Life as an HLA

What It’s Really Like to Be a Higher Level Apprentice

Ben Hearty - Higher Level Apprentice

My Role at MTM Engineering

My name is Ben Hearty, and I am a third-year Higher Level Apprentice Quantity Surveyor at MTM Engineering. I work as a Junior Quantity Surveyor and am based primarily in the Armagh office, while continuing my studies through the Higher Level Apprenticeship programme.

As a Quantity Surveyor, I focus on the commercial and financial aspects of construction projects. This includes pricing work, monitoring costs, managing variations, and supporting projects to ensure they remain within budget while meeting contractual and quality requirements.

A Typical Week as a Higher-Level Apprentice

Each week, I focus on commercial and financial tasks related to live electrical projects. Most of my time is spent in the office working with the commercial team and assisting with live projects, with one day a week dedicated to college study.

Although I don’t regularly attend site, I have had opportunities to visit site, including a project in Sweden. These visits have helped broaden my understanding of how projects operate on the ground and how office-based commercial work links to the activity.

My day-to-day responsibilities include:

• Pricing electrical projects using Bills of Quantities (BoQs) and cable schedules

• Preparing accurate cost estimates for work with a range of companies

• Issuing and responding to RFIs to clarify scope and technical details

• Liaising with suppliers to obtain quotations for materials and consumables

• Attending weekly estimating meetings to review progress and track jobs on the estimating log

As I’ve progressed through the apprenticeship, these responsibilities have grown. This has helped me develop stronger commercial awareness and greater confidence in my role.

Learning on the Job

On the job, I’ve learned how to manage the commercial aspects of electrical projects, including effective cost control and accurate financial tracking. I’ve also developed strong communication and organisational skills, which are essential for success in a commercial role.

While classroom learning focuses on theory and calculations, on-the-job experience shows how those principles apply to real projects. Working in a fast-paced office environment highlights the importance of deadlines, accuracy, and collaboration.

Bringing college learning into real-world projects reinforces my understanding and gives purpose to what I learn in class. Seeing how contracts, measurements, and cost control work in practice builds both my confidence and capability.

Training, Mentoring & Support

I receive regular support from experienced Quantity Surveyors and the wider commercial team. They guide me through day-to-day tasks, answer questions, and help me build my skills through hands-on involvement in live projects.

This ongoing support has played a big role in building my confidence. Knowing I can ask for advice and guidance has allowed me to take on more responsibility and continue growing professionally throughout the apprenticeship.

The Team Environment & Company Culture

MTM Engineering offers a collaborative and supportive environment. The culture is professional but approachable, with a strong focus on teamwork and development at all levels.

It was very easy to settle into the team. From the beginning, I felt welcomed and supported, which made adjusting to the role and responsibilities much easier.

Looking Ahead: My Future After the Apprenticeship

Looking ahead, I aim to become a fully qualified Quantity Surveyor and take on more responsibility, including managing projects independently within the electrical sector.

The apprenticeship has confirmed that Quantity Surveying is the right career path for me. Gaining practical experience alongside my studies has shaped my career ambitions and given me a solid foundation for long-term growth in the industry.