'A Week in the Life of a Quantity Surveyor' gives students insight into VolkerFitzpatrick's Dirac Building project
VolkerFitzpatrick recently welcomed students from Nottingham Trent University (NTU) to its Quantity Surveyor programme for the 5th year running at the Dirac Building project in Cambridge, giving them the opportunity to experience life on a live construction project and gain first-hand insight into the profession.
Supporting the next generation of quantity surveyors
Members of the commercial team, including Aidan Swain, Ben Palmer and Fred Jones, led practical exercises and shared first-hand insight into the role of a quantity surveyor on a live construction project.
Hosted by members of the Dirac Building commercial team, the programme combined classroom-style workshops with site-based learning, helping students bridge the gap between academic study and industry practice. Throughout the week, students explored key commercial processes, gained insight into project delivery, and learned about the collaborative nature of working within a live construction environment.
The Dirac Building, located at St John's Innovation Park in Cambridge, is a six-storey commercial office development that will provide high-quality workspace for science, technology and research organisations. Through site tours and interactive sessions, students were able to see how commercial decisions directly influence the delivery of complex projects.
Learning from a live construction project
During the visit, students gained an insight into the day-to-day responsibilities of a quantity surveyor on a live construction project. The programme combined presentations, interactive workshops and site-based learning, giving students the opportunity to explore commercial management processes, procurement activities and project delivery challenges. The sessions encouraged students to apply their academic knowledge in a practical environment while learning how project teams work collaboratively to manage cost, programme and risk throughout construction.
The Week in the Life of a Quantity Surveyor programme forms part of VolkerFitzpatrick's commitment to supporting education, early careers and social value initiatives. By connecting students with industry professionals and live project environments, the programme helps bridge the gap between academic study and professional practice.
Commenting on the event, Hayden Scarth, Managing Surveyor, said:
"Supporting future talent is an important part of what we do at VolkerFitzpatrick. The programme gives students an opportunity to see how the concepts they're learning at university are applied on a live project, while also helping them better understand the variety of rewarding career opportunities available within construction. It was great to welcome the students to the Dirac Building and see their enthusiasm for the industry."
NTU welcomed the opportunity for students to gain direct exposure to industry professionals and live project environments.
"The 'Week in the Life of a Quantity Surveyor' event not only provided the chance for students to meet an experienced and knowledgeable team, but also gave them a fresh, modern and current insight into the world of construction."
Our final year QS students at Ntu were delighted to be invited back for a 5th year to VolkerFitzpatrick to undertake the Week in the life of a QS programme .Our students really engaged in activities on site and during the presentations at NTU including pricing variations and looking at the construction industry and the business generally. It was also positive to see a QS student from last year’s programme being used as an example of gaining employment after attending the week. We look forward to working with VolkerFitzpatrick for many years to come and offering this opportunity to our students in the future!
Wayne Clarke Course Leader QSCM
With its continued success and growing impact, the programme is proving to be an invaluable bridge between education and industry — equipping future quantity surveyors with the insight and confidence to thrive in their careers.
Well done to everyone involved!
