace to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Because of what I said above! The support has been excellent, the structure has been clear, the work has been interesting, the atmosphere has been for the most part supportive and friendly. Compared to peers in other companies carrying out similar positions, Mace seem to be the best company I could've chose.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Mace?
Take advantage of the programmes / sessions put on during national apprenticeship week and the construction experience programme.
For interviews and assessments, just be yourself (you need to make sure Mace is a good fit for you as much as the other way round) and do your research on Mace values and where the business wants to be in 5 years.
For interviews and assessments, just be yourself (you need to make sure Mace is a good fit for you as much as the other way round) and do your research on Mace values and where the business wants to be in 5 years.
