From Classroom to Construction Site: Josh Byrne on His Quantity Surveying Degree Apprenticeship at Whitefox Chartered Surveyors
22-year-old Josh Byrne is in the fourth year of his five-year Quantity Surveying Degree Apprenticeship at Whitefox Chartered Surveyors, based in Bournemouth, and he’s got a clear view of what it takes to succeed in this fast-paced, hands-on career. We caught up with him to hear about his journey, what life as an apprentice is really like, and his plans for the future.
Starting Out
Josh jumped straight into the apprenticeship at 18, fresh from sixth form at QE school in Wimborne. “I wanted to avoid a purely desk-based career,” he explains. “I was good at maths, so I thought about economics or accounting, but quantity surveying gave me the perfect mix of numbers and real-world construction.”
His apprenticeship programme is a blend of work and study: one full study day a week at the University of Portsmouth, alongside full-time work at Whitefox. Over five years, he’s building towards a BSc (Honours) in Quantity Surveying and preparing for his APC chartership interview with the RICS, due in November 2027. “Most of the coursework is practical,” he says, “reports, essays and the like, with few exams. It really mirrors well what we do in the workplace.”
Learning on the Job
The first couple of years were all about observation and learning from colleagues. “I spent a lot of time shadowing at the start,” Josh says. “Now, I have the opportunity to do lots of independent working. The support that I receive from all the team at Whitefox has been absolutely brilliant.”
Being a visual learner, Josh thrives on hands-on experience. From smaller refurbishments to bigger projects like “Bobby’s” he’s seen firsthand how the numbers on paper translate to real buildings. “There’s no better way to learn than being on-site,” he adds.
Why an Apprenticeship Works
For Josh, the apprenticeship route has been a huge advantage. “Going straight through university usually means you spend a further two years post-graduation gaining experience before you can become chartered,” he explains. “With the apprenticeship, you integrate work and study from day one, so by the time you finish, you’re ready for chartership, and of course with no student debt!”
Looking Ahead
Josh isn’t stopping with his apprenticeship. He said ‘’My priority is to achieve my APC and continue developing strong technical and commercial skills. Longer term, I want to progress into roles with increased responsibility and exposure to more complex projects, where I can keep learning and adding value.’’ He added that a Master’s in construction law could be an option should he wish to continue his education, a niche field with strong career prospects. “It’s a challenging area, but it’s in demand and rewarding to find solutions to different types of projects.”
Advice for Future Apprentices
Balancing work, study, and personal life is the biggest challenge, Josh admits. “Time management is everything,” he says. “Take weekends off to recharge. If you try to do everything all the time, you’ll burn out.”
Josh’s journey shows that with focus, determination, and hands-on learning, a quantity surveying apprenticeship can be more than just a way to earn a degree, it’s a fast track to a fulfilling career in construction.
Anyone interested in finding out more about an Apprenticeship or career at Whitefox Chartered Surveyors is urged to contact e: info@whitefoxgroup.co.uk