Placement Quantity Surveyor Review

I enjoyed my placement year with Kier. I felt like I learned an immense amount about the job and the company. I was given a large amount of responsibility which I am glad of as it tested my skills and allowed me to maximise my opportunities to learn about quantity surveying.

I certainly felt very valued by my colleagues, I received credit when my work was good and successful and also received plenty of support when I needed it. Everyone was very willing to lend a hand or offer support when I was needing it. Glad to have made some good friends on the job.

Kier has been outstanding on the extent I was given guidance by management and supervisors. My mentors readily made time available to me to ask questions and offer guidance on my next steps weather that be short term and current task related or future development related. I am very grateful to all of my mentors this year.

Towards the beginning of my placement I would often find myself pestering my supervisors for work, which was a bit difficult at times. As the year went on my responsibilities increased and I became very comfortable with the responsibilities of a Q S and I found myself creating my own work. I was very busy towards the end.

I was given an excellent amount of responsibility. This included looking after high value packages and managing their costs. I was also doing various bits of procurement, including procuring subcontractors as well as procuring a materials order for the external works. One of my biggest highlights was being tasked with liaising with project funders and potential tenants to assist their needs.

This has given me an excellent opportunity to visualise what I've been learning in the lecture hall to what actually goes on on site. I intend on using my newly gained site experience to better understand what I am asked to learn in my final year of university. I am looking forward to returning new hands-on knowledge.

There was a generally ok atmosphere in the office. It was sometimes a bit dull and moral was struggling at times as the project was struggling also. Had some good laughs at times but it wasn't that lively that I couldn't concentrate on the task at hand.

I had issues with finding out where my placement was going to be based. I only found out 3 weeks before start that I was to move from London to Manchester and had to find a place to stay. I was also asked to do this on the basis that I had not even signed a contract yet. I also was not paid for my first 3 weeks which put a further financial burden on my head. Other issues with my on boarding such as being put on the wrong tax code and paying my student loans when I hadn't even graduated.

The company invested a huge amount in my training and development. I was sent on a number of training days which I learned a huge amount on. In terms of development I had opportunities to sit down with management to discuss my next steps. Was very impressed with the training and development at Kier.

Working with Kier in the future is hugely appealing. At the end of my placement I was sat down by a manager who offered me a place with that business unit for when I graduated. This was great news to get and I am very glad of the opportunity to work with Kier in the future.

Unfortunately I was the only placement student in my region and we did not have many staff nights out except the Christmas party. A lot of my colleagues where living in a difficult location which made it hard to meet up. I was very please when everybody turned up for a pint on my last day however!

The cost of living was expensive and socialising quite expensive. I was living just outside of Manchester which is still cheaper than London in comparison! There is lots to do and it's great that in the North West of England you are in good driving distance from a number of good cities.

Manchester is well known for its nightlife scene. It was great and I had a few really good nights out. Filled with great clubs, pubs, and other great places to go. Would highly recommend the city to anyone who's considering doing their placement in the North of England.

There where a few good opportunities to get involved in activities outside of work. Kier did bowling and go karting nights for example. One of my personal highlights was being given the opportunity to climb Mount snowden for charity with a bunch of my colleagues. Was a really good day out for a great cause.