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- Highly technical work, helping deliver major building projects and developments
- You'll need excellent problem-solving, organisation, maths & IT skills
- Opportunities to progress into senior technical roles or switch into management or self-employment
As a technical surveyor you'll normally work with architects, engineers, or chartered surveyors, helping to make sure building projects are planned and delivered successfully.
DAY-TO-DAY DUTIES
- Drafting plans using CAD software
- Estimating and drawing up project costs
- Gathering and analysing data for plans and reports
- Assisting with environmental impact assessments
- Surveying buildings or mapping land use
- Valuing land, property and machinery
- Organising the sale of assets by auction
- Supervising construction operatives on site
- Scheduling workloads
- Monitoring the progress of projects
DAY-TO-DAY ENVIRONMENT
Early starts, late finishes and weekend work can be common, depending on the project, and your time will often be split between office and on-site work.
You'll need
For this role you'll need excellent problem-solving skills, maths skills, IT skills, especially for computer-aided design (CAD) work, communication and negotiation skills.
To get started you could do a surveying technician advanced apprenticeship or a construction quality surveying technician higher apprenticeship. Or you could do a relevant foundation degree, higher national diploma or degree in a subject like construction, building surveying, civil engineering then apply for jobs.
Alternatively, you could take a college course to learn some of the skills needed for the job, which may help when applying for a trainee position. Relevant courses include a Level 3 Diploma in Construction and the Built Environment, Level 3 Diploma in Engineering Surveying, and Level 3 Diploma in Civil Engineering for Technicians. You could also do a T level in Design, Surveying and Planning.
CAREER PROSPECTS
With experience, you could become a self-employed consultant, or go into partnership with a chartered surveyor. Or, you could train to become a a chartered surveyor, move into a managerial role, or into a related job like town planner or wayleave officer, where you'll negotiate land purchase and access arrangements for utility companies.