Apprenticeship to Chartership: NAW 2026

We’re celebrating the journeys of two of our Chartered Surveyors, Becky Lowther and Adam Reeve, who both joined us shortly after completing their A-Levels and went on to complete become Chartered whilst at calfordseaden.

Adam and Becky are great examples of the training and development pathways available at calfordseaden. We remain committed to investing in our people, supporting them through professional qualifications, and empowering them to build successful careers.

Becky’s Experience and Advice

“Whilst completing my UCAS application at sixth form, I had doubts about going to university and was unsure if it was right for me. I saw a job notice in the school library of an opportunity as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor at calfordseaden. My uncle was a Quantity Surveyor, so I had a basic understanding of the role and responsibilities.

“I believe that balance in your learning is important in the construction industry, and my apprenticeship helped me find that balance between working and studying. I think the practical experience you gain from an apprenticeship is significant in your development. If I had the opportunity to go back and decide on my career route, I would certainly choose to do an apprenticeship again.

“I would encourage future apprentices to research potential careers, as there are so many opportunities and professions that you will not be aware of. Researching online and attending careers fairs will be beneficial in helping you decide what field you want to do an apprenticeship in.”

Adam’s Journey

“I started my journey in the construction industry after finishing my A-Levels. At the time, full-time university was not seen as an option due to the high tuition fees. Instead, my school had told me that there was an Advanced Training Programme available and I decided to take that route. At 18, I joined calfordseaden as a Trainee, which lasted five years and included part-time study towards a Quantity Surveying degree. After completing my degree, I then decided to start my APC journey, which was my long-term aim when I started my trainee programme. Balancing work and study wasn’t always easy, but the support I received made all the difference.

“After completing my degree, I set my sights on the next milestone, which was to become Chartered. I went through the APC programme at calfordseaden which involved support, document reviews, mock interviews and lots of Q&A sessions, which helped me become Chartered within 12 months of completing my degree. That moment was a huge personal achievement for me and gaining hands on experience whilst also doing a degree was really important.

“Fast forward to today, and I’m proud to be an Associate Quantity Surveyor, having been with calfordseaden for over 13 years. This path has given me new excitement as I have the chance to mentor others who are now starting their own career journeys. Looking back, choosing an apprenticeship was one of the best decisions I’ve made. It allowed me to build up my confidence, develop technical skills, and progress at a pace that suited me.”