Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Review
at Balfour Beatty
Degree Apprenticeship
Surveying
Preston
Review Submitted: June 2024
Overall Rating
3.9 /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
3/5
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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
I was employed to the rail (CRSA) and generally, I work on the subcontract packages and forecasting. However, the role is inclusive and gives me opportunities to work on change controls, conflict management and stakeholder management to name a few.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I find my programme very enjoyable, everyone is a friendly face and having gone from 'casual' working to a professional environment the transition has been seamless. Furthermore, my line manager and the senior team pushed me and gave me helpful constructive criticism while allowing me to make mistakes and learn from them.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
3/5
I feel that Balfour Beatty has provided me with a vast amount of opportunities and are always looking for ways to support their apprentices and push them in their respective fields. The only difficulty I have found with my working group being Rail the lack of ability to rotate into different disciplines, this would be helpful with working toward a full knowledge base of not only Civils (Rail)
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
3/5
The structure and organisation are difficult within my working area simply due to the high intake of apprentice quantity surveyors to line managers who weren't made aware of our employment prior. The structure has seen continuous improvement but it was initially difficult. This has been the same with my learning provider finding that some of my modules have left much to be desired while others have been extremely well delivered.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
The support from my employer has been to the highest standard. Having been in an apprenticeship previously and comparing it to now the line managers, mentors and colleagues have been top-tier. They have all been just at the end of the phone to support or point me in the right direction for any mistakes I may have made and the working environment is to the highest standard.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
2/5
My training provider has been very mixed, dependent on the lecturer the provider has either been fantastic or left a lot to be desired. Certain modules have been delivered with a lack of understanding felt by the whole cohort and little support to any questions. On the other hand, other modules have been delivered in a positive and extremely helpful manor.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
4/5
The qualification is a great insight into potential tasking that I will undertake further in my career. It also provides me with ideas on how to improve our current process. On the whole, I feel it provides me a great look at the roles and responsibilities of a quantity surveyor.
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
My work does provide limited opportunities for extra-curricular activities such as volunteering etc. But the networking events are constant and very good to attend, there is at least one every two months and the vary in location and type of venue with familiar and new faces to talk to.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Balfour Beatty to a friend?
Yes
Why?
The opportunities that Balfour Beatty has given me, on top of the qualifications and space for growth have been very encouraging. Furthermore, there are very visible pathways to career progression with a feeling of limitless expanse as long as you work hard and put your mind toward promotions and growth.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Balfour Beatty?
The main thing would be being yourself, the roles need to suit your personality and what you are good at. There are a host of opportunities and presenting yourself in a positive yet headstrong and confident manor in my opinion is key. Welcome opportunities to network as that will accelerate your growth and look at individuals within the company as not only colleagues but friends that you make along the way.
