An important step towards addressing the skills gap in the region, the provision of this nationally recognised qualification means that employers in the North will be able to tap into high quality training from a renowned training provider for their employees.

The Survey Association is very pleased to welcome Zenith Training, which joins Riverside College in Widnes, Cheshire, Dudley College in the West Midlands and T3 Training at Mid-Kent College in offering this apprenticeship.

Geospatial apprenticeship for school leavers, surveyors and career-changers

The Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician Apprenticeship is not only suitable for school leavers who are new to the survey profession, it is also excellent training for those with some survey experience or for career changers, looking for an accessible route into a geospatial role.

Apprenticeships provide a great way to develop staff, supported by substantial government funding. Survey companies can feel confident that geospatial apprenticeships are a cost-effective way to ensure their trainees gain the full range of knowledge, skills and behaviours required to become competent, knowledgeable surveyors.

Apprenticeships are evaluated through an End Point Assessment, which can comprise multiple-choice or written examinations, project reports, a portfolio of work, and a professional interview.

Recruiting a geospatial apprentice

If you want to register your interest in this Level 3 Apprenticeship with Zenith Training or discuss participation in it, please contact Zenith directly by emailing info@zenithtraining.org.uk or calling 0191 428 6555.

Remember that all survey companies can advertise apprenticeships free of charge on TSA’s website here. They can also advertise on the government’s own apprenticeship website here, as well as using their own website and social media for promotion.

To learn more about geospatial apprenticeships, please contact Katie Holt at katie@tsa-uk.org.uk.

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Stronger networks, stronger profession

The major events we create for our members continue to grow in scope and attract increasing numbers. This year’s AGM at Wembley saw nearly 60 survey businesses represented. As well as enjoying vibrant round table discussions on subjects close to our members’ hearts, including equipment theft, education and skills, fees and client education, the afternoon ‘Robot Wars’ session, along with the stadium tour added to the collaborative feel and opportunities to network.

Last month’s Conference and Awards Day was the best attended event in TSA’s history and we were delighted with the positive feedback from members, The Survey School delegates and the apprentices who attended. Mandy Hickson’s presentation was truly awe-inspiring, with fantastic insights into leadership,teamwork and members left armed with insights that directly improve their businesses. Plans are now well underway for our TSA AGM in March 2026 at Twickenham with the aim to continue to build community but also provide a place for members to contribute, inform and be informed.

In May next year we will also be returning to Utility Week Live. This will build on the progress we made in attending Europe’s only pan-utility exhibition this year to promote our PUMA scheme and talk to clients about the importance of best practice and raising standards when it comes to delivering surveys that comply with the PAS128 specification. TSA will also be offering more valuable CPD sessions to clients, working hard to raise standards and promote the vital importance of geospatial skill and expertise.

Tackling challenges head-on

2025 has also seen the establishment of our new partnership with NCATT (National Construction and Agriculture Theft Team), a dedicated unit within Northumbria Police, to address the continued threat of equipment theft, the consequences of which affects everyone involved in the geospatial profession. We have joined the Donor Group, which consists of the Construction Equipment Association, Construction Plant Association and Hire Association Europe, as well as insurers and suppliers. We are working closely with NCATT on this pressing concern for the good of all survey businesses and we look forward to sharing news of action being taken.

Relentlessly investing in the future

TSA funded the original project to create both Level 3 and Level 6 Trailblazer Apprenticeships for those wishing to train and gain a recognised qualification in surveying. We continue to be absolutely committed to supporting the roll out of Geospatial Apprenticeships across the country and it was fantastic having three apprentices attending last month’s Conference and Awards Day to receive the inaugural Best Apprentice awards. We are delighted that we now have T3 Training, along with Riverside and Dudley Colleges offering the Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician Apprenticeship and we look forward to reporting further good news on this front in the weeks and months ahead.

Members of The Survey Association enjoy the benefits of recognition across the survey profession and stay up-to-date with the latest professional insights, guidance, and technologies.

To find out more about becoming a member, please go to https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/membership/.

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It was the best attended event in TSA’s history and the buzz in the room was palpable.

“It’s not the plane, it’s the pilot”

Introduced by TSA President, Claire Fenwick, our keynote speaker was the utterly inspirational Mandy Hickson, one of the UK’s first female, fast-jet pilots and now a world-class facilitator, coach and speaker. She shared details of her extraordinary career with her highly engaging presentation. As well as some amazing photography and footage from her RAF days flying the Tornado GR4 and patrolling the ‘No Fly’ zone over Iraq, she also included tips she learned on the front line regarding teamwork, leadership under extreme pressure and resilience.

In addition to telling delegates some fascinating anecdotes, she made what she had learned about herself and others’ behaviour both relevant and thought-provoking for her business audience.

The famous quote from Top Gun:Maverick, ‘it’s not the plane, it’s the pilot’, is just as relevant to surveying as it is to the world of fast jets.  It’s not the equipment, it’s the surveyor – the skills, experience, qualifications and training of a surveyors makes all the difference and is the foundation on which everything else flows from.

After spending time answering audience questions, she also signed a number of copies of her bestselling book, ‘An Officer, Not A Gentleman’.

Award winners from The Survey School

Following the keynote speech and a short break, Vice President Oliver Viney led the Awards part of the day. As well as presenting certificates to this year’s cohort of students from The Survey School who have completed Courses 62, 63 and 64 of the two year TSA Surveying Course, three of these students were given particular recognition for their achievements.

Theodor Suhan was awarded the Vice President’s Special Recognition Award, having achieved an overall Distinction for the course, while his final assignment was described by tutors as exceptional.

Simon Hamlyn, Chartered ICES CEO, presented the award for the CICES Prize for the Best Assignment to Luke Appleton of Archidata, who achieved a perfect score of 100% for his faultless final assignment.

Kevin Smith, Managing Director at Hexagon Geosystems / Leica Geosystems, co-sponsor of the Best Student Award, presented Max Heaton of Centara with this award, noting that with a final course average of 93%, Max ranks among the highest achievers since the course began in 2001.

Level 3 and Level 6 Geospatial Apprenticeships awards winners

Once The Survey School graduates had received their awards, it was time to recognise the exceptional achievements of students undertaking Geospatial Apprenticeships. Led by TSA Members and former TSA Council Members, Lucy Powers and Richard Maltby, through the Geospatial Apprenticeship Trailblazer Group, TSA has played a pivotal role in coordinating and developing the recently updated and relaunched Level 3 and Level 6 Geospatial Apprenticeships. These awards stand as a testament to TSA’s enduring commitment to its belief that “every young person should know about land surveying as a career.”

The outstanding apprentices who were recognised in our awards ceremony were three individuals who represent the very best of emerging talent in our profession:

• Ryan Wilson, from Dudley College of Technology whose employer is Solihull Council
• Dylan Bradley, from Riverside College, Widnes, employed by Formby Surveys
• Owen Teesdale, from the University of East London, studying the Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship, employed by Hampshire County Council.

Following the awards, there was plenty of time to enjoy networking over lunch, catching up with delegates and making new connections, before departing in the afternoon.

Members were delighted with the day, providing effusive feedback:

“The keynote speaker always provides thought provoking insights into things that can improve both the business, but also personal development. These speakers have provided real triggers for change within how we deliver leadership within the business, so thank you for investing in such quality speakers.”

“The general buzz was contagious, and I left feeling very excited and motivated about our profession.”

“I believe that (the day) created a very tangible sense of achievement in the students that were receiving their award. You could see the pride on their faces.”

“It was very motivational!”

“Mandy Hickson was tremendous.”

“The networking opportunities were great.”

Benefits of TSA Membership

For the latest news about our exclusive events for members, please go to https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/events/. Discover more about the raft of benefits of TSA membership and how it helps our members build a better business, at https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/membership/

The post TSA Conference and Awards 2025 appeared first on The Survey Association.

UPDATE 2026: Check out www.becomeasurveyor.com for all the routes into geospatial surveying.

After students have caught their breath from exam season and enjoyed a well-earned break, it’s time for them to make some big decisions. Results season is upon us and it’s a moment for seizing opportunities and planning out future career paths. In this article, we’re going to look at the next steps for students who have a desire to work in the surveying profession and one of the ways for them to ‘earn while they learn’, as apprentices on the path to become a surveyor.

Recognising potential

It’s often presumed that you need formal surveying qualifications to become a surveyor, but this isn’t always the case. One path is to apply for a trainee position at a surveying company. Employers will often recognise potential in candidates and put them forward for apprenticeship roles. August results season means that many 16 and 18-year-olds will be currently looking at their options and may be exploring the appeal of professions such as surveying – so it can be pretty competitive, which employers need to remember.

Equally rewarding

Apprenticeships can be rewarding both for the candidate themselves and also for their employer. Having the opportunity to learn from professionals with a great deal of experience is a major plus of becoming an apprentice. But by the same token, having a new apprentice can bring focus to an existing business and invigorate current staff. Apprentices can help businesses move with the times and also prepare for the future, with new blood bringing new enthusiasm and ways of thinking. Apprentices of school and college age may be more au fait with the latest mobile technologies, and these are becoming an increasingly important part of the workplace. Issues like data sharing and communication advances in surveying over the last two decades are continuing in the digital age. And of course, apprenticeships contribute to the continuation of a business’s legacy into the future.      

Balanced learning to become a surveyor

One of the great appeals of apprenticeships is that the learners will be attending a course for part of their time (either on a day release, or block release basis), so the onus for training isn’t placed totally on the business all the time. Every apprenticeship is built around a government-approved standard, which sets out the knowledge the student will gain, the skills they will develop and the behaviour they are expected to demonstrate in their role.  Those most relevant to survey companies are the Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician and the Level 6 Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist Degree Apprenticeship.

Apprentices learn skills at a college, university or training centre, and then implement them in the workplace, providing the perfect balance between learning and earning. Apprenticeships also address the skills gap, at a time when there is a huge shortfall in skills, trades and professions across construction and its affiliated sectors. Becoming an apprentice will also eventually lead to an academic qualification, such as the TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Geospatial Surveying for the level 3 apprenticeship and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) degree in level 6.  

Where to start to become a surveyor

There are many ways to find out about the apprenticeship opportunities available to students following their exam results. They may already be aware of opportunities, thanks to careers advisors, or jobs fairs, or advice from parents or peers. Or they may already have an interest in construction as an option and have researched how to access further training and qualifications. If you visit TSA’s website, there’s a whole page devoted to apprenticeship opportunities here https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/apprenticeships/ and there’s much more information on our News pages too https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/news/

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There is much discussion of the importance of apprentices and why businesses should support their education. In this article, we look in more detail at how apprenticeships can help address the profession’s skills gap crisis, and bring multiple benefits to surveying companies:

1. Apprentices are good for business

As a cost-effective way of investing in your staff to support your business in the future, apprenticeships are the way forward. Apprentices will be passionate to learn, bringing new passion and drive to your business.  Apprenticeships can be for new recruits and they can also be used to upskill existing staff.

2. Teaching apprentices tackles the skills gap

The future of your business lies with inspiring and training the next generation. Taking on an apprentice, who is ready and willing to learn from more experienced members of the team, is a sure way to make sure that the skills that are essential for our profession are passed on.  It can also benefit the mentor of the apprentice as it helps to consolidate their knowledge and can be very rewarding to pass on skills to the next generation.

3. Provides a legacy for your business

Taking on an apprentice who is motivated to remain loyal to your company throughout their career will help build a legacy for your business.

4. Helps your business move with the times

Each generation has a greater understanding and mastery of technology, as it becomes more engrained and an essential part of surveying. Apprentices can bring a new, fresh perspective to your business on how best to utilise emerging technologies and therefore new ways of working and winning business. They can also help pass on their knowledge to other staff.

5. You can receive business support

Taking on an apprentice is a big commitment. However, the government covers 95–100% of apprenticeship training costs, making it one of the most affordable ways to develop staff:

• Levy-paying employers (annual payroll over £3 million) can use their levy funds to pay for training
• Non-levy employers pay just 5% of the training cost, with government covering the rest.

If you are upskilling existing staff, you continue to pay their salary as normal. There is no requirement to reduce pay when someone becomes an apprentice. This makes apprenticeships a powerful retention and development tool—particularly for team members stepping into new responsibilities.

6. Kickstarts a new career

Inviting an apprentice to join your business can help jumpstart a career, as apprenticeships  require learned on-the-job experience to allow them to qualify. From GCSE age to postgraduate there are qualifications through levels 1-7, with the most relevant to land survey being  the Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician apprenticeship and the Level 6 Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist (degree level).

7. The pressure’s not all on you

Apprentices don’t spend 100% of their time learning solely from your company. They will attend college, either a day a week, or in blocks of one or two weeks, with the rest of the time spent with the company learning on the job. This two-way support enables the apprentice to put into practice their theoretical learnings in the workplace, but also take back their new-found practical skills and knowledge to their coursework. This ensures a balanced education to enable apprentices with the best chance of being ready for the real world of surveying.

8. We can help

You can find out lots of detail about apprenticeships work on our website here https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/apprenticeships-your-questions-answered/ where we have answers to some of the most often asked questions and loads of useful links for more information.

9. Advertise for an apprentice

The Survey Association offers a free service to promote your apprentice requirements. So whether you’re looking for a Land, Utility or Hydrographic Surveying apprentice, showcase what your company has to offer and attract the best apprentice talent here: https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/apprenticeships/

10. There are going to be some changes

The UK Government has reformed the way apprenticeships are delivered and funded in England. From 1 August 2025, there are going to be significant updates to apprenticeship funding, coming into effect for new apprentice starters.

Some of these changes include the minimum duration of an apprenticeship reducing from one year to eight months, to boost faster qualification, and from 1 January 2026 there will only be Levy funding available for new starting apprentices aged 21 or younger – older apprentices must be self-funded by the company supporting them. For more information for how this might impact your business visit: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/apprenticeship-funding-rules-2025-to-2026

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UPDATE 2026: Check out www.becomeasurveyor.com for all the routes into geospatial surveying.

Contrary to popular belief, apprenticeships are not just for young people starting their careers. Apprenticeships are one of the most cost-effective and impactful ways to upskill your existing staff, drive performance, and support retention.

Whether you are recruiting new talent or investing in your current workforce, our guide breaks down how apprenticeships work and what to expect as an employer.

What’s included in an apprenticeship programme?

Every apprenticeship is built around a government-approved standard, which outlines:

• Knowledge the learner will gain
• Skills they will develop
• Behaviours they are expected to demonstrate in their role.

Knowledge, Skills and Behaviours, (KSBs) are developed through a mix of on-the-job training (in the workplace) and off-the-job learning (delivered by a training provider, such as a College, University or Private Training Company). 

The standards (outlining the curriculum) are all outlined on the government website which can be found here.

Embedded within the apprenticeship is an academic qualification – the TQUK Level 3 Diploma in Geospatial Surveying for the level 3 apprenticeship and a Bachelor of Science degree in the level 6.

Who delivers the training?

Only approved providers can deliver apprenticeships. These are listed on the Apprenticeship Provider and Assessment Register (APAR). Depending on the provider, training may be delivered via:

• Block release (e.g. two-week college blocks)
• Day release (e.g. one day per week at university)
• Online/blended options (increasingly common and useful for existing employees)

Example providers for Geospatial Apprenticeships are:

Level 3 – Geospatial Survey Technician

• Dudley College of Technology (block release)
• Riverside College, Widnes (block release)
• Suffolk New College, Ipswich campus (day release)
• Other colleges coming on board

Level 6 – Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist (Degree)

• University of East London (day release during term time)
• Other options coming soon

If you’re looking to develop internal talent, speak to your training provider about flexible delivery models that suit working professionals.

Where do I advertise to take on an apprentice?

When recruiting new staff as apprentices, you can advertise through:

• Find an Apprenticeship – GOV.UK
• Your training provider (they often promote roles for you)
• Your own website, social media, or recruitment channels
• Sector-specific sites (e.g. The Survey Association for geospatial roles)

If you are using apprenticeships to upskill existing staff, there is no need to advertise—just identify the right individual and enrol them onto the relevant apprenticeship standard with your chosen training provider. 

How much supervision or support is needed?

Apprentices (whether new or existing staff) need a structured support system to succeed.

As the employer, your responsibilities include:

• Appointing a workplace mentor or supervisor
• Supporting regular 10–12 weekly reviews, also known as tripartite meetings, involving:
  • You (or the mentor)
  • The apprentice
  • The training provider

These reviews are required under ESFA (Education and Skills Funding Agency – part of Department for Education) funding rules and help ensure that progress is monitored, issues are addressed early, and the learning stays aligned to workplace needs.

When upskilling current staff, this structure reinforces their development and allows for real-time application of skills in their role.

You can learn more about your responsibilities as an employer here:
Your responsibilities as an employer – GOV.UK

What are the first steps to hiring or upskilling through apprenticeships?

Whether you’re hiring new talent or developing someone already on your team, the steps are largely the same:

1. Choose the right apprenticeship standard for the role or upskilling need
2. Find an approved training provider
3. Set up a digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account
4. Recruit a new apprentice or select an internal staff member
5. Enrol the apprentice with the provider
6. Sign the apprenticeship and training agreements

Using apprenticeships to upskill your team can align perfectly with progression plans, restructure projects, or digital transformation efforts.

How much will it cost?

The government covers 95–100% of apprenticeship training costs, making it one of the most affordable ways to develop staff:

• Levy-paying employers (annual payroll over £3 million) can use their levy funds to pay for training
• Non-levy employers pay just 5% of the training cost, with government covering the rest

If you are upskilling existing staff, you continue to pay their salary as normal. There is no requirement to reduce pay when someone becomes an apprentice. This makes apprenticeships a powerful retention and development tool—particularly for team members stepping into new responsibilities.

How are apprenticeships assessed?

All apprentices complete an End-Point Assessment (EPA) at the end of their programme to demonstrate full occupational competence.

An EPA may include:

• A professional discussion or interview
• Practical assessments or observations
• A portfolio of evidence or project presentation

The EPA is carried out by an independent End-Point Assessment Organisation (EPAO)—for example, Verge365 for geospatial roles.

More information on EPAs can be found here: End-point assessment guidance – IfATE

Useful Links and Resources

• Hire an apprentice – GOV.UK
• How to take on an apprentice – GOV.UK
• Employing an apprentice – GOV.UK
• Set up an Apprenticeship Service Account – GOV.UK
• Employer responsibilities

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Activity on the day will be getting up to date on education and skills and the need to identify exactly what is needed to make further progress in meeting the challenge of recruiting, training and providing a qualification pathway for young people in the UK who are interested in pursuing a career in geospatial.  As a profession, we need to understand what the next steps are that everyone can take, in order to build on progress already made.

This inaugural Geo:Influence event is taking place at Dudley College on Wednesday 14^th May from 10.00 until 13:00. We are delighted to say that so far sign-ups include representatives from a wide range of surveying and civil engineering companies, along with educational and academic institutions.

A panel will lead the discussion and update delegates with current excellent progress on the important education and skills initiatives already being put in place. However, the focus is very much on creating a tangible plan to take away, with key action points for everyone to carry out.

Katie Holt, TSA Manager, who has been one of the main organisers of the event, says:

“We are centring this day around identifying ways in which we can all work together to come up with effective solutions to improve education and skills in the geospatial profession. I am delighted with the enthusiasm expressed by many of those planning to come. We’re looking forward to an exciting and energising day!”

The agenda for the day is as follows:

09:30                Refreshments

10:00                Welcome and panel updates from key contacts

10:30                Discussion in groups

11:15                Break & networking

12:00                Feedback & actions

13:00                Lunch & finish

If you are interested in attending this event and collaborating with others to find effective ways to improve skills and opportunity within the geospatial profession, please contact office@tsa-uk.org.uk.

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An apprenticeship is a job that enables individuals to earn while they learn.  Apprentices spend the majority of their time in the workplace, where they learn new skills, but a proportion of their time must also be spent doing off the job training.  Apprentices may attend college, either on a day release basis or on block release, where they go to college for a week or more at a time and then go back to their workplace.

All apprenticeships are designed by a group of employers, known as a Trailblazer Group.  The group will have agreed between them an outline of the job role covered as well as the duties carried out by someone in that role.  An occupational standard will have been produced that summarises the occupation, as well as listing the knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs) needed by someone carrying out that role.

There are various levels of apprenticeship (Levels 1 to 7), from GCSE level up to postgraduate level. The main apprenticeships relevant to geospatial and land surveying are:

• Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician apprenticeship (equivalent to A level)

• Level 6 Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist apprenticeship (degree level)

• Level 7 Spatial Data Specialist apprenticeship (postgraduate Masters level).

Apprenticeships: a great way of training staff

Apprenticeships are a great and cost-effective way of training staff, with significant funding from the government.  Many companies find the geospatial apprenticeships a valuable method for ensuring that trainees have all the required knowledge, skills and behaviours to be a well-rounded surveyor.

Apprenticeships are assessed via an End Point Assessment – this can consist of multiple choice or written tests, project reports, project portfolio and professional interview.

It is not complicated to register apprentices and there is a lot of support available from the colleges and universities that offer the qualifications. This is a useful website https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/employers.

Look out over the coming weeks for our series of articles looking in more detail at how apprenticeships can benefit survey companies and help address the skills gap.

Join our online apprenticeship webinar tomorrow

To find out more about the Level 3 Geospatial Apprenticeship and the funding available, join our information webinar tomorrow Wednesday 26 March from 1pm – 1.45pm (link below) to hear more about what is involved in an apprenticeship and how to go about taking on an apprentice. Employer and profession experts will be joined by college tutors to answer all your questions.

Join the meeting now
Meeting ID: 346 808 189 430
Passcode: bT398xu9

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With National Apprenticeship Week 2025 (NAW 2025) taking place from 10 – 16 February this year, it seems a good time to look at the crucially important role that apprenticeships have in upskilling the next generation of workers looking for a career within the land surveying profession.

Benefits of apprenticeships

There are apprenticeships for so many different types of careers these days. As land surveying is a very hands-on and practical profession, apprenticeships provide a very important route into it. The apprentices benefit from the advantage of earning while they are learning – and the learning combines attendance at a college (either day release or block release), with working for an employer – including time on site, as well as in the office. 

While there are some things where the classroom environment is best, many of the practicalities and intricacies of the profession can be better explained – or rather shown – in a real-life environment, which makes an apprenticeship the obvious solution. Apprentices will work with experienced surveyors, who share their knowledge and expertise, ensuring it is not lost in the generational shift.

The Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician apprenticeship and the Level 6 Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist degree apprenticeship and both perfectly suited to land survey companies, with content developed by a group of employers to suit their needs.

The WIFM factor

In return, the ‘what’s in it for me’ (WIFM) factor for employers, is the opportunity to be able to help shape their apprentices to meet the needs of their particular organisation, instilling the culture and the processes from the start. Providing an apprenticeship place will also breed loyalty with the apprentice – and even if they go on to work elsewhere, they will always remember the company that gave them their first taste of the profession.

NAW 2025

National Apprenticeship Week is a week-long celebration that brings together businesses and apprentices across the country to shine a light on the positive impact that apprenticeships make to individuals, businesses and the wider economy. The Department for Education has announced that the theme for National Apprenticeship Week 2025 is ‘Skills For Life’. The skills gap is something the land surveying profession is very aware of and a key objective of The Survey Association is that, ‘every young person should know about land surveying as a career’.

For more information on NAW 2025 visit https://naw.appawards.co.uk/ and to find out more about opportunities within the land surveying profession, visit https://www.tsa-uk.org.uk/.

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Apprenticeships are a great way for people who may not have formal qualifications in a specialist industry to gain first-hand experience and knowledge. In the surveying profession, this can mean being taken on as an apprentice surveyor by one of our many member companies. In this blog, we’re weighing up the options available when it comes to apprenticeships and the advantages of entering the profession this way.   TSA has supported the creation of a Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician Apprenticeship and also a Level 6 Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist Apprenticeship.

A defined career path

Apprentices can come from a variety of sources. They might be school leavers, university graduates or post-graduates, or they can join from related or unrelated sectors, with a view to a career change using their transferable skills. They can be from any age group, but are often younger people seeking a formal and defined career path.

There are many advantages to becoming an apprentice. One of the biggest positives is the fact that they will be earning while they are learning, which is clearly very useful – rather than perhaps accruing debt at university. Apprenticeships will also involve gaining training and qualifications, which can be carried out while working. Often these credentials can then be used as a springboard to higher level professional qualifications and career advancement.

Experience is priceless

Another advantage is that apprentices will be learning from surveyors with experience. Having colleagues and mentors with a vast array of experience in all kinds of disciplines will ensure the apprentices are witnessing at first-hand the high standards of the industry. The next generation of surveyors and also their parent companies are both benefitting from knowledge-sharing. In this way, apprenticeships guarantee both quality and longevity, and contribute to helping our members build a better business.

You can tailor apprenticeship training to suit your business needs and also improve staff retention at the same time. But with modern techniques and equipment evolving over time, apprenticeships can also develop new skills within the workforce.  

As they gain more experience and qualifications, apprentices can attend The Survey School, which is part of TSA. There they can undertake professional courses at the UK’s only commercial training centre that provides training to the land survey profession. The TSA Surveying Course is accredited by The Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors and the School runs a series of short technical courses, ranging from two to five days in duration.

There are of course discounted rates available for members of the TSA at The Survey School, so there are clear advantages to seeking advice or opportunities with TSA membership practices. TSA advertises job opportunities to its network of members too. And you never know, the apprentices you take on today might well become the TSA members of tomorrow.

If you would like to find out more about apprenticeships and what they can do for your business, or as an individual would like to approach a TSA member with a view to becoming an apprentice, then get in touch with us today.

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