To mark National Apprenticeship Week, we’re highlighting the talented apprentices growing within the Hercules business.
What got you interested in studying whilst working at Hercules?
My A-Levels were in Math, Economics, and Accountancy. I knew I wanted to do something related to what I was studying but without sitting behind a desk number crunching all the time. I’d done a week’s work experience in accountancy, but I knew that wasn’t quite the right fit. Quantity surveying came up a few times while I was looking at my next steps, which seemed cool.
Whilst I was at Cirencester College, Chris Winfield came in to discuss Blue Collar opportunities. I approached him and asked if he had anything more aligned with mathematics, he said he’d take that back to the office and get back to me if Hercules had anything suitable.
I was invited in for an informal chat to discuss my career aspirations, and now two years in I’m completing my HNC and hoping to enroll on a Degree-Apprenticeship this year. I’m very happy that I’ve landed here. I feel like I’m building on what I’m doing every day. I’ve got some great people in the office who look after me and support me.
What does your role involve that’s exciting?
Going to sites, seeing supervisors, getting an understanding of how things are going, how much everything is costing, and taking that back to the client to recoup any additional spending. Making monthly applications for payments entails getting into the details of what we’ve done and how we’ve done it, and most importantly how much it’s all cost. I find it exciting to get onto the site and work all that out!
Using negotiation skills when it comes to managing clients’ expectations and forecasting how much things are expected to cost to prove credibility.
What have you found the most rewarding whilst working for Hercules?
Going to sites being able to steer a meeting, and having a genuine reason to be part of a team. When you’re starting, you’re doing a lot of shadowing, so it feels really good to be running things myself and given more responsibility. Having my projects and being able to run things myself with a bit of support is rewarding.
Also, when things go wrong (which they do occasionally), you feel the pain but you take the learning curve in your stride and get so much support in what you’re doing, and those learning curves feel rewarding too!
What’s been your favourite thing about your apprenticeship?
Learning the practical side – surveying, levelling, material testing, we’re about to start a module on CAD and creative design which I think I’ll find really cool!
What I’m learning at college is beneficial. That information for a QS is imperative because you need to know what you can and can’t claim for. Knowing the details and the technical knowledge is just as important as knowing how to QS.
What’s been the most challenging thing?
There were two projects that I was running simultaneously where we encountered a slight hiccup which meant that other responsibilities had to take a back seat. But I’ve had so much support in rectifying it and getting things backs on track. That was quite a steep learning curve, but I’m glad that I had that lesson early on. Ironing out mistakes early on is really good and learning how to overcome them.
What’s your well-being at work tip?
Taking everything as a win or a lesson. If something negative is happening, take it in your stride and learn from it. If something positive is happening, celebrate it.
What are your hobbies in your spare time?
Sports and live music. I play rugby, train in MMA and love going to gigs and festivals. I love socializing and being open to new experiences.
What’s next for Zach?
Hoping to enrol on Quantity Surveying + Commercial Management Degree-Apprenticeship at UWE at Level 6 and chartership gaining with RICS.
Continuing to my career at Hercules, I couldn’t see myself anywhere else! Hercules has given me some great building blocks and trusted me with given responsibilities. My team have put faith and trust in me, which has meant that I can put trust in myself and be confident in what I’m doing, and there’s a lot to be said for that!
I would also love to do some travelling in the future too!
One of the main benefits of an apprenticeship is learning as you go and experience in the work field. Getting both of them at the same time is a massive bonus
