Trainee QS Review
at Galliford Try
Higher Level Apprenticeship
Construction
Nottingham
Review Submitted: November 2025
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
5/5
-
Skills Development
4/5
-
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
As a trainee Quantity Surveyor, I support the commercial team with the financial and contractual management of construction projects while attending college one day a week. My role involves helping to control costs, manage subcontractors, and keep project records accurate and up to date.
Day-to-Day Tasks
Preparing and processing 210/510 forms for orders and payments.
Updating project information in Viewpoint and keeping records organised.
Assisting with subcontractor payments, assessments, invoices, and checking costs against budgets.
Supporting the team with compensation events, variations, and change control.
Communicating with suppliers and subcontractors to resolve queries.
Attending meetings, taking notes, and learning from senior QSs.
Developing my knowledge through on-the-job experience and weekly college learning.
Day-to-Day Tasks
Preparing and processing 210/510 forms for orders and payments.
Updating project information in Viewpoint and keeping records organised.
Assisting with subcontractor payments, assessments, invoices, and checking costs against budgets.
Supporting the team with compensation events, variations, and change control.
Communicating with suppliers and subcontractors to resolve queries.
Attending meetings, taking notes, and learning from senior QSs.
Developing my knowledge through on-the-job experience and weekly college learning.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy my programme and feel I’m getting a good balance of practical experience and learning. The time spent on site with Galliford Try has helped me understand how projects run in real situations, and I’ve enjoyed getting involved with the commercial team. The activities we’ve done outside of normal work—such as the camping trip with Galliford Try and the boat trip—have made the programme even better, as they helped me build relationships with the team and feel more confident.
I also found the online courses useful, especially the sessions with Tosin and Take Point. They helped me develop my knowledge at my own pace and supported my learning alongside college. Overall, the mix of hands-on experience, teamwork, training, and college study makes the programme enjoyable and engaging.
I also found the online courses useful, especially the sessions with Tosin and Take Point. They helped me develop my knowledge at my own pace and supported my learning alongside college. Overall, the mix of hands-on experience, teamwork, training, and college study makes the programme enjoyable and engaging.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, I’ve learnt a range of new skills and developed the ones I already had. Working as a trainee QS has helped me improve my understanding of construction costs, payments, and project documentation. I’ve learnt how to use systems like Viewpoint and how to complete 210/510 forms, as well as how to review invoices and support subcontractor assessments. All of this has helped me understand my job better and it has shaped me into the person I am today.
I’ve also developed my communication skills by emailing suppliers, speaking with subcontractors, and taking part in meetings. The trips, online courses, and sessions with Tosin and Take Point also helped me grow my teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving abilities. As well as talking to other trinees and graduates in the same boat as myself. This has allowed me to come out of my shell. Overall, I’ve gained both technical skills and personal skills that will support my progress in the role and in my day to day life.
I’ve also developed my communication skills by emailing suppliers, speaking with subcontractors, and taking part in meetings. The trips, online courses, and sessions with Tosin and Take Point also helped me grow my teamwork, confidence, and problem-solving abilities. As well as talking to other trinees and graduates in the same boat as myself. This has allowed me to come out of my shell. Overall, I’ve gained both technical skills and personal skills that will support my progress in the role and in my day to day life.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Overall, my programme is well organised and has a clear structure, combining college learning, off-the-job hours, and on-the-job training. I attend college one day a week, which gives me the theory I need for my qualification, while the rest of the week is spent gaining practical experience on site and in the office. My off-the-job hours include online courses, sessions with Tosin and Take Point, and additional learning tasks that support my development.
The trainee programme at Galliford Try is structured to give me a mix of real project experience and guided learning from senior team members. However, it has also required me to take responsibility for organising my time, balancing college work with my day-to-day tasks, and understanding how the different parts of the programme fit together. This has helped me become more organised, independent, and aware of how to manage my workload effectively.
Overall, the structure has supported my learning well, and figuring out how to manage everything has helped me grow professionally.
The trainee programme at Galliford Try is structured to give me a mix of real project experience and guided learning from senior team members. However, it has also required me to take responsibility for organising my time, balancing college work with my day-to-day tasks, and understanding how the different parts of the programme fit together. This has helped me become more organised, independent, and aware of how to manage my workload effectively.
Overall, the structure has supported my learning well, and figuring out how to manage everything has helped me grow professionally.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive a good level of support from my employer throughout the programme. The team are always willing to answer questions, explain processes, and guide me through tasks when I need help. I get support from my line managers and other QSs on the team, who take the time to show me how things work and check in on my progress.
Galliford Try also supports my development through the trainee programme, online courses, and learning sessions such as those with Tosin. They make sure I have the resources I need for my off-the-job training and my college work. Overall, I feel supported both in my day-to-day tasks and in my long-term learning and progression.
Galliford Try also supports my development through the trainee programme, online courses, and learning sessions such as those with Tosin. They make sure I have the resources I need for my off-the-job training and my college work. Overall, I feel supported both in my day-to-day tasks and in my long-term learning and progression.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I receive good support from my training provider while working towards my qualifications. They guide me through the coursework, help me understand what evidence I need for my portfolio, and are available if I have any questions. The weekly college sessions and regular check-ins also help keep me on track.
However, I haven’t needed a large amount of extra support from them because I already receive strong day-to-day guidance from Galliford Try. The team there helps me understand my tasks, supports my learning on the job, and gives me the confidence to progress. Because of this, I’ve been able to manage my qualification well without needing heavy input from my training provider.
However, I haven’t needed a large amount of extra support from them because I already receive strong day-to-day guidance from Galliford Try. The team there helps me understand my tasks, supports my learning on the job, and gives me the confidence to progress. Because of this, I’ve been able to manage my qualification well without needing heavy input from my training provider.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
My qualifications through my training provider help me perform better in my role by giving me the theory behind the work I do at Galliford Try. The college units help me understand construction processes, contracts, measurements, and cost control, which makes it easier to apply this knowledge on real projects.
Alongside this, the training we did with Take Point, especially during the camping and sailing activities, has also helped develop important skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. These have all supported my confidence and performance in the workplace.
Overall, the qualification and the additional training both complement my on-the-job learning and help me grow as a trainee QS.
Alongside this, the training we did with Take Point, especially during the camping and sailing activities, has also helped develop important skills like teamwork, communication, and problem-solving. These have all supported my confidence and performance in the workplace.
Overall, the qualification and the additional training both complement my on-the-job learning and help me grow as a trainee QS.
Are there extra-curricular activities to get involved in at your work? (For example, any social activities, sports teams, or even professional networking events.)
3/5
Yes, there are several extra-curricular activities that you can get involved in at Galliford Try. The team often organises social events, such as nights out and lunches together, which help build team spirit and relationships. Some colleagues take part in running at lunch or other fitness activities, and there are regular invites to join these sessions.
There are also charity and fundraising events, which people can volunteer for in their own time. While these are not mandatory, many staff choose to get involved and organise activities themselves, which makes for a supportive and engaging working environment beyond day-to-day work.
There are also charity and fundraising events, which people can volunteer for in their own time. While these are not mandatory, many staff choose to get involved and organise activities themselves, which makes for a supportive and engaging working environment beyond day-to-day work.
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Galliford Try to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Yes, I would recommend Galliford Try to a friend. The company offers excellent opportunities for growth and development, combining hands-on experience with structured learning, college, and additional training like the sessions with Take Point. There is always a chance to take on new responsibilities, learn from experienced colleagues, and develop both technical and personal skills.
Galliford Try also provides a supportive environment with plenty of opportunities to get involved in projects, team activities, and extra-curricular events, helping trainees build confidence and professional networks. Overall, it’s a place where you can grow, develop your career, and make the most of the opportunities available.
Galliford Try also provides a supportive environment with plenty of opportunities to get involved in projects, team activities, and extra-curricular events, helping trainees build confidence and professional networks. Overall, it’s a place where you can grow, develop your career, and make the most of the opportunities available.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Galliford Try?
Show enthusiasm for construction and learning: Galliford Try values candidates who are eager to develop their skills and take on new challenges.
Be proactive and willing to get involved: Whether it’s on-site tasks, office work, or extra activities, showing a positive attitude and willingness to help goes a long way.
Highlight teamwork and communication skills: The company focuses on collaboration, so give examples of times you’ve worked well in a team.
Be organised and keen to learn: Demonstrating that you can manage your time, balance tasks, and take ownership of your development is important for a trainee role.
Engage with all opportunities: From college learning to online courses and team events, being open to every part of the programme shows commitment and helps you grow.
Be yourself and be willing to be put in the deep end and to take on opportunities.
Overall, showing that you are motivated, adaptable, and eager to learn will make your application stand out.
Be proactive and willing to get involved: Whether it’s on-site tasks, office work, or extra activities, showing a positive attitude and willingness to help goes a long way.
Highlight teamwork and communication skills: The company focuses on collaboration, so give examples of times you’ve worked well in a team.
Be organised and keen to learn: Demonstrating that you can manage your time, balance tasks, and take ownership of your development is important for a trainee role.
Engage with all opportunities: From college learning to online courses and team events, being open to every part of the programme shows commitment and helps you grow.
Be yourself and be willing to be put in the deep end and to take on opportunities.
Overall, showing that you are motivated, adaptable, and eager to learn will make your application stand out.
