What have an ex-professional cricketer, data analyst, Government communications contract expert and a geography and geosciences graduate got in common? They have all embarked on a pioneering new apprenticeship with Solomons Europe that could see them become chartered Quantity Surveyors in just under three years.

Ryan Pringle, Carl Wright, Jack Riley and Cameron Field have all joined Northern-based practice Solomons as Assistant Quantity Surveyors while they undertake a Level 6, MSc Quantity Surveying Apprenticeship. On completing a two-year MSc Quantity Surveying course, they will embark on a final nine-month leg leading to an MRICS End Point Assessment and review. If successful they will secure much-coveted chartership – something that can typically take upwards of five years to achieve.

The tough and fast-paced apprenticeship is a first of its kind and is being delivered in partnership with the University College of Estate Management.

Victoria Clements, People and Performance Manager, said: “We’re delighted to welcome Ryan, Carl, Jack and Cameron to the Solomons team. Resilience, drive, self-motivation and capability were all qualities we looked for during the intensive recruitment process, and they’ll need that in abundance if they’re to complete what must be one of the most challenging apprenticeships out there.

“Like many sectors, Quantity Surveying is facing a skills shortage at a time when those skills are in big demand. This is our fresh and bold attempt to reskill talented people from other industries and backgrounds and supporting the next generation.”

Ryan joins Solomons’ North East team, Jack the company’s growing operation in Cumbria, while Carl and Cameron both become part of the North West team. In addition to undertaking the apprenticeship course, they will also receive in-house training and gain invaluable experience working on projects spanning power, energy, renewables, highways, infrastructure, process and utilities.

Ryan had a successful 11-year career as a professional cricketer for Durham County Cricket Club before retraining as an Independent Mortgage Advisor. He said: “I thought about Quantity Surveying at the back end of my cricketing career, but it felt like that was lost because I hadn’t studied it at university. I looked at it again this year and how I could get my foot in the door, when the advert from Solomons popped up.

“It’s going to be tough, so I’ll take things in stages and break it down into little successes. I’m very open minded on where this will take me.”

Jack has worked in a diverse range of Government communications contract roles including pilot testing of the NHS Covid-19 Track and Trace service and the implementation of the Northern Ireland protocol for post Brexit export and import procedures. The University of Cumbria graduate said: “I was generally looking for a job that would challenge me more when I came across Solomons. They sounded like a great company that invested in their people, so I jumped at it. It’s nice to have a three-year plan mapped out and that there’s the prospect of a job at the end. That’s really tantalising.”

Carl, who has had a nine-year career in data analysis roles, said: “I wanted to go into a new career that was more challenging and where I’d have the opportunity to grow. I looked at quantity surveying and thought it would give me this, and more, working on projects as part of the Solomons team.”

Cameron has both a BSc and MSc in Geography and Geosciences and has spent the last three years at the University of Tulsa, United States, on a MSc Scholarship following a successful three years running at Durham University.

“When you listen to the owners Kerry and Dom Doig, you can see their passion for quantity surveying and it ignites your passion,” he said.

“Quantity surveying is all new to me, so I’m taking things one step at a time, but in terms of a long-term target I want to be able to point to something in 10 years’ time and be proud to say I worked on that.”

The foursome is set to be joined by two further apprentices in 2022. Recruitment for positions in the Solomons’ Cumbria and North East teams is currently underway. Click here to find out more and apply.

The pioneering apprenticeships are the latest in a long line of initiatives by Solomons to develop and nurture talent. The company continues to successfully deliver career and graduate conversion schemes, provides mentorship and bespoke training, and recently celebrated the first successes of its in-house APC ‘Accountability Club’. The Accountability Club brings together like minded team members as a supportive cohort, with coaching from the company’s People & Performance Team and mentorship from the Directors and Senior Chartered Practitioners, to support them on their journey towards chartership.