Apprentice Land Surveyor Review
at Costain
Level 3 Apprenticeship
Construction
Newcastle upon Tyne
Review Submitted: January 2024
Overall Rating
5 /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!
5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
5/5
-
Structure and Support
Overview of Role
Please give an overview of your role and what this involves on a day-to-day basis:
5/5
A day to day involves half the day on site carrying out topographic surveys, pre-pour surveys and as built surveys of structures, if not that I am carrying out weekly monitoring surveys or doing the weekly drone shots. The other half of the day involves processing the surveys, Interacting with engineers to know what work is happening during the week so I am ready for them.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoyed the atmosphere at work, learning about different people in the sector, their history and making connections. Everyone has also been supportive throughout my apprenticeship, giving advise and tips for doing my job as well as when struggling with an assignment.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Started the role with no experience outside of a bit of AutoCAD knowledge. I have improved my CAD skills and learnt to utilise LSS (Land Surveying Software) and TBC (Trimble Business Centre) to a working standard. They are used for processing surveys, point clouds, creating kml files, and much more. I had no knowledge of the different types of kit involved but can now confidently navigate Trimble total station and GPS as well as a Leica level.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The company is pretty well organised, however apprenticeship training depends on the learning provider chosen by the company, so if the learning provider is unorganised and slow then that might cause a problem, however I have been lucky to have everything run smooth and on time.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
A lot of support not just from my direct supervisors and seniors, but also other staff in the office, engineers, SHE team, project managers, everyone who I had a question for would give their time to help should I ask for it.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
Quite a bit of support, but you have to engage and ask for support should you need it, otherwise they may focus more on the students who are voicing their concerns.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
The training has helped me learn the technical knowledge needed to carryout the role, things such as health and safety legislations, RAMs, types substructures and superstructures, etc.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
5/5
Five a side football, badminton, social nights out such as going bowling in town, dinner, etc. The project I was on had a basic gym onsite which also hosted classes for people to sign up. The company is welcoming to staff wanting to do extra-circular activities but you have to ask and get it organised.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Costain to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Good working atmosphere, good staff benefit, lots of room to grow and take on new roles if you engage and show interest.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Costain?
Show interest in the work you're involved in, ask lots of questions and don't be afraid to ask twice.
Get involved in outside of work activates and speak up if you're ever concerned about anything.
Get involved in outside of work activates and speak up if you're ever concerned about anything.
