Surveyor Higher Apprenticeship 2027

Wates; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 24,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Private medical insurance

Car allowance

Health & wellness programme

26 days holiday + bank holidays

Birthday Day off

Job summary

Wates in the United Kingdom is offering a Surveyor Trainee programme designed to build the commercial knowledge and practical skills needed to manage project costs, procurement and contractual documentation across construction and engineering projects.

You will work with experienced commercial professionals and internal teams, developing forecasting, cash flow management and risk assessment capabilities while supporting subcontractor procurement and project reporting.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

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.

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

• 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, Birmingham

For site-based roles, 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 10th November 2027.

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.