Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Review
at Crawford & Co Surveyors
Degree Apprenticeship
Construction, Finance, Surveying
Beeston, Nottinghamshire
Review Submitted: April 2026
Overall Rating
4.4 /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!
4.5/5
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Overview of Role
5/5
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Skills Development
4.2/5
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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
As an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor at Crawford & Co Surveyors, I support the financial and commercial management of construction and retrofit projects. My role involves working with the Project Manager and wider team to ensure costs are accurately monitored and projects run efficiently.
On a day-to-day basis, I prepare invoices and applications for payment, track project costs, and manage financial records using systems such as QuickBooks. I also chase outstanding payments and help maintain cash flow. In addition, I liaise with clients, suppliers, and colleagues, check project documentation, and support audits and project setup.
Overall, my role combines financial management with project coordination, helping to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
On a day-to-day basis, I prepare invoices and applications for payment, track project costs, and manage financial records using systems such as QuickBooks. I also chase outstanding payments and help maintain cash flow. In addition, I liaise with clients, suppliers, and colleagues, check project documentation, and support audits and project setup.
Overall, my role combines financial management with project coordination, helping to ensure projects are delivered on time and within budget.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
5/5
I enjoy my programme to a good extent, as it allows me to gain both practical experience in the workplace and academic knowledge through university. Being able to apply what I learn at university directly to real projects helps reinforce my understanding and makes the learning more meaningful.
I particularly enjoy developing my knowledge of construction processes, cost management, and how projects are delivered in practice. Working alongside experienced colleagues also helps build my confidence and professional skills.
However, balancing work and university commitments can be challenging at times, especially when managing deadlines from both. Despite this, I find the programme rewarding overall as it is helping me progress towards a long-term career in Quantity Surveying.
I particularly enjoy developing my knowledge of construction processes, cost management, and how projects are delivered in practice. Working alongside experienced colleagues also helps build my confidence and professional skills.
However, balancing work and university commitments can be challenging at times, especially when managing deadlines from both. Despite this, I find the programme rewarding overall as it is helping me progress towards a long-term career in Quantity Surveying.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
Yes, I have developed a range of new skills and strengthened existing ones throughout my programme. One of the main areas of development has been my understanding of cost management and financial processes, particularly through preparing invoices, applications for payment, and using software such as QuickBooks. Over time, I have become more confident in ensuring accuracy and understanding how these tasks contribute to overall project performance.
I have also developed my communication skills by regularly interacting with colleagues, clients, and suppliers. Initially, I found some aspects of communication more challenging, but through experience and feedback, I have become more confident and professional in how I present information and respond to queries. In addition, my organisation and time management skills have improved as I have learned to balance the demands of full-time work alongside university deadlines.
Furthermore, I have gained a stronger understanding of construction processes and how projects are managed in practice, particularly within retrofit projects. This has helped me link my academic learning with real-world application, making the knowledge more meaningful.
Overall, I feel that the programme has supported both my technical development and personal growth, and I am continuing to build the skills required for a career in Quantity Surveying.
I have also developed my communication skills by regularly interacting with colleagues, clients, and suppliers. Initially, I found some aspects of communication more challenging, but through experience and feedback, I have become more confident and professional in how I present information and respond to queries. In addition, my organisation and time management skills have improved as I have learned to balance the demands of full-time work alongside university deadlines.
Furthermore, I have gained a stronger understanding of construction processes and how projects are managed in practice, particularly within retrofit projects. This has helped me link my academic learning with real-world application, making the knowledge more meaningful.
Overall, I feel that the programme has supported both my technical development and personal growth, and I am continuing to build the skills required for a career in Quantity Surveying.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
4/5
Overall, I find the programme to be fairly well organised and structured, particularly in how it combines academic learning with practical workplace experience. The apprenticeship format allows me to apply what I learn at university directly into my day-to-day role, which helps reinforce my understanding and keeps the course relevant.
The university modules are generally clear in their expectations, with defined assignments and learning outcomes. However, at times, managing both work responsibilities and academic deadlines can feel challenging, especially when they overlap. This can make the programme feel demanding, even when it is well structured.
From a workplace perspective, I have been supported in developing my skills and gaining relevant experience, which complements the academic side of the programme well. Overall, while there are occasional challenges with workload balance, I feel the programme is structured in a way that supports my development and progression in the industry.
The university modules are generally clear in their expectations, with defined assignments and learning outcomes. However, at times, managing both work responsibilities and academic deadlines can feel challenging, especially when they overlap. This can make the programme feel demanding, even when it is well structured.
From a workplace perspective, I have been supported in developing my skills and gaining relevant experience, which complements the academic side of the programme well. Overall, while there are occasional challenges with workload balance, I feel the programme is structured in a way that supports my development and progression in the industry.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
4/5
I receive a good level of support from my employer throughout my programme. I work closely with experienced colleagues, particularly the Project Manager, who provides guidance, reviews my work, and offers feedback to help me improve. This has been valuable in developing both my technical understanding and confidence in carrying out tasks.
I am also supported in gaining practical experience that aligns with my university studies, which helps reinforce my learning and ensures I am developing relevant skills for my role as a Quantity Surveyor. My employer provides opportunities to be involved in different aspects of projects, including financial processes, project coordination, and meetings.
However, as with any apprenticeship, there can be challenges in balancing work responsibilities with university commitments. Despite this, I feel supported overall, and I am able to ask for help when needed, which has contributed positively to my development.
I am also supported in gaining practical experience that aligns with my university studies, which helps reinforce my learning and ensures I am developing relevant skills for my role as a Quantity Surveyor. My employer provides opportunities to be involved in different aspects of projects, including financial processes, project coordination, and meetings.
However, as with any apprenticeship, there can be challenges in balancing work responsibilities with university commitments. Despite this, I feel supported overall, and I am able to ask for help when needed, which has contributed positively to my development.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
5/5
I receive a good level of support from my training provider when working towards my qualifications. The university provides clear module structures, assignment briefs, and learning resources, which help guide my studies and ensure I understand what is expected.
Lecturers are generally supportive and available to provide clarification and feedback when needed, which has been helpful in improving my understanding of key topics. The combination of lectures and coursework allows me to gradually build my knowledge and apply it to both academic and workplace contexts.
Lecturers are generally supportive and available to provide clarification and feedback when needed, which has been helpful in improving my understanding of key topics. The combination of lectures and coursework allows me to gradually build my knowledge and apply it to both academic and workplace contexts.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
5/5
I feel that my qualification helps me perform better in my role to a good extent. The knowledge I gain through my training provider, particularly around construction principles, building services, and cost management, supports my understanding of the tasks I carry out in the workplace.
I find it especially useful when I can directly apply academic learning to real projects, as it helps reinforce my understanding and gives more context to my day-to-day responsibilities. For example, learning about construction methods and processes at university has improved my ability to understand project requirements and communicate more effectively with colleagues.
I find it especially useful when I can directly apply academic learning to real projects, as it helps reinforce my understanding and gives more context to my day-to-day responsibilities. For example, learning about construction methods and processes at university has improved my ability to understand project requirements and communicate more effectively with colleagues.
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
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend Crawford & Co Surveyors to a friend?
Yes
Why?
Yes, I would recommend Crawford & Co Surveyors to a friend, particularly for someone looking to start a career in Quantity Surveying. The company provides a supportive environment where you can gain practical, hands-on experience while developing your knowledge alongside experienced professionals.
I have had the opportunity to work on real projects, take on responsibility, and develop key skills such as cost management, communication, and organisation. The support from colleagues and management has been valuable in helping me build confidence and improve my understanding of the role.
I have had the opportunity to work on real projects, take on responsibility, and develop key skills such as cost management, communication, and organisation. The support from colleagues and management has been valuable in helping me build confidence and improve my understanding of the role.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to Crawford & Co Surveyors?
I would advise others applying to Crawford & Co Surveyors to be prepared to learn and take initiative from the start. Showing a willingness to develop your skills and get involved in different aspects of the role is important, as it allows you to gain the most from the experience.
It is also helpful to have a basic understanding of the construction industry and an interest in cost management, as this will make it easier to adapt to the role. Strong organisation and time management skills are key, particularly when balancing work responsibilities with university commitments as part of an apprenticeship.
I would also recommend being open to feedback and asking questions, as this is one of the best ways to learn and improve. Overall, having a positive attitude, being proactive, and making the most of the opportunities available will help you succeed in the role.
It is also helpful to have a basic understanding of the construction industry and an interest in cost management, as this will make it easier to adapt to the role. Strong organisation and time management skills are key, particularly when balancing work responsibilities with university commitments as part of an apprenticeship.
I would also recommend being open to feedback and asking questions, as this is one of the best ways to learn and improve. Overall, having a positive attitude, being proactive, and making the most of the opportunities available will help you succeed in the role.
