Surveyor Apprentice Management Trainee (Site based)

Wates Group; Birmingham; On-site; GBP 20,000 - 27,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Car allowance

Private medical insurance

Health & wellness programme

26 days holiday + bank holidays

Birthday Day off

Job summary

Wates Group invites applications for a Surveyor Trainee programme, offering exposure to project costing, procurement, contract management, financial reporting and risk management across live projects.

You will work with internal teams and supply chain partners to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and commercially successful. The programme includes a technical manual, workshops and industry-recognised qualifications as part of your development.

Qualifications

• GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4/C or above by Sept 2027
• Two A-Levels at Grade D or above by Sept 2027
• Full UK driving licence required by Sept 2027

Responsibilities

• Support the commercial management of projects, monitoring costs and financial performance throughout the lifecycle
• Assist in preparation, analysis and reporting of commercial data for project teams and stakeholders
• Develop understanding of forecasting, cash flow, risk assessment and procurement processes
• Assist with subcontractor procurement and tenders, and with commercial evaluations
• Assist administration of subcontractor accounts including valuations and payments
• Maintain the financial and contractual position of projects, understanding contracts and design responsibilities
• Build positive relationships with colleagues, clients and suppliers
• Contribute to preparation and management of commercial documents and project records
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and team objectives
• Gain technical and behavioural knowledge through workshops, placements and qualifications

Skills

Commercial awareness

Team collaboration

Organisation & prioritisation

Problem solving

Education

GCSE Maths & English (Grade 4/C or above) by Sept 2027

Two A-Levels (Grade D or above) by Sept 2027

Full UK driving licence

Job description

About The Opportunity

As a Surveyor Trainee, you'll develop the commercial knowledge and practical skills needed to help manage the financial success of construction and engineering projects. Working alongside experienced commercial professionals, you'll gain exposure to project costing, procurement, contract management, financial reporting and risk management, building a strong understanding of the commercial lifecycle of a project.

About The Opportunity

As a Surveyor Trainee, you'll develop the commercial knowledge and practical skills needed to help manage the financial success of construction and engineering projects. Working alongside experienced commercial professionals, you'll gain exposure to project costing, procurement, contract management, financial reporting and risk management, building a strong understanding of the commercial lifecycle of a project.
You'll have the opportunity to work with a range of internal teams, clients and supply chain partners, helping to ensure projects are delivered efficiently and commercially successfully.

What You Will Do

Over the course of the programme, you will:

• Support the commercial management of projects, helping to monitor costs, budgets and financial performance throughout the project lifecycle
• Assist in the preparation, analysis and reporting of commercial data, ensuring accurate and timely information is provided to project teams and key stakeholders.
• Develop an understanding of forecasting, cash flow management and risk assessment processes, supporting the commercial team in identifying opportunities and mitigating risks.
• Support the procurement of subcontractors and suppliers, including the preparation of tender documentation and commercial evaluations
• Assist with the administration and management of subcontractor accounts, including valuations, payments and contractual documentation.
• Help maintain the financial and contractual position of projects by developing an understanding of contracts, legal obligations, design responsibilities and project progress.
• Build and maintain positive working relationships with colleagues, clients, subcontractors and supply chain partners.
• Contribute to the preparation and management of commercial documentation, reports and project records.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives and contribute to team objectives and business goals.
• Gain the relevant technical and behavioural knowledge for your role, through the completion of a technical manual, behavioural workshops, short-term placements and relevant qualifications.

About You

To be successful on the programme, you'll:

• Be passionate about building a career in the built environment.
• Be curious, eager to learn and committed to your personal development.
• Build positive relationships and work collaboratively with others.
• Take ownership of your work and act with integrity and professionalism.
• Approach challenges with a positive, solution-focused mindset.
• Be organised, adaptable and able to prioritise effectively.
• Be committed to delivering high standards and making a positive impact.

What's in it for you?

At Wates, we're committed to helping you build a successful career in construction. Alongside hands‑on experience in your chosen career pathway, you'll be enrolled onto a construction apprenticeship aligned to your programme, giving you the opportunity to gain an industry-recognised qualification while developing practical skills on real projects.
You'll also benefit from mentoring, structured training, behavioural workshops and support from experienced professionals throughout your programme. We encourage and support our trainees to continue their professional development through industry‑recognised qualifications and, where applicable, work towards chartership.

In Addition, We Offer

• Competitive salary
• Private medical insurance
• Car allowance
• Health & wellness programme
• 26 days holiday + bank holidays
• Birthday Day off

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for this programme, you must:

• By September 2027, you must have achieved Grade 4/C or above in GCSE Maths and English (or equivalent).
• By September 2027, you must have achieved two A-Levels at Grade D or above (or equivalent).
• A full UK driving licence is required.

Location: Cambridge and Birmingham

For site based roles, please note that the location listed in this advert reflects your initial placement and may change throughout the programme depending on project and business requirements.

Important: Travel Requirements

As a project-based business, our teams work across a variety of locations. Depending on the role, you may be required to work from different project sites within the region or nationally throughout the programme.
Please carefully consider this requirement before applying, as travel and mobility are essential parts of the role. Successful candidates must be willing to travel in line with project and business need.

Applications close on 10 November 2026

A Few Things To Consider Before You Apply

• Some vacancies might close earlier if we receive a high volume of applications, so we encourage you to apply as soon as possible
• We value authenticity and encourage you to complete your application without the use of AI tools. This helps us gain a genuine understanding of your individual strengths, experiences and potential.
• Only one application will be accepted per recruitment year. Any additional applications will be automatically withdrawn.

About Wates

Established in 1897, we are one of the UK's leading family‑owned development, building and property maintenance companies. With 6,000 employees and now in our fourth generation of family ownership, we're committed to the long-term sustainability of the built environment and to making our industry more inclusiveand representative of the communities we work in.
With multiple businesses working across the built environment, we can offer a wide range of career opportunities.
As part of our trainee programme, you'll join a network of around 200 peers, learning and working together as you build connections and develop your career at Wates.

Our Commitments

Wates is proud to be an employer where everyone can thrive, and we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.
If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process, we will be happy to support you. To discuss your requirements, please contact us at [e-mail].
Please note that some roles may require additional pre-employment checks due to the nature of the work.