You’ve watched the TV show; you’ve seen the candidates compete for a £100,000 job; perhaps you’ve thought “I could do that”; but did you know that a number of surveying and construction firms have people just like you working as a Surveying Apprentice in their workplace?

Surveyors are the professionals of the Built Environment, which simply put means they are specialists of Property and Land. Surveyors are also professionals and are therefore in the same league as an Accountant or a Doctor. They have strong earning power and good career opportunities.

However, there is not just one type of Surveyor instead they are a number of specialists including Property Surveyors, Quantity surveyors and Building surveyors to name but a few. Their job is to ensure that both old and new buildings and the land they are built on are safely designed, appeal to potential buyers or renters and that the project is managed on time and to budget.

Think about it. We all live and use buildings, roads and transport on a daily basis. But did you know that for each of these activities many different types of Surveyors have helped play a part in bringing these to life and also play a key role in developing places and spaces of the future?

Surveying sounds interesting- how can I make this career idea real?

Each year, the Chartered Surveyors Training Trust (CSTT) provides up to 40 school leavers across London with a fantastic opportunity to experience the world of surveying first hand.

Focusing on an Apprenticeship training programme, trainees get stuck into real life surveying from day one, spending four days per week with their employer and one day per week at college. “Learning on the job really helps bring classroom lectures to life” says Jay Clark, a second year CSTT trainee with Colliers CRE. It also helps him to stay motivated “I get involved with a range of new projects and absorb new information all the time. I don’t go to University and just sit behind a desk, I actually get to experience Surveying for myself”.

CSTT’s main focus is to support young people who have difficulty accessing the industry on their own; due to financial, social or academic reasons. Only the most committed and enthusiastic need apply. Potential trainees are put through their paces with a rigorous assessment and in-depth interview, but once on board the benefits of the scheme are clear to see:

• A debt free training route – CSTT pays all college and university fees
• Educational Support – a dedicated Education Officer is assigned to each trainee to help achieve career and training goals
• A paid training position – your salary is paid by your employer
• A CV with a difference – building a competitive bank of practical and academic experiences

Heading for success

Paul Cacchioli, is proof that this type of training route can work. By his own admission, Paul wasn’t keen on school, in fact he couldn’t wait to leave! Without the necessary qualifications, Paul turned to the Trust for help and guidance. “It’s the best decision I ever made. During my training to become Chartered, I’ve had the chance to work on a range of national and international projects, including the British Library, Hong Kong Airport and a hotel redevelopment in Bali to name but a few”. Paul now works as Quantity Surveying Partner and has recently set up with another Surveyor, his own firm.

Learning the ropes

All sorts of people apply to the CSTT and with a range of qualifications. The length of time spent training being dependent on your academic level when you start. On average training takes between six to eight years which sounds like a life time, however the programme is structured so that you only spend one day per week at college or university studying and the rest of the time undertake real life surveying activities. All the time CSTT supports you both financially and educationally with your learning.

This sounds interesting – how can I find out more?

As a CSTT trainee you too could have the opportunity to work with some of the largest names in the property and construction industry including:

• Balfour Beatty
• Colliers CRE
• DTZ
• EC Harris
• Gardiner & Theobald

So if you think you have what it takes to be the next Apprentice and like what you have read, why not visit www.cstt.org.uk to find out more about how you can apply.

CSTT is keen to consider as many applications as possible, provided that they meet the minimum criteria:

• You are aged 16-24 years
• You have or are expected to gain 4 GCSE’s (grades A-C) in English, Maths and Science
• You are committed to working and learning in this way

Who knows, in six years’ time you too could be a professional with a great CV and salary and have started to build an exciting career future. Are you the next Surveying Apprentice?

For further information:

Chartered Surveyors Training Trust – www.cstt.org.uk
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors – www.rics.org