Alice Dudley - Quantity Surveying

My name is Alice Dudley. I am a trainee estimator at Speller Metcalfe, Malvern.

0:11

The apprenticeship is a great way of approaching a career. It means I learn on the job. So I get to put everything I

0:18

learn at university into practice. I learn skills that are relevant to the role, whether that be presentation skills that I don't always learn in the workplace.

0:30

My name is Vicky Thompson. I'm a senior estimator and I work for Speller Metcalfe Carve here in Malvern. The reason we took on a BCU apprentice. It's fantastic to

0:38

be at the start of somebody's journey in their career in construction and it's excellent to be able to help mould them in the business and the business needs.

0:46

We are currently in a module where I'm learning construction terms and the whole process of how to build a residential house. I am involved

0:54

throughout the whole process of a construction tender. So it means a job will come in, I help price it, I contact subcontractors, and then when it goes

1:02

onto site, then I'm involved in that side of it. So it's a great way to learn about the whole construction process,

1:08

not just focused on one aspect. Alice's confidence has really increased as well.

1:12

We've seen it particularly when she talks to clients, to internal teams, and to subcontractors. She's helped support our tender process, which ultimately

1:19

means we can turn around more bids and increase profit for the business. Having Alice in the pre-construction office has been a real bonus. um for our

1:27

productivity. She's become a really capable pair of hands and he's starting to take on lots more tasks independently. So the benefits of

1:35

learning at university and then learning in the workplace is you get this well-rounded understanding. I see the industry as it changes as new

1:43

legislation comes in. I'm on the front line of understanding that we'd highly recommend that other employers take on a BCU degree apprentice. Alice has been fantastic and

1:52

the support that we get from BCU has been unrivalled. If you're planning on starting an apprenticeship, go for it. It is the best thing I have done. At the

2:00

end of it all, I'll have a degree, a charter ship, and a full-time job.

Meet Alice Dudley, a trainee estimator completing her Quantity Surveying degree apprenticeship through Birmingham City University (BCU). Working at Speller Metcalfe in Malvern, Alice is gaining valuable hands-on experience in the construction industry while studying towards her degree.

“The apprenticeship is a great way of approaching a career. It means I learn on the job, so I get to put everything I learn at university into practice.”

As part of her role, Alice is involved throughout the construction tender process, helping to price projects, contact subcontractors and support work once projects move onto site. This allows her to understand the full construction process rather than focusing on just one stage in the process.

“It’s a great way to learn about the whole construction process, not just focus on one aspect.”

Find an apprenticeship

Browse the apprenticeship courses we offer at Birmingham City University

Apprenticeship courses

Alice’s employer has also seen the benefits of bringing a BCU apprentice into the business. Vicky Thompson, Senior Estimator at Speller Metcalfe, says the company values supporting new talent at the start of their careers:

“It’s fantastic to be at the start of somebody’s journey in construction and to help mould them within the business and its needs.”

Through her apprenticeship, Alice is building both her confidence and professional skills, working with clients, internal teams and subcontractors while gaining a well-rounded understanding of the industry.

Her advice to anyone considering the same path is simple - “If you’re planning on starting an apprenticeship, go for it. It’s the best thing I have done. At the end of it all, I’ll have a degree, chartership, and a full-time job.”