Overview of the role

Managing all costs relating to construction projects.

Construction quantity surveyor (degree)

Reference Number: ST0045

Details of standard

Occupation(s)

The occupation covered by this standard is that of a Construction Quantity Surveyor.  Typical job titles can include:  Quantity Surveyor, Construction Surveyor, Construction Cost Consultant, Cost Engineer, Cost Analyst, Cost Manager, Project Cost Co-ordinator, Project Cost Controller, Cost Planner or Commercial Manager. Construction Quantity Surveyors are associated with the financial and legal management of construction projects. They are based on sites or in offices.

Occupational profile

The main duties and tasks of a Construction Quantity Surveyor are:

  • To manage and lead the cost aspects complex construction projects
  • To ensure that comprehensive study has been undertaken of the whole life aspects of the project and the understanding of the client’s needs
  • To manage the selection of the specialist contractors for the project
  • To ensure that disputes are minimised and settled amicably for all parties
  • To manage the commercial success of a project for all stakeholders
  • To manage the expenditure and income on the project and ensure tight control is maintained whilst valuing the construction work

 

Requirements: Knowledge, Skills (and behaviours)

Knowledge 

What is required

Finance/Accounting

Demonstrate understanding of balance sheets, profit and loss accounts and business plans

Health and safety

Understand obligations for Health, Safety and Welfare issues on site, how to identify potential hazards and manage the risks

Conflict avoidance

Understand the principles for the avoidance of conflict and dispute resolution between stakeholders in a project

Sustainability

Understand the environmental impact of construction activities and how to minimise negative impacts during all stages of the project

Contract practice

Understand and evaluate construction  legislation and various forms of contract used in a project

Construction technology

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the construction process and of the materials and technology that comprise best practice

Procurement and tendering

Understand the main types of procurement and the related tendering and negotiating processes required to select specialist contractors

Measurement and costing

Understand the principles of measurement and costing of construction works and their relationship to the financial control of a project

Financial control

Understand how costs are controlled and reported on and the legal constraints

Risk management

Understand the nature of risk and its effect on the management of a project

Commercial management

Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of the financial and legal management of construction projects during the construction phase

Planning

Describe the principles of the programming and  scheduling aspects of projects during the construction phase that ensure completion on time

Skill 

What is required

Conflict avoidance

Be able to apply and evaluate the principles for the avoidance of conflict and dispute resolution such as adjudication and arbitration between project stakeholders

Health and safety

Be able to identify and manage risks of health, safety and welfare in line with legislation, hazards and safe systems of work.

Sustainability

Analyse costs and benefits of sustainability initiatives on a project

Contract practice

Be able to advise on the legal aspects of a project and the most suitable form of contract to be used to ensure fairness and efficiency

Construction technology

Be able to advise on the most suitable construction solutions that maximise value for clients and enhance the cost effectiveness of the project within the budget constraints

Procurement and tendering

Be able to advise on the appropriateness of various procurement routes and manage and report on the tendering and negotiation processes to select specialist contractors

Measurement and costing

Advise on appropriate methods of measurement of completed works and issue documentation required for payment to specialist contractors and income from client

Financial control

Advise construction team and the client on strategies to control predicted expenditure in line with the budget

Risk management

Carry out risk assessments and implement strategies to mitigate risk

Commercial management

Monitor, report and advise construction team on project cashflows and profitability.  Evaluate and advise on financial implications of decisions during the construction phase

Planning

Assess, interpret and report on progress and assist in the control of programmes during the construction phase

Behaviours 

What is required

Rules, ethics and professional practice

Understand and apply the Code of Conduct and conduct regulations, ethics and professional standards relevant to industry’s recognised professional bodies.

Client care

Demonstrate knowledge and ability to manage expectations and identify improvements

Teamworking and communication

Be able to work with others towards common goals and understand different techniques for communication and negotiation

Maintain CPD

Identify own development needs and take appropriate action to meet those needs


Duration

The typical duration for this apprenticeship is three to four years but this will depend on the previous experience of the apprentice and access to opportunities to gain the full range of competence.

Entry requirements

Individual employers will set their own selection criteria for this apprenticeship. As it requires achievement to Level 6 the typical entry requirements for this Apprenticeship will be the completion of the Level 4 Construction Quantity Surveying Technician standard; Technician status or the equivalent with the industry’s recognised professional bodies; HNC in Construction or equivalent qualifications and commensurate industry experience.

Qualifications

The following qualifications will be gained:

  • A BSc (Hons) Quantity Surveying or equivalent Quantity Surveying Level 6 Diploma that is approved by the industry’s recognised professional bodies and meets the educational requirements for the professional bodies’ full membership or chartered status.
  • Industry certificates in Site Safety Plus Site Managers’ Safety Training Scheme and Site Environmental Awareness Training Scheme which are required for safe operations in the workplace
  • English and Maths; apprentices without level 2 English and Maths will need to achieve this level prior to taking the end-point assessment.

Link to professional registration

This Apprenticeship will include the knowledge, skills and behaviours typically required to achieve full member or chartered status with the industry’s recognised professional bodies. The final assessment process for this Apprenticeship will typically be partly representative of the review process required for professional registration.

Level

This apprenticeship standard is at Level 6.

Review date

This apprenticeship standard should be reviewed three years after approval of the standard.

 


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Status: Approved for delivery
Level: 6
Degree: non-integrated degree
Reference: ST0045
Version: 1.0
Date updated: 31/05/2022
Approved for delivery: 11 July 2019
Route: Construction and the built environment
Typical duration to gateway : 36 months (this does not include EPA period)
Maximum funding: £18000
LARS Code: 482
EQA Provider: Ofqual
Employers involved in creating the standard: Morgan Sindall plc, Balfour Beatty plc, Costain Ltd, Wates Ltd, Willmott Dixon Holdings Ltd, Lendlease UK, Aggregate Industries UK Ltd, Amey LG Limited, Bouygues E & S Infrastructure UK Ltd, BAM Construct UK Ltd, BAM Nuttall Ltd, Laing O’Rourke plc, Lovell Partnerships Ltd, Kier Group plc, Byrne Brothers Ltd, Clugston Construction Ltd, Galliford Try Services Ltd, Seddon Construction Ltd, NG Bailey Ltd, SSE Contracting Ltd, Skanska Construction Ltd, VolkerWessels UK Ltd, RICS [Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors], ICES [Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors], CECA [Civil Engineering Contractors Association], Leeds College of Building.

Version log

Version Change detail Earliest start date Latest start date
1.0 11/07/2019 Not set

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