Degree Apprentice Quantity Surveyor Review
at National Gas
Degree Apprenticeship
Surveying
Warrington, Cheshire
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:
5/5
As a Degree Apprentice Quantity Surveyor, my role is to support the commercial team in contributing to the overall success of the region. On a day‑to‑day basis, this involves a wide range of tasks, including preparing quotations, liaising with clients and suppliers, raising applications and final accounts once jobs are complete, and leading weekly project review meetings. My responsibilities are varied and allow me to develop a strong understanding of commercial and financial management within construction projects.
Alongside my role at work, I am studying towards a degree, which requires attending university one day per week. The course content closely aligns with my role as a Quantity Surveyor, allowing me to directly apply workplace experience to my academic coursework and vice versa.
There are also frequent opportunities to visit site, which helps me build strong working relationships with the operations team and site operatives, as well as gain a practical understanding of how projects are delivered on the ground. Additionally, I have the opportunity to travel to different offices, enabling me to meet new colleagues, expand my professional network, and gain a broader understanding of the business. The great thing is, at National Gas your week is what you make it.
Alongside my role at work, I am studying towards a degree, which requires attending university one day per week. The course content closely aligns with my role as a Quantity Surveyor, allowing me to directly apply workplace experience to my academic coursework and vice versa.
There are also frequent opportunities to visit site, which helps me build strong working relationships with the operations team and site operatives, as well as gain a practical understanding of how projects are delivered on the ground. Additionally, I have the opportunity to travel to different offices, enabling me to meet new colleagues, expand my professional network, and gain a broader understanding of the business. The great thing is, at National Gas your week is what you make it.
To what extent do you enjoy your programme?
4/5
I really enjoy my course and can already see how the company is helping to develop me not just as an employee, but as a person overall. I am consistently challenged through both my work and my studies, which has pushed me out of my comfort zone in a positive way.
The responsibilities I am given at work have helped me mature and grow in confidence, particularly by improving areas I was previously less confident in, such as public speaking. Being trusted with these tasks has allowed me to build skills I once felt nervous about and has supported my personal and professional development.
The responsibilities I am given at work have helped me mature and grow in confidence, particularly by improving areas I was previously less confident in, such as public speaking. Being trusted with these tasks has allowed me to build skills I once felt nervous about and has supported my personal and professional development.
Skills Development
Have you learnt any new skills or developed existing skills?
5/5
So far at the company, I've learnt and improved on many skills, naturally, with the new role. I’ve learned how to confidently represent both myself and the company when communicating with senior colleagues, both internally and externally. I’ve also become much better at responding to challenges and constructive feedback, particularly when it comes from more experienced or senior members of the team.
One of the biggest skills I’ve developed is public speaking. This was something I used to dread and often tried to avoid, as I lacked confidence and was quite shy. However, National Gas has really pushed me outside of my comfort zone by giving me opportunities such as presenting in senior management meetings.
The university course has also played a big part in developing this skill, as some elements of my coursework involve both individual and group presentations. Together, my work and studies have helped me build confidence and overcome something I previously found very challenging.
One of the biggest skills I’ve developed is public speaking. This was something I used to dread and often tried to avoid, as I lacked confidence and was quite shy. However, National Gas has really pushed me outside of my comfort zone by giving me opportunities such as presenting in senior management meetings.
The university course has also played a big part in developing this skill, as some elements of my coursework involve both individual and group presentations. Together, my work and studies have helped me build confidence and overcome something I previously found very challenging.
Structure and Support
How well organised/structured is your programme?
5/5
The support network within the company is very strong. There is a clear management structure in place, which makes it easy to know who to raise any issues or queries with. The commercial team is closely connected, so if I ever needed support, I could confidently approach any of the Quantity Surveyors or Commercial Leads for guidance and assistance.
In addition to this, there are many support functions available online, and the company does a good job of regularly reminding employees about the help that is available. This is done through daily newsletters and regular drop‑in Microsoft Teams calls, which ensures support is always visible and accessible.
Lecturers at the university are always available to help, so I can drop them an email/find them around campus for assistance if needs be.
In addition to this, there are many support functions available online, and the company does a good job of regularly reminding employees about the help that is available. This is done through daily newsletters and regular drop‑in Microsoft Teams calls, which ensures support is always visible and accessible.
Lecturers at the university are always available to help, so I can drop them an email/find them around campus for assistance if needs be.
How much support do you receive from your employer?
5/5
I feel well supported by my employer in everything I do. I have a clear understanding of who to approach and where to go if I need additional help or guidance. Regular check‑in meetings with my manager and the Head of Commercial help ensure that everything is running smoothly and give me the opportunity to raise any issues or ask for further support if needed. This ongoing communication makes me feel supported and valued within the company.
How much support do you receive from your training provider when working towards your qualifications?
4/5
I receive a good level of support from my training provider while working towards my qualifications. The lecturers are approachable and always available if I need help, whether that’s during scheduled teaching sessions or outside of class time. I can easily contact them via email or speak to them in person if I need clarification on coursework or academic guidance.
How well do you feel that your qualification (through your training provider) helps you to perform better in your role?
2/5
I think that due to the nature of my role at National Gas Services, the work itself is very niche, which can make it difficult for a university course to fully relate to what I do day to day. The university course is very good, but it is more focused on structural surveying, such as houses and buildings.
While this is still valuable, as it gives me a broad understanding of the Quantity Surveying profession and housing regulations, it is currently quite different from the work I am involved in at National Gas. At this stage, the academic content and my practical role do not closely align, although the course is still helping me build a strong overall foundation for my future career.
While this is still valuable, as it gives me a broad understanding of the Quantity Surveying profession and housing regulations, it is currently quite different from the work I am involved in at National Gas. At this stage, the academic content and my practical role do not closely align, although the course is still helping me build a strong overall foundation for my future career.
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
Yes, there are plenty of extra‑curricular activities to get involved in at work. The company offers a wide range of social, sporting, and professional opportunities, from football and running clubs to volunteering days that support local communities. There are also lots of networking events and award nights throughout the year, which are great for meeting new people and building professional relationships. Overall, there is a strong social culture, and there’s usually something you can get involved in almost every day of the week if you want to!
Recommendations & Advice
Would you recommend National Gas to a friend?
Yes
Why?
I’d definitely recommend National Gas to a friend. From my experience, it’s a really supportive place to work where you’re never made to feel like you’re on your own. There’s a clear structure in place and plenty of people you can go to for help, which makes a big difference, especially early in your career.
The company genuinely invests in your development, not just professionally but personally too. I’ve been given real responsibility, trusted with important tasks, and encouraged to step outside my comfort zone, all while knowing support is there if I need it. This has helped me grow in confidence and mature a lot since starting.
There are also loads of opportunities beyond just the day job. Whether it’s site visits, working with different teams, travelling to other offices, or getting involved in sports clubs, volunteering days, networking events, or award nights, there’s always something going on. It makes the company feel very social and welcoming, and it’s easy to get involved.
Overall, National Gas is a great balance of being challenged and being supported. It’s a positive environment where people want you to succeed, and for anyone looking to build a long‑term career while enjoying where they work, I’d honestly recommend it.
The company genuinely invests in your development, not just professionally but personally too. I’ve been given real responsibility, trusted with important tasks, and encouraged to step outside my comfort zone, all while knowing support is there if I need it. This has helped me grow in confidence and mature a lot since starting.
There are also loads of opportunities beyond just the day job. Whether it’s site visits, working with different teams, travelling to other offices, or getting involved in sports clubs, volunteering days, networking events, or award nights, there’s always something going on. It makes the company feel very social and welcoming, and it’s easy to get involved.
Overall, National Gas is a great balance of being challenged and being supported. It’s a positive environment where people want you to succeed, and for anyone looking to build a long‑term career while enjoying where they work, I’d honestly recommend it.
What tips or advice would you give to others applying to National Gas?
My main advice to anyone applying would be to be prepared for balancing work and study, as the work‑life‑study balance is a big part of being successful as an apprentice. It can be challenging at times, but it’s also very rewarding if you stay organised and committed.
National Gas has a really clear development pathway, but it’s very much what you make of it. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved, take on responsibility, and push yourself to improve, but you have to be willing to step forward and make the most of them.
If you’re driven, motivated, and want to build a name for yourself, this is definitely the place to do it. People notice when you put the effort in, and the support is there if you need it.
For the interview, I’d say make sure you’re well prepared, show that you’re keen to learn, and be as friendly and approachable as possible. A positive attitude goes a long way, and being yourself really helps.
National Gas has a really clear development pathway, but it’s very much what you make of it. There are plenty of opportunities to get involved, take on responsibility, and push yourself to improve, but you have to be willing to step forward and make the most of them.
If you’re driven, motivated, and want to build a name for yourself, this is definitely the place to do it. People notice when you put the effort in, and the support is there if you need it.
For the interview, I’d say make sure you’re well prepared, show that you’re keen to learn, and be as friendly and approachable as possible. A positive attitude goes a long way, and being yourself really helps.
