degree apprentice quantity surveyor Review
at Balfour Beatty
Degree Apprenticeship
Surveying
Warrington, Cheshire
Review Submitted: April 2025
Overall Rating
3.1 /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!
3/5
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Overview of Role
4/5
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Skills Development
2.4/5
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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:
3/5
Commercial management of live and preconstruction contracts, managing the procurement, tendering and contract/subcontract management day to day
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
3/5
I enjoy my day to day work experience when in the office or at home, as well as the Early Careers Scheme offered, however the 3+ hours of commuting daily can overshadow this. As this has been for the large majority of my programme whilst working within 1 mile of three other projects, i believe there are ways BB can look to improve this.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
4/5
Every skill i have learnt is new in terms of the job role, commercially and contractually. Daily on construction sites i am learning new skills that i wouldn't necessarily find it other sectors of the industry. Further, i have developed my existing people skills, learning how to deal better with clients and subcontractors etc.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
The programme is very well ran, only downside could be the 'Brathay programme' which holds online sessions which could be quite pointless. It may be beneficial to have these face-to-face. However overall, the programme looks to introduce apprentices and graduates to one another which can help with networking at a young age.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
2/5
Workplace line manager and senior management are always there to assist, however there is a poor work life balance and not much incentive for an apprentice to join the company, being well below market pay rates and offering little benefits. However i believe that this support is more promenant at the latter stages of your career which is positive.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I have quarterly catch ups with my university coach and have to record progress weekly. It is easy to contact University staff when help is required.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
1/5
I believe that in my specific qualification, 90% of my learning is solely from the workplace due to the sector of Balfour Beatty I work in. However I understand that in the wider industry, the information we learn at University will be beneficial in the workplace, I just currently do not work under the contracts and methods which we study at university.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
1/5
Extremely rarely there will be a professional networking event. However there are no social activities or sports teams that i am aware of.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Balfour Beatty to a friend?
No
Why?
I believe that at my current age, the company does not offer fair competitive market rates or a good work life balance to want to recommend the company to a friend. However in the future, I can see the company being a good workplace for the latter stages of a career.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Balfour Beatty?
I would suggest for people who are applying to Balfour Beatty to understand the likelihood of travelling long distances from the main office in the contract. Although money is not everything, it is why we go to work everyday so people should understand that the rates offered (this may differ between region) are not typically in line with the market rates. People should take into consideration their personal situations when deciding to take a role within Balfour Beatty, as it is a company that can offer lots of personal development and training options, however may not be the perfect fit for someone with a young family who would like to be at home when possible.
