The first cohort to undertake a ground-breaking apprentice programme at Quantity Surveying practice Solomons Europe are celebrating passes and promotions.

Cameron Field, Carl Wright and Ryan Pringle have passed the Level 7 MSc in Quantity Surveying and secured promotions to Intermediate Quantity Surveyor.

The trio started a tough and fast-paced ‘MSc Apprenticeship Plus Programme’ two years ago – a new approach which is being delivered by the University College of Estate Management (UCEM) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) alongside enhanced training through Solomons Europe’s in-house Future Skills Academy.

In addition to on-the-job experience working with Solomons clients, the programme includes a Level 7 MSc in Quantity Surveying, Level 6 Apprenticeship qualification and MRICS End Point Assessment and review. If successfully navigated, the programme offers the prospect of securing much coveted RICS Chartership.

The programme has been developed in a dual bid to drive the continued growth of the Northern-based SME while at the same time help to address the acute nationwide skills shortage in the Quantity Surveying profession.

Dominic Doig, Managing Director of Solomons Europe, says: “I’m incredibly proud of Cameron, Carl, and Ryan for this fantastic achievement. Their promotions are well deserved and testament to their hard work, determination and resilience.

“This programme is extremely challenging for those who have come from different professions or starting fresh from university. Since day one, they have been hungry to succeed and have shone in both their academic work and as part of teams supporting some of our major clients. I’m looking forward to seeing them flourish further over the coming months as they bid for RICS Chartership.

He added: “Quantity Surveying is facing a skills shortage yet demand for the profession’s commercial and procurement expertise is at an all-time high. We pride ourselves on the industry-leading and innovative approaches we bring to the table to help our clients to deliver project excellence and maximum socioeconomic impact.”

Cameron Field joined Solomons’ North West team after returning from the University of Tulsa, in the United States on a scholarship programme. With a BSc and MSc in Geography and Geosciences under his belt, he is currently working with a client in the nuclear sector on a series of complex electrical upgrade projects.

He says: “I’m delighted to have secured both the MSc and promotion. Looking back on how far I’ve come since starting with Solomons two years ago, it’s extremely rewarding to reach this goal. During this time, I’ve continued to grow and gain confidence in my client role, and I’m motivated more than ever to take the next step and secure Chartership.”

Carl Wright, who was a data analyst before deciding on a change in career, works for a client providing highways maintenance services nationwide. Earlier this year he scooped the Postgraduate Apprentice of the Year Award at UCEM’s second annual Built Environment Apprenticeship Awards in recognition of both his course achievements the support he provides to fellow apprentices.

Carl says: “I’m absolutely over the moon to have completed the MSc and it’s amazing to be to be promoted to Intermediate Quantity Surveyor. Both Solomons and UCEM have been extremely supportive during what has been a very busy two years and I feel really proud to have completed this challenge. It’s now on to my next goals – becoming Chartered while continuing to progress internally at Solomons.”

Former professional cricketer Ryan Pringle, who played for Durham, has been administering legacy contracts for plant and site services and, more recently call off orders under a bespoke framework agreement on a major mining project in the North East.

He says: “I’m absolutely delighted for not just for myself but the rest of the cohort. It’s been an extremely challenging few years adapting to a new role and industry while juggling my academic studies and I’m extremely grateful for the support and guidance I’ve received from the team at Solomons on both of these fronts. I’m excited to be turning my attention to progressing through the APC pathway and working towards further promotion as a Project Quantity Surveyor.”

The pioneering ‘MSc Apprenticeship Plus Programme’ is one of a number of initiatives being delivered by Solomons to develop and nurture talent. Others include successful career and graduate conversion schemes and in-house Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) ‘Accountability Club’, which provides expert support for team members on their journey towards securing RICS chartership.

Learn more about our apprentice programme and our apprentice’s journey with Solomons so far by clicking here.