With the theme for this year’s National Apprenticeship Week 2023 being ‘Skills For Life’, we caught up with our Early Careers Talent Advisor, Marie-Ange Ehrhart and some of our apprentices across the business to reflect on how our business is developing a talented workforce equipped with future-ready skills.
Marie-Ange said: “Our apprentices are highly valued across the business. To meet everyone’s needs we offer different apprenticeship routes for those either entering employment for the first time, looking to transition into a new career or those who are not keen on the idea of accruing debt while studying to help them build a career in a way which suits them. We support the development of apprentices across different pathways such as rural, commercial, and building surveying as well as business support and administration which enables the individual to complete their degree and personal qualification, whilst working with us.
“For those employed on our apprentice surveyor pathway, our graduate team helps them to achieve their professional qualification and Assessment of Professional Competency (APC) to become a qualified member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). We have a fantastic record of supporting candidates through their APC journey.
“There are lots of benefits for apprentices in our firm including both on and off the job training, real work experience, and for those on surveying apprenticeships, the same learning opportunities as our graduates and a dedicated in-house support network throughout their apprenticeship journey. Those joining us will have the opportunity to work with a wide range of colleagues and clients while being given the chance to develop and grow within a smaller team.”
Holly Topham joined us as a summer placement and is now a first-year apprentice. She is currently working towards completing a 5-year Rural Enterprise and Land Management degree at Harper Adams alongside working in our rural property management team. Holly said: “I had been researching many different chartered surveying firms throughout my gap year, whilst also undertaking different areas of work experience. Fisher German really stood out for me, they were very focused on supporting young people to join the firm and build their career.”
Jemima Cooke is in her final year at Harper Adams on the BSc (Hons) Chartered Surveyor degree apprenticeship pathway which she is studying in conjunction with a Rural Enterprise and Land Management (REALM) degree. She has been working in our Infrastructure Services Division for four and a half years working on projects with key clients such as Severn Trent and the National Grid. Jemima said: “I always knew I wanted to pursue a career in the property sector but was drawn here by the range of opportunities and the willingness to invest in my career. I have gained so much confidence, and I have been able to develop my people and networking skills even during the pandemic which was particularly challenging.
She added: “As an apprentice Surveyor I have been given so many opportunities to develop my skills in this industry. Sometimes it can be difficult to balance my work and educational priorities, I am also in the middle of drafting my submission for my Rural APC pathway which I aim to sit in the Autumn. However, I do feel I have gained many lifelong skills along the way which will hopefully help me decide about my future once I have qualified.”
Kayla-Jade Cartwright joined us as a temp in our agency team before moving into our infrastructure services team, she said: “An opportunity came up for an administrator and it was suggested that I join as an apprentice. I have gained a lot of confidence and developed my communication skills. I have received a huge amount of support and advice along the way and can safely say I truly enjoy coming to work every day. I look forward to completing my apprenticeship and looking at the opportunities available to me.”
Alice Webb, an Apprentice Surveyor is mid-way through her fourth year at Harper Adams University and is due to graduate in 2024. She found out about our apprenticeship scheme through the university website and was impressed by the number of opportunities. Alice said: “Whilst being an apprentice my confidence has grown massively. I have worked on several contracts settling compensation claims and negotiating land purchases on behalf of the client which has also enabled me to develop my communication and negotiation skills.”
Click here to find out more about our early careers and click here to see our current job opportunities.
