Cost Consultant Assistant Review
at Mace
Degree Apprenticeship
Construction
Birmingham
Review Submitted: May 2022
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
3.8/5
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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
On a day to day basis it does vary. At this current stage I'm mainly doing measures, take offs and comp checks. In addition to this, I also go to site (roughly once a week), meet and chase contractors, help the consultancy region team out with a range of tasks such as ensuring valuations go out on time.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really do enjoy the program. For someone starting a career I don't think there is any better with the amount of support given out that relates to our actual career, university work and our path onto becoming chartered, which we should achieve at the end of the program. Saying this though the additional program support which is mandatory I feel can get in the way a bit especially when work has picked up and university deadlines are on the horizon, and that with the high apprentice intake it is a specific day in the week, for me I miss these sessions as I am at university and I do feel I am missing out on important lessons. However, I am always sent the information after the session ends. It is pretty difficult to try and fault Mace they are really good and if you put in 110 they will give you 110. With regards to the university I do feel that can be vastly improved.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Yeah, I have developed life skills such as effective communication team work, confidence, organisation and working under pressure. I have learnt countless new skills, the main ones to talk about is the cost planning and measuring software we use where my ability to use the software effectively has rapidly been developed. I have also learnt new skills with other software such as Excel, Word, SharePoint etc etc.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Going back to what was touched on in the last comment I made, even though this is my first year as an apprentice due to previous studies I have been able to join Wolverhampton university on the Third year (part time). This has meant to confusion here and there especially to do with my path to becoming chartered, however that has now been full resolved. And like I said before with my uni day being on the same day as sessions it isn't the greatest, but that is only for this year and will change the next.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
11/10 Support. The support from Mace is above and beyond. I have a line manager, buddy (first couple weeks to help settle in), mentor, apprentice team and the regional consultancy team. If there is ever a problem I can literally turn to anyone and it will get resolved it is incredible.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
From University of Wolverhampton, the support is fairly minimal. If you do a lot of reaching out you can get the help you need, but it's never as simple as just asking someone. Lectures vary but some are fairly rushed. I think a major issue with the university is miscommunication. On the bright side, I do have a mentor. I haven't sat down with him as of yet, but if there is any major issues I can report to him.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
I feel that the qualification does help me perform better in my role. This is because what we learn may not be able to applied directly, but gives us context to different aspects, which results in a better understanding of my role and different challenges etc that I face now and will come to face. As well as this useful tricks are picked up and therefore carried over into my 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
At Mace there is a fair amount of activities to get involved with, for the first few months as covid was easing and then getting worse again there wasn't much at all; however, it's picking back up a lot now which is great. We have loads of professional networking events which is great for myself and other apprentices. In addition to that we have loads of volunteering days and the occasional work do.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Mace to a friend?
Yes
Why?
In simple words its a great place to work.
The support Mace offer, what they give to you and there dedication to you finishing the program in 5 years fully qualified, full of experience on a range of different projects and to be either chartered or going for chartership is absolute amazing. In addition to this, Mace have loads of support around difficult subjects of today and are fighting for it which is amazing to see especially from a construction company that is the size of Mace.
The support Mace offer, what they give to you and there dedication to you finishing the program in 5 years fully qualified, full of experience on a range of different projects and to be either chartered or going for chartership is absolute amazing. In addition to this, Mace have loads of support around difficult subjects of today and are fighting for it which is amazing to see especially from a construction company that is the size of Mace.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Mace?
1) Get Linked in, connect to a few employees and get up to date with what they are doing
2) Be yourself and show confidence
3) Make sure you know Mace's values and its new ambitions
4) Have a look at the projects Mace has done
5) Ask questions
2) Be yourself and show confidence
3) Make sure you know Mace's values and its new ambitions
4) Have a look at the projects Mace has done
5) Ask questions
