THE BEST POSSIBLE START FOR ALEX’S CAREER IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
Alex Percival joined Walter Thompson (Contractors) Ltd in September 2022 via the degree apprenticeship route after achieving high A-level grades. Alex is a trainee Quantity Surveyor/Estimator and is currently part of a team responsible for the construction of four different projects, ranging from care homes to high-end luxury houses.
As part of Alex’s role, he spends a lot of time in the company’s head office, based at Northallerton, where he contributes to the team by carrying out remeasures for sub-contractors, dealing with payments, and sending out enquiries. As well as this, Alex will often go out to site so that he can build up his practical knowledge, help with his remeasures, and take progress pictures.
Alex’s apprenticeship means that he spends four days a week at work and then studies with Northumbria University for one day a week. The degree apprenticeship lasts five years and will result in Alex achieving a degree in Quantity Surveying by the end of this.
Alex said: “A degree apprenticeship is perfect because it allows you to expand your knowledge every day at work whilst also studying the degree at the same time. This allows me to see what I am studying in practical situations at work.
“Walter Thompson have allowed me to have the best start possible for my career in the construction industry and I look forward to my future in Quantity Surveying”.
David Passmore, Senior Quantity Surveyor and Alex’s Mentor in the workplace, added: “Alex joined Walter Thompson in September straight after completing his A-levels. Alex is very competent and can handle himself well in the workplace. He works very well in our team and is always seeking to expand his knowledge about the construction industry.
“I believe that degree apprenticeships are very valuable in this industry as the apprentices can see what they are learning at university and apply them to what they see in the workplace.”
Walter Thompson (Contractors) Ltd, along with Tom Willoughby Ltd and Langtons (Northallerton) Ltd, is part of the FT Group of companies. You can find out more about the work of Walter Thompson here.