Jack: I'm Jack.
Isabel: I’m Isabel.
Both: And we are assistant quantity surveyors at Collins Earthworks.
Isabel: So from growing up from a young girl, my dad worked in the industry, so I've always grown up around it and found it interesting. I knew it was the career I wanted to go into. I looked into QS-ing and I found it interesting to look at the financial side of a project while also being crucial to the project development. I'm on a degree apprenticeship at Nottingham Trent University, so it consists of going one day a week to do my studies and the rest at work.
Jack: I finished secondary school, got my qualifications and I knew I wanted to go into something quite specific, and I chose a construction course. Quite enjoyed sort of touching on the financial aspects of the industry. So naturally I just went for the quantity surveying apprenticeship. So I'm working four days a week for Collins and then one day a week I’m at Coventry University. The idea is what you learn at uni as an apprentice the next day, you can maybe transfer what you've learned into your actual working day.
Isabel: Essentially as a quantity surveyor you’re managing the costs of a project, making sure it's working to its timeline, making sure it's working contractually as agreed. Estimating changes, estimating quotes. Making sure that all the clients are happy, liaising with other contractors.
Jack: Organisational skills is a big one. Because we're constantly meeting deadlines for clients.
Isabel: Being able to work under pressure and have that ability to, to make your decision when you need to.
Jack: The general consensus is when you think of construction, it's out here on site, but not many people see what we're doing in the background in the office. Obviously, you're constantly on the phone to your clients, constantly liaising with your site team about various different things. So it's really good to have that basic skill of communication I’d say.
Isabel: Just because you're a girl doesn't mean that you can't do a job like this. And it can be intimidating, obviously you are in a male dominated industry. We need people to make that change, and it's got to start somewhere. If it's something you want to go into, then don't let that stop you, regardless of your age, regardless of your gender.
