We spoke to Elise Crawford, trainee quantity surveyor with AECOM

Can you describe your role in a few words?

My role involves being able to really understand a client’s needs to help effectively cost a project.

What were you doing prior to your Apprenticeship?

I was doing A- levels in maths, physics and economics

What was your perception of the sector before you started your apprenticeship?

I thought it was a sector that was always developing and changing, which really appealed to me. I definitely presumed buildings were constructed much more quickly than they actually are and that there were much fewer people involved than there are.

What interested you in joining AECOM?

I thought AECOM would be a great company as it is multinational and delivers such a wide range of different infrastructure so I thought I would get a lot of opportunities to work on different projects.

What are the key things you’ve learnt so far in your job?

I think for me one of the main things I’ve learnt is that you should always double-check everything. Also, things take time, so be patient, and probably the most important – constantly speak to your client!

What is the most exciting part of your role?

I really enjoy getting to visit the projects that I am working on.

What would you like to do after completing your apprenticeship?

I would love to work overseas at some point.