Knowledge building

A trainee building surveyor continues to build her knowledge by taking on work that will develop her skills, as the third of our series on apprenticeships explains

Author:

Jordanne Wilson

23 February 2020

Building surveying

Learning and development

Time is passing at an alarming rate and, once again, I find myself surprised by how much has happened since I wrote my last article. The team had an extraordinarily busy summer, and my own workload was no exception. Despite this, I stayed abreast of my off-the-job training and prepared fully for the start of the second year of my building surveying degree, which resumed in September.

As part of my own personal development, I keep a spreadsheet that documents the tasks and instructions I am involved with on a day-to-day basis. Like an APC diary, this splits each day into am and pm to keep track of which service lines and competencies I am covering, and where there are gaps. By using this, I have been able to identify areas in which I could use more experience, including planned maintenance programmes (PMPs) and technical due diligence (TDD), as well as associated competencies such as Building pathology and Construction technology and environmental services.

" I continue to advocate surveying and apprenticeships to the next generation"

Since relaying this information to my team and actively seeking involvement in relevant instructions, I have undertaken multiple PMPs on a range of properties including a grade I listed office building and a shopping centre. I have also been able to assist in a full-team instruction for a portfolio of industrial and logistics TDD surveys, including lease documentation review, work shadowing and calculating budget estimate costs, and shadowed a senior team member on a TDD inspection of a 20-year-old cathedral conversion – exposing me to some fascinating construction methods and ingenious use of an unusual space.

Continuing training

In continuing to grow my knowledge of contract administration, I have likewise recently taken instruction on some insurance reinstatement works, which was the result of an HGV colliding with a warehouse wall. So far I have inspected the damaged structure, produced a specification and tender pack and issued it for approval from the insurance provider.

I have in addition revised for and subsequently passed the Construction Industry Training Board's Health & Safety Test to gain a Construction Skills Certification Scheme card; this proves that those working on site have the appropriate training and qualifications for their role. I have also completed online courses on project management and the General Data Protection Regulation, as well as attending numerous CPD seminars. This has included an intriguing workshop on fire spread and resistance in painted surfaces, particularly as it pertains to common areas in high-rise residential buildings and similar developments.

Before the academic year started, I completed my pre-lecture activities, in particular watching the first in a University of the West of England Bristol video series on residential construction, and read around the first topic of my built environment technology module, namely site appraisal and investigation.

As part of this module, I am also covering topics such as health, safety and welfare; traditional low- and medium-rise residential buildings; the Building Regulations; and building services. Outside work and study, I continue to advocate surveying and apprenticeships to the next generation. I recently sat on a panel that included apprentices from Microsoft and Oxford Biomedica at Bloxham School's annual Pathways Conference and delivered a presentation to JCB Academy's new class of year-13 students.

I am continuing my work with RICS Matrics, which has recently involved early planning for a plastic pick-up in Birmingham to reduce the potential for ocean waste, as well as assessing the feasibility and requirements for a Three Peaks Challenge in aid of LionHeart. I took part, too, in an RICS Future Talent video on the benefits of belonging to RICS Matrics.

In July, I was honoured to be a finalist in the Rate My Apprenticeship Awards 2019, in the Outstanding Degree Apprentice (Level 6) category. I was meanwhile recently shortlisted for Apprentice of the Year in RICS Matrics' Young Surveyor of the Year 2019 Awards, and I am thrilled to have been selected from among such inspirational and talented young professionals.

Jordanne Wilson is an apprentice building surveyor at Savills jordanne.wilson@savills.com