It’s NI Apprenticeship week and to mark this occasion, we are showcasing members of Skope Projects Apprenticeship team who have been sharing their stories and the benefits of becoming an apprentice within Skope Projects.
Emma and Ryan
Emma Finnegan
It’s no surprise that Emma Finnegan wants to be a Quantity Surveyor.
With an uncle in that profession and a family in the construction business, Emma has always been interested in this line of work.
And, although already well versed in what the role entails, the Co Armagh native believes an apprenticeship offers her “more of a hands–on approach” and “a proper feel for the job”.
“I’m very interested in working alongside qualified quantity surveyors, getting to visit numerous sites and getting a proper feel for the job,” said Emma, who obtained 11 GCSEs and three A*s in her A–Levels.
The St Paul’s High School past pupil is currently studying for a degree in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management at Ulster University alongside working at Skope, the leading cost and project management consultancy.
Emma said she chose an apprenticeship with Skope, which provides health and safety consultancy services from initial design through to operational use, after careful research.
“I felt that Skope was able to offer me the experience and guidance that would help me achieve my qualification,” she said.
“To date, I have gained a lot of experience in completing valuations, contracts, initial reports, drawdown reports and bills of quantities.”
After obtaining her degree, Emma hopes to secure an Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)
qualification and then get a job with the company when she graduates.
“I really enjoy working at Skope as I feel that everyone works together as a team,” she said.
“Everyone is made to feel equal, no matter what their role is in the company and I never feel that I am a hindrance.
“Everyone is also there to help with whatever questions I may have.”
Ryan Harbinson
Experience of being a labourer when he was younger sparked Ryan Harbinson’s
interest in construction and he knew he wanted a job “being involved in the industry both from the office side of things and the actual construction side”.
“Quantity surveying allows for this balance which is what intrigued me about this career path,” he said.
The past pupil of Lismore Comprehensive School said he’d never had a desire to go to university full time, hence his choice of an apprenticeship “when choosing the quantity surveying pathway”.
That’s why he’s working while doing a degree in Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management at Ulster University.
“Skope really stood out from other firms due to the number of sectors in which it operates,” he said.
“The experience and training they could offer was of the highest quality and very varied, which I knew would play a key role in my professional development.”
Ryan, who has been with Skope for three years, has gained a lot of experience “on a number of different residential and commercial projects”.
He added: “I have also gained an in–depth knowledge in funder monitoring from working on new office developments to new warehouse constructions along with assisting and preparing bills of quantities and contract documents.”
The Portadown Southern Regional College alumnus said meeting new people and forming very good professional relationships with staff were among “the most positive things”
he’s gained from working at Skope.
“Being part of a great team has improved my collaborative working skills, along with being given personal responsibility to carry out tasks with a high standard within the office,” he said.
Ryan, who hopes to become a fully qualified chartered Quantity Surveyor,
said he hopes to continue his progress within the company in the future.
