QS distance learning
Discussion
Evening all,
A brief background would be to say I want to become a Quantity Surveyor and have done for some time, but can't take on a full time uni course to do so. I have no previous experience in this field. 21 years old, in full time work (customer service) and living alone.
I am therefore looking to find a distance learning course I can do while continuing to work. I know I need to get a BSc to get anywhere within the role, but it's proving difficult to find a decent, accredited distance learning course...
I found one with the university college of estate management, but it doesn't thrill me with confidence either and wouldn't like to jump at it just because it's all I can see, especially when I'm not so sure about it.. That's really about it, and I'm struggling to find any more...
Could someone please be as kind to point me in the right direction? How do I do this? Any recommendations as to where/how?
Cheers all
A brief background would be to say I want to become a Quantity Surveyor and have done for some time, but can't take on a full time uni course to do so. I have no previous experience in this field. 21 years old, in full time work (customer service) and living alone.
I am therefore looking to find a distance learning course I can do while continuing to work. I know I need to get a BSc to get anywhere within the role, but it's proving difficult to find a decent, accredited distance learning course...
I found one with the university college of estate management, but it doesn't thrill me with confidence either and wouldn't like to jump at it just because it's all I can see, especially when I'm not so sure about it.. That's really about it, and I'm struggling to find any more...
Could someone please be as kind to point me in the right direction? How do I do this? Any recommendations as to where/how?
Cheers all
why not look for companies that will take you on as a trainee QS, meaning you work for them full time and they send you to university to study one of the many part time QS courses. this is the route I went down and loved it. didnt start off on great money, but someone is employing you, and paying tuition fee's and you learn while on the job.
Many different companies you could approach, I know large main contractors, subcontractors, utilities, PQS/ consultancy firms etc.... all use these routes for trainees etc....
where in the country are you?
Many different companies you could approach, I know large main contractors, subcontractors, utilities, PQS/ consultancy firms etc.... all use these routes for trainees etc....
where in the country are you?
malks222 said:
why not look for companies that will take you on as a trainee QS, meaning you work for them full time and they send you to university to study one of the many part time QS courses. this is the route I went down and loved it. didnt start off on great money, but someone is employing you, and paying tuition fee's and you learn while on the job.
Many different companies you could approach, I know large main contractors, subcontractors, utilities, PQS/ consultancy firms etc.... all use these routes for trainees etc....
where in the country are you?
Thanks for the response, and I'm in North Wales.Many different companies you could approach, I know large main contractors, subcontractors, utilities, PQS/ consultancy firms etc.... all use these routes for trainees etc....
where in the country are you?
I have approached quite a few companies to try and get that very opportunity (ones advertising and not advertising) it would be a dream, but without experience of/or currently working in the field they don't seem interested. Bit of a catch 22... Can't get the experience as not qualified - can't get qualified that way as no experience.. to them I could be just anyone.
I'm hoping I can start a course, 5 years distance learning, and even once I'm some way into the course and have gained some core knowledge I can try to get a job as a trainee/assistant while completing the degree.
sorry, i'm based in scotland or I could've tried to help you a bit more. One problem you may have at the moment is trainee programmes/ recruitment for these type of roles doesnt usually start until the summer, with uni/college courses starting august/september, so some companies maybe just are not looking for people just now.
but businesses do take on people with zero QS experience, thats how I got the gig, saw a few Qs positions advertised in the Glasgow herald newspaper (friday was job day) applied for 3 positions, one rejection, one no reply, one interview- got the job. Now 10 ish years on I'm doing ok.
If I were you I'd get onto the RICS (Royal institute of chartered surveyors) and look at what courses are local to you. then I'd consider speaking to the college or university and try and speak to the course organiser. quite often they have contacts and may know of local businesses/companies that would be looking for staff.
I dunno who you've aproached, but worth starting at the bigger contractors and working down:
Morgan Sindall, BAM Construction/BAM Nuttal, Keir, Sir Robert McAlpine, Brookfield Multiplex, Morrison Construction/ utilities, Balfour Beatty, Doig and Smith, Arcadis, Jacobs, Mott McDonald..............
Also maybe set up a linkedin account, start trying to connect with 'managing surevyors', commercial managers, commercial directors, just directly ask if they are hiring or know if their company are hiring, the fact you know you'd like to study part time and work as a QS shows a good start.
Also dont discount recruitment consultants, have a look on a few of the job sites and see if anyone is lookig for 'assistant QS' roles etc... that way you know they like to train people up.
Good luck, I'm almost certain if you keep looking you'll find a company looking/willing to take you on as a new trainee.
but businesses do take on people with zero QS experience, thats how I got the gig, saw a few Qs positions advertised in the Glasgow herald newspaper (friday was job day) applied for 3 positions, one rejection, one no reply, one interview- got the job. Now 10 ish years on I'm doing ok.
If I were you I'd get onto the RICS (Royal institute of chartered surveyors) and look at what courses are local to you. then I'd consider speaking to the college or university and try and speak to the course organiser. quite often they have contacts and may know of local businesses/companies that would be looking for staff.
I dunno who you've aproached, but worth starting at the bigger contractors and working down:
Morgan Sindall, BAM Construction/BAM Nuttal, Keir, Sir Robert McAlpine, Brookfield Multiplex, Morrison Construction/ utilities, Balfour Beatty, Doig and Smith, Arcadis, Jacobs, Mott McDonald..............
Also maybe set up a linkedin account, start trying to connect with 'managing surevyors', commercial managers, commercial directors, just directly ask if they are hiring or know if their company are hiring, the fact you know you'd like to study part time and work as a QS shows a good start.
Also dont discount recruitment consultants, have a look on a few of the job sites and see if anyone is lookig for 'assistant QS' roles etc... that way you know they like to train people up.
Good luck, I'm almost certain if you keep looking you'll find a company looking/willing to take you on as a new trainee.
malks222 said:
sorry, i'm based in scotland or I could've tried to help you a bit more. One problem you may have at the moment is trainee programmes/ recruitment for these type of roles doesnt usually start until the summer, with uni/college courses starting august/september, so some companies maybe just are not looking for people just now.
but businesses do take on people with zero QS experience, thats how I got the gig, saw a few Qs positions advertised in the Glasgow herald newspaper (friday was job day) applied for 3 positions, one rejection, one no reply, one interview- got the job. Now 10 ish years on I'm doing ok.
If I were you I'd get onto the RICS (Royal institute of chartered surveyors) and look at what courses are local to you. then I'd consider speaking to the college or university and try and speak to the course organiser. quite often they have contacts and may know of local businesses/companies that would be looking for staff.
I dunno who you've aproached, but worth starting at the bigger contractors and working down:
Morgan Sindall, BAM Construction/BAM Nuttal, Keir, Sir Robert McAlpine, Brookfield Multiplex, Morrison Construction/ utilities, Balfour Beatty, Doig and Smith, Arcadis, Jacobs, Mott McDonald..............
Also maybe set up a linkedin account, start trying to connect with 'managing surevyors', commercial managers, commercial directors, just directly ask if they are hiring or know if their company are hiring, the fact you know you'd like to study part time and work as a QS shows a good start.
Also dont discount recruitment consultants, have a look on a few of the job sites and see if anyone is lookig for 'assistant QS' roles etc... that way you know they like to train people up.
Good luck, I'm almost certain if you keep looking you'll find a company looking/willing to take you on as a new trainee.
Malks speaks sense. You just need to have a good scout around. Someone will take you on with no experience. but businesses do take on people with zero QS experience, thats how I got the gig, saw a few Qs positions advertised in the Glasgow herald newspaper (friday was job day) applied for 3 positions, one rejection, one no reply, one interview- got the job. Now 10 ish years on I'm doing ok.
If I were you I'd get onto the RICS (Royal institute of chartered surveyors) and look at what courses are local to you. then I'd consider speaking to the college or university and try and speak to the course organiser. quite often they have contacts and may know of local businesses/companies that would be looking for staff.
I dunno who you've aproached, but worth starting at the bigger contractors and working down:
Morgan Sindall, BAM Construction/BAM Nuttal, Keir, Sir Robert McAlpine, Brookfield Multiplex, Morrison Construction/ utilities, Balfour Beatty, Doig and Smith, Arcadis, Jacobs, Mott McDonald..............
Also maybe set up a linkedin account, start trying to connect with 'managing surevyors', commercial managers, commercial directors, just directly ask if they are hiring or know if their company are hiring, the fact you know you'd like to study part time and work as a QS shows a good start.
Also dont discount recruitment consultants, have a look on a few of the job sites and see if anyone is lookig for 'assistant QS' roles etc... that way you know they like to train people up.
Good luck, I'm almost certain if you keep looking you'll find a company looking/willing to take you on as a new trainee.
Although I am London based we run a good trainee scheme. Although I imagine this years recruitment has already been done as university courses start in September.
http://www.willmottdixon.co.uk/careers/working-for...
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