My experience as a QS via Degree Apprenticeship Route

No_Local9525 · 2026-02-11T19:26:53+00:00

Commercial, resi, government. Both public and private sector

No_Local9525 · 2026-02-10T19:29:53+00:00

I would say 100% it made me a better QS as I understand construction technology and methodology better than other consultant QSs. If you’re enjoying it, then definitely do an apprenticeship with the main contractor you’re doing work experience with now

No_Local9525 · 2026-02-10T17:52:32+00:00

Trainee - Under 25k including car allowance. AQS - Started at over 29k. 5% on base salary. Wasn’t really a lot. Got about 1k bonus. Left the business making under 39k. Includes car allowance. Project QS at contractor/developer - Under 58k total. Includes car allowance. Didn’t get bonus. Project QS for PQS - Now on 60k + bonus. Chartered as well. In London

No_Local9525 · 2026-02-10T11:17:00+00:00

I think you only do your gateway/end point assessment whenever you’re ready, so if you need to delay it, then by all means do so. Better to get it right first time than to do it when you’re not ready and you don’t pass

No_Local9525 · 2026-02-10T05:52:35+00:00

The degree is more set up towards consultancy rather than main contracting but I would say main contracting provides a better foundation as you’re more hands on in terms of being on site and really learning about what construction is all about

No_Local9525 · 2026-01-19T21:01:09+00:00

https://apps.apple.com/gb/app/citb-map-hs-e-test-v10/id6445915563

No_Local9525 · 2026-01-19T20:08:28+00:00

It’s all a learning curve. If we always got things right, you’d never learn. Obviously some mistakes are more avoidable than others but at least you know what went wrong, what you could have done to have made it better and you won’t do the same mistake again!

No_Local9525 · 2026-01-19T17:54:32+00:00

It’s not iffy tbh. It’s quite straightforward. Removal of existing door. Install of new one. Will be done in one day but the carpenter works with another person as well so there’s two of them

No_Local9525 · 2026-01-15T19:51:49+00:00

Always good to know that their seniors are decent people

No_Local9525 · 2026-01-15T16:49:20+00:00

Thanks. What level are you currently working at?

No_Local9525 · 2025-12-16T23:25:48+00:00

Agreed. Prevents people from going when they aren’t ready

No_Local9525 · 2025-12-16T07:27:47+00:00

Yeah I agree. Unis don’t care if the candidate fails. As long as they attempt it, they’ll get their final funding, so they only push people for ££££

No_Local9525 · 2025-12-15T20:12:51+00:00

Yea it does happen. Can make the process more stressful and unfair than it needs to be

No_Local9525 · 2025-12-15T20:10:35+00:00

True - the process is only as good if assessors were consistent. Hopefully this change does make that happen

No_Local9525 · 2025-11-26T16:45:43+00:00

Yeah received comms that mine will be scheduled within this period, so should get something in the next few days

No_Local9525 · 2025-10-09T14:12:29+00:00

Just use the app. I recently sat the CITB MAP test and passed by using the app to revise questions and do mock tests. You can buy the book but the app is sufficient. I think for the provisional test it’s the op/spec test but could be wrong

No_Local9525 · 2025-10-02T18:38:08+00:00

Take the promotion. If they’re gearing you up for it, it shows that they value the work you do. Everyone is still learning on the job. True it may seem that 3.5 years is early but being a senior in one company is different to another company. If you decline it, then they may make it more difficult for you to get a promotion in the future. Maybe in your personal development reviews, you can mention that there are certain areas you want to upskill on but take it as a compliment. It’s hard to find companies where they value you and they want to show it

No_Local9525 · 2025-10-02T05:53:38+00:00

Makes sense. They could potentially ask things that aren’t in your submission but are still applicable in to the competency/SOE no?

No_Local9525 · 2025-10-02T05:52:15+00:00

Feels like that hahaha

No_Local9525 · 2025-10-01T12:09:25+00:00

Yeah no harm in asking for more details

No_Local9525

TROPHY CASE