Job Description

Ready to lay the foundations for your career in the built environment?

We’re excited to launch our Apprentice Class of 2026, offering a range of apprenticeship opportunities:

Apprentice Quantity Surveyor

Southend, Essex (hybrid)

Starting September 2026

As an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor, you’ll be part of real projects from day one, learning directly from experienced professionals across both the public and private sectors. And the best bit? You’ll earn a degree without the debt—we cover all your university fees while you gain valuable industry experience.

If you’re curious, motivated, and ready to learn, we’ll give you everything you need to build an exciting long‑term career.

Why choose this apprenticeship?

• We’ll fully fund your Quantity Surveyor Degree with a leading university

• We’ll support you to achieve Chartered status with RICS (our pass rates are well in excess of the national average!)

• You will get involved with real project work, take responsibility and make a real impact

• You’ll work with a dedicated buddy, supportive line managers and a network of fellow apprentices

Interviews are scheduled for week commencing 8 June 2026

What you’ll be doing

You’ll learn at University and on the job - working alongside our experts as you:

• Visit sites with colleagues to carry out surveys, inspect defects, and support refurbishment projects

• Help prepare reports, specifications, and contract documents

• Assist in the production of estimates and cost plans by producing quantities for our measurement software

• Support tender processes and analyse tender information

• Assist with project handovers, snagging checked and quality assurance

• Assist with reviewing valuations on site to understand progress against contract sum analysis and project cash flow

• Provide support and develop understanding in basic contract administration duties

• Complete design checks and other reviews connected with funding and client requirements

• Review sites to identify risks and report back to senior colleagues

• Maintain tracker documents and keep project data up to date

• Communicate with clients, contractors and other partners to keep projects running smoothly

What you’ll need

Qualifications

• 5 GCSEs (or equivalent) grades C+ or 4+ including English and Maths

• Equivalent to 112 UCAS Tariff points at level 3 (ideally including a maths related subject) or Advanced Diploma in a construction related topic

Knowledge

• Confident using Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Outlook, Powerpoint)

• Some knowledge of building construction or a genuine enthusiasm to learn more

• A willingness to understand standard forms of contract (including the JCT suite)

• UK driving licence and access to transport

Skills

• Professional, proactive and open to constructive feedback

• Good people skills including experience of delivering excellent customer service

• Strong attention to detail and analytical thinking

• Good time management and the ability to stay calm under pressure

• Good verbal and written communication

• Ability to use your own initiative

Apprenticeship eligibility

To apply, you must have the right to work in the UK as we’re unable to sponsor Apprentices. You won’t be eligible if;

• You already hold a higher-level qualification in the same subject

• You already have the skills, knowledge and behaviours taught during this Apprenticeship

• You will still be in full time education in September 2026 (including another Apprenticeship)

• The Apprenticeship duplicates learning you’ve already completed

Who we are

We’ve been in operation for 85 years and have offices across the UK. We’re a leading multi-disciplined construction and property consultancy, offering expertise in building and quantity surveying; project management; building information modelling (BIM); Architecture; M&E engineering; fire consultancy and more. You can find out more about our work on our website www.calfordseaden.com

Our values guide everything we do:

• Collaboration Being one team and supporting each other to achieve the best results and maximise our potential.

• Authenticity Being true to ourselves and others and celebrating our differences.

• Giving Back Recognizing and embracing the need for our work to have a positive social impact.

• Excellence Striving to be up with the best and at the forefront of what we do.

• Support Providing investment, encouragement and support to bring out the best in our People.

• Integrity Being honest and doing the right thing

Our People and benefits

We’re proud to hold the Investors in People Gold award, showing our commitment to developing and investing in our team. When you join us, you’ll benefit from:

• Hybrid working

• 25 days’ annual leave (plus the option to buy and sell leave)

• Up to 10 days’ unpaid leave

• Pension scheme

• Employee assistance programme

• Gym discounts

• Flu vaccinations

• Enhanced family leave

• A supportive, friendly culture with people who genuinely want you to succeed

We’re an Equal Opportunities Employer and welcome applications from all backgrounds.