Trainee Quantity Surveyor Bernard ‘Fredy’ Siewe has embarked on a degree apprenticeship course with Esh Construction after completing a successful year out placement.
Sheffield Hallam University student Fredy joined Esh Construction’s civil engineering division 12 months ago and has worked across key active travel projects – namely Sheffield Road Cycleways, Maltby Bus Corridor, and Broom Road – on behalf of Rotherham Metropolitan Borough Council.
Throughout his time with the team, Fredy has not only gained a deeper insight of quantity surveying but has been able see first-hand how other construction roles tie into his potential career pathway. He said “I’ve really benefited in the last 12 months of developing the skills and information I had learned at university and applying them in a real-life work environment. I’ve also been able to understand more about estimating roles and progression into more senior commercial roles.
“One of my key learnings has been about the preparation and planning that goes into major projects. I wasn’t previously aware how much work was involved both from the office and site teams to get projects off the ground as well as key considerations needed around road closures for the laying of Tarmac or repairing damaged kerbs in project handovers.
“I’ve really developed my knowledge of NEC contracts and how they are used between subcontractors and Esh as the main contractor when carrying out additional works and applying payment options.”
Such has been Fredy’s enjoyment in the role, that he has opted to change his career route. Rather than completing the final year of his Quantity Surveying degree, he will instead remain with Esh to undertake a degree apprenticeship in Construction Quantity Surveying.
Fredy has joined the site team on the M181 Southern Junction project, where Esh is constructing a new roundabout to the west of Scunthorpe on the M181 motorway, including realignment of Burringham Road, drainage ponds, outfalls, landscaping and associated re-profiling works.
He added: “While my career ambitions haven’t changed – I’ve always been optimistic about quantity surveying – I have been able to see wider opportunities through my placement with Esh. Doing the degree apprenticeship here I know I will get the support from the team to help me take the next steps in my career.”
Matthew Roulson, Senior Quantity Surveyor at Esh Construction, has mentored Fredy’s progression through the last 12 months. He said: “Fredy has performed well and learnt to undertake a number of tasks both successfully and independently, with a keenness to better understand the projects we are working on for his own personal development.
“His desire to continue working with Esh via the degree apprenticeship route hopefully speaks for itself on how the placement has been for both employer and employee. Having undertaken a placement year myself, and now overseeing our third successive year placement quantity surveyor student in Yorkshire, I know how valuable it can be to gain industry experience and set yourself up for that first full-time role in the industry.”
While my career ambitions haven’t changed - I’ve always been optimistic about quantity surveying – I have been able to see wider opportunities through my placement with Esh. Doing the degree apprenticeship here I know I will get the support from the team to help me take the next steps in my career.”