At Van Elle, we’re passionate about supporting the next generation.
During National Apprenticeship Week on Employer Tuesday, we’re highlighting how our apprenticeship programmes help students combine education with hands-on experience, setting them up for success.
Will Morgan and Cameron Storer, both Assistant Quantity Surveyors, joined the business in July 2023 as part of their placements from Nottingham Trent University, where they were studying Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management BSc (Hons).
Recognising their potential, we offered them apprenticeships that allowed them to complete their degrees while gaining valuable industry experience.
Both individuals chose to transition from full-time university studies to part-time apprenticeships in the Chartered Surveyor, Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship (Quantity Surveyor Pathway) BSc (Hons), enabling them to finish their degrees while gaining valuable skills in the workplace.
Now, they work alongside mentors, applying their academic knowledge to practical challenges, while building confidence and preparing for future career opportunities.
This decision has not only shaped their career paths but has also provided them with hands-on experience that a traditional full-time degree route could not offer.
We sat down with both of them to discuss the opportunities their apprenticeships have provided, their experiences working at Van Elle, and their advice for those considering an apprenticeship.
For Cameron, the decision to transition from full-time university to a part-time apprenticeship came after speaking with colleagues who were also on apprenticeships and experiencing full-time work at Van Elle. “I felt that the apprenticeship was a better fit for me,” Cameron shares. “Full-time uni would mean fewer hours working compared to what I was used to, so it felt like a step back.”
Similarly, Will’s decision to move into a part-time apprenticeship stemmed from his experiences during his placement. “I realised that I developed practical skills during my placement that I hadn’t developed during my full-time studies” he explains. “Through my exposure to commercial processes and actively engaging with clients, I improved skills such as time management, confidence, negotiation, analytical thinking and real-world problem solving. When considering the switch to becoming an apprentice it was easy for me to attribute these improvements to learning in a working environment which reinforced my decision to pursue the apprenticeship route.”
Weighing the options of a full-time degree versus an apprenticeship route was not without its challenges for both of them.
Cameron was drawn to the idea of earning an income while continuing his studies, especially as he considered moving out of his parents’ house. “The apprenticeship allowed me to earn money while saving quicker and gave me job security. There were trade-offs, such as having less free time and extending my degree by a year, but it felt worth it.”
For Will, the apprenticeship route was also appealing for the hands-on experience it provided. “The apprenticeship offered invaluable work experience and a deeper understanding of business functions. The extra year of learning with one day a week at university seemed like the better option,” he says.
One of the most significant benefits both Cameron and Will have found in working part-time while studying is the ability to apply their academic learning in real-world situations.
Cameron, for instance, highlights how much more meaningful his university course content became once he started applying it in his work at Van Elle. “There were many things I learned in my first two years that I didn’t think would ever be useful, but then they came up during my placement. It made things easier to understand when I could apply them in real work,” he explains.
Will, too, acknowledges the practical advantages of combining work and study. “Working part-time while studying gives me access to resources and experiences that a traditional full-time path doesn’t offer. I can apply what I’ve learned in real-world situations, get involved in business improvements, and develop life skills such as negotiation, problem solving and adaptability which aren’t typically taught in university,” he adds.
Both apprentices have found that their industry experience has been invaluable in making their university studies more relevant. Cameron notes that his apprenticeship has allowed him to become more flexible in his thinking, particularly when it comes to the challenges faced in the piling sector, which was barely covered in his degree. “The course doesn’t cover every field in construction, so having real-world experience allows me to think from multiple angles,” he says.
Will shares a similar opinion, pointing out that gaining experience as a subcontractor while learning about the processes and internal functions of both the contractor and client sides during university sessions has been invaluable. “I’ve been involved in everything from giving input during the tender stage to the final accounts and identifying areas of inefficiencies and areas for improvement. I’ve gained an insight into the workings of further business functions such as accounts, engineering, and operations that aren’t covered in my degree.”
Looking back, both Cameron and Will would recommend the apprenticeship route to students considering it.
Cameron, in particular, sees the industry experience as far more valuable than just obtaining a degree. “If I could go back, I would start on the apprenticeship from the beginning. Companies value both the experience and the degree more than just the degree alone. It’s harder to balance the workload, but it’s worth it for the career prospects.”
Will, too, is a strong advocate for earning while learning. “It’s a no-brainer, especially if you’re working toward Chartership,” he says. “You gain practical experience, build your career earlier, and have access to different types of support to help learning”
Van Elle has played a key role in supporting their apprenticeships, offering flexibility to help them balance their work and study commitments.
Cameron appreciates how the company has accommodated his university commitments, especially when assignment deadlines approach. “When my workload increases due to assignments, Van Elle has reduced my responsibilities to allow me to focus on my studies,” he says.
For Will, the support from Van Elle has been equally invaluable. “The company is very flexible, and they’ve helped me manage both work and study effectively,” he shares.
Both Cameron and Will also benefit from regular mentorship and guidance from the team at Van Elle. Cameron’s manager, Dan Mays, has been instrumental in his development, offering feedback on his work and advice on time management and organisation. “Dan has been a great asset, especially as I pursue Chartership,” Cameron notes.
Will also benefits from structured one-on-one meetings with senior managers, where they focus on his professional development and personal growth. “I’ve gained a lot from these sessions, and it’s great to feel treated as a valued team member. These sessions not only allow me to improve commercial skills, but I also gain advice on how to develop wider, transferable skills. I appreciate the opportunity to sit down with experienced leaders and gain knowledge from their experiences.”
Through their apprenticeship journeys, both Cameron and Will have gained invaluable industry insights, developed essential skills, and built a solid foundation for their future careers.
Their stories show how combining education with real-world experience can provide both academic knowledge and practical skills for success.