Our apprenticeships are all about giving young people the skills, knowledge and experience to take forward with them in their careers. Today for National Apprenticeship Week, we caught up with Assistant Quantity Surveyor, Chloe Drury, who tells us more about her journey and the learning and development opportunities she’s been given.
Tell us a bit about your time as an apprentice
I joined Livv as a Quantity Surveyor Apprentice in 2018. I chose quantity surveying because I was always good at maths and my mum and dad also had their own construction company, so I knew it was something I was interested in.
I’d just left high school so the transition from being at school with your friends every day to working in an office environment was quite scary! I think I struggled with this for a while at first but the people at Livv were so welcoming, they helped me to settle into my role. In my first year, I did a Level 3 qualification in Business Administration to set me on my way.
You then went on to secure a permanent role. Can you tell us more?
My initial apprenticeship contract was only for one year so I was nervous when it was coming to an end because I didn’t know what would happen next. I wanted to keep working for Livv as it’s a great organisation to be part of and I knew that there would be opportunities and support to help me progress further into my role if I was kept on.
I was grateful when my apprenticeship contract was extended for a further two years, in which I went on to study for a Civil Engineering diploma at the City of Liverpool College. This helped me gain knowledge about the construction world which helped me in my day-to-day work. After I completed my apprenticeship, I was offered the permanent role of Assistant Quantity Surveyor.
You’re currently studying for a vocational course at university. How did that come about and how’s it going?
I wanted to continue developing my knowledge of the construction industry and I saw the journey that my colleague Lee went on. So, I raised the question with HR and luckily, they were more than happy to help.
I’m currently doing a part-time HNC Construction and Property vocational course at Liverpool John Moores University. I’m now in my second year at university then once I’ve finished, I’ll progress on to the three-year Quantity Surveying degree course.
Who has supported you along the way?
I’m very lucky to have had this opportunity given to me and to have such a supportive team around me. I’m very fortunate that Lee has just been on the same pathway as me as he’s always there to help me when needed (although he never shares his answers with me!). He’s been a great mentor to me since I started here.
My manager, Alison, has also been a role model for me and encouraged me to grasp this opportunity. She continues to support me every day and help me out whenever I need her.
This year’s National Apprenticeship Week theme is ‘Skills for Life’. What was the most valuable lesson or skill that you learnt during your time as an apprentice?
Learning how to adapt from that transition between school and work.
Also being able to communicate better. When I first started, I’d always email people as I was afraid to call them. But I learned by speaking to them, this is the most effective way to communicate, and you’ll get the answers you need quicker too.
Where do you see yourself in the future?
I’d love to leave university with a First and become a fully qualified Quantity Surveyor. Then I’d like to make my way up to a Senior Quantity Surveyor and see where this takes me. I know I want to stay at Livv as there’s always opportunity to progress here.