A lot of changes have occurred in the year or more since my previous article.
In December 2023, I started as an apprentice building control surveyor with Sweco Building Control Ltd. With this new role came new experiences, new knowledge and new processes to learn.
In my first year in a great team at the company, I have developed my confidence, improved my project management and organisational skills, and been given the opportunity to work on complex and diverse projects.
Alongside this, in the summer of 2024 I completed the final coursework modules of my building control degree with University College of Estate Management (UCEM).
These consisted of building pathology, fire safety and public safety in buildings, as well as an integrated design project and a case study. Although the degree coursework is now completed, I will conclude my degree apprenticeship in March 2025 by undertaking a formal exam and interview.
Modules focus on building defects and safety
The building pathology module covered construction techniques, methods and building defects. The focus was researching different types of defect, what the causes are and how to recognise them, including common issues in buildings, such as damp or defects with structure, roof and timber.
Understanding the causes is important in my role, as faults in construction on site can often lead to defects in future. Identifying and rectifying these at an early stage is therefore key.
The fire safety module in turn focused on key principles and how these are applied to buildings. It covered topics such as the science of fire and fire behaviour.
The assignments in this module required me to demonstrate my understanding of fire safety in high-rise buildings, involving both a presentation and written report. Fire safety legislation and guidance documents were also studied and referenced within our assignments, including the Building Safety Act 2022, Fire Safety: Approved Document B, and BS 9991.
Meanwhile, the module on public safety in buildings developed my knowledge and understanding of large public events such as concerts and sports matches, and the requirements for the buildings that host them.
The related assignments gave me experience of applying the requirements of the Sports Ground Safety Authority's Guide to safety at sports grounds, also known as the Green Guide, to a venue such as a stadium, calculating for instance the overall safe capacity.
Project and case study foster teamwork and research skills
In the integrated design project module, I had an opportunity to collaborate with several other UCEM students, working as a team to complete a number of assignments.
We were given a hypothetical project brief, crafted similar to real workplace scenarios, and we were required to provide advice on various elements of a project, to provide a comprehensive and informative presentation to an imaginary client.
We had to cover areas such as accessibility, sustainability, planning requirements, and advice on complying with the Building Regulations. I thoroughly enjoyed this module as it was beneficial in developing my teamwork skills and learning to present ideas in a group setting.
For the report I chose to evaluate the influence of Access to and use of buildings: Approved Document M on improving accessibility and inclusive design.
We were also required to undertake independent research, for which I chose to survey built environment professionals about their attitudes and insights on Approved Document M. I found these assignments challenging but extremely engaging and rewarding and was proud of my report and research.
Course requires reflection on experience
Over the past two years, as part of my degree apprenticeship with UCEM, I have been required to complete a logbook of my experiences and portfolio of projects I have worked on, reflecting on the knowledge, skills and behaviours I have learned.
I found this process to be positive and useful, as I was able to identify both where I had developed my skills, and areas where I may require further experience or support.
Throughout the past 12 months with Sweco, I have been given the opportunity to assist on a variety of building control projects. This has included works such as office and retail fit-outs, student accommodation, flats, industrial warehouses, care homes and modular buildings.
I was then able to include this project experience within my portfolio to help demonstrate the experience and skills I have developed during my apprenticeship.
My confidence in both checking plans and carrying out site inspections on commercial projects has improved as a result of this experience and the training I am receiving.
The mentoring I have received has been extremely positive, encouraging and dedicated. I have been given exercises to assess more complex plans against the Approved Documents, which I have then been able to discuss thoroughly with my workplace mentor and team – including a number of experienced registered building inspectors – in order to ensure my understanding is correct.
My technical knowledge has increased dramatically since I joined Sweco, and I am looking forward to what the next year holds in terms of project experience and professional development.
'The mentoring I have received has been extremely positive, encouraging and dedicated'
Assessment is on way to registration
As I am quickly approaching the final stages of my degree apprenticeship, I am now preparing for the end-point assessment (EPA), which will consist of my portfolio submission, exam and interview. This will take place in spring 2025.
Over the next couple of months, I will be revising and reinforcing the knowledge, skills and behaviours I have learned over the past four years in my apprenticeship to ensure I am confident when completing the EPA.
As well as the portfolio demonstrating my skills and knowledge, I will also be spending time focusing on revision exercises,such as making poster presentations, watching training videos, and taking mock exams and mock interviews.
On successful completion of the EPA and my apprenticeship, I am aiming to become a class 2 registered building inspector with the Building Safety Regulator by the summer. I am looking forward to sharing my progress and preparation for this goal – and hope my articles provide useful information for those working towards the same.
See Charlotte's series of Built Environment Journal articles on her work as a trainee building control surveyor