At Greyfriars, we’re committed to supporting young people who want to build careers in the construction and built‑environment sector. With skills shortages continuing across the industry, it’s important to give students real opportunities to learn, explore the profession and see where their interests might take them.
This year, we welcomed our first T Level placement student, Kitty. T Levels offer a great route for anyone interested in technical careers, combining classroom learning (equivalent to three A Levels) with a 315‑hour industry placement. It’s a chance for students to put what they’re learning into context and gain experience in the workplace.
Meet Kitty: Our First T Level Student at Greyfriars Cost Management
We sat down with Kitty to hear about her journey so far, her ambitions, and what it’s been like stepping into the world of quantity surveying.
We’re really excited to have you here as our first ever T-Level student at Greyfriars Cost Management, how does it feel stepping into that role?
I feel very fortunate for the opportunity, everyone at Greyfriars have been incredibly welcoming- they have always made me feel like a part of the team and have made my first experience of Quantity Surveying and working within the office environment extremely positive. It’s exciting to know that I’m helping create a pathway for future T-Level students as immersion is the best way to learn.
How did you hear about Greyfriars and what made you want to undertake your work placement with us?
I first heard about Greyfriars through Construction East, who supported me into my placement, I had the opportunity to meet Rebecca and Louis at the Bright Futures Live Event before my interview. Speaking with them gave me a really positive first impression of the company. They had a genuine interested in my goals, and career development which made Greyfriars stand out straight away as a supportive environment and I’ve since learnt is reflective of the whole team. I chose to complete my placement here because of the company’s reputation, the supportive culture I experienced, and the opportunity to gain exposure to quantity surveying work from the outset. As it is a growing consultancy, it felt like the kind of environment where I could learn quickly, ask questions, and be able to complete meaningful tasks rather than general admin as I begin my career.
Which parts of quantity surveying are you enjoying the most?
I’m really enjoying the variation within quantity surveying, because it means I’m learning something new every week. Having exposure to different areas from supporting bid writing and preparing cost estimates to helping with planning tasks and day‑to‑day project administration has given me a broad understanding of how the construction industry works. The variety of responsibilities has helped me build both technical knowledge and practical skills, and I can already see how these experiences will make me a well‑rounded QS as I progress in my career.
Which skills or competencies are you hoping to build on and how are you planning to approach them?
I would like to gain site experience in order to see how the work I complete from drawings translate to a building site, this will enable me to gain a better understanding of the processes of construction works, I am approaching this by completing the CSCS qualification. I’m also keen to expand my knowledge of preconstruction, variation accounts and applications for payment, by developing commercial skills this will provide me with a comprehensive understanding of the industry and Quantity Surveying.
What is your favourite project or piece of work you have undertaken at Greyfriars so far?
My favourite project so far is the Drayton Pavillion because I was able to assist with bid writing process, which gave me my first experience of being involved with a project from the beginning. It’s the first scheme I’ll be able to follow from conception to completion, to see first-hand how the process works and enabled me to understand how a project is shaped before it reaches site. I’m learning the impact of early decisions of cost, programme and delivery and it’s exciting to have the opportunity to follow it through each stage and see how the work I complete in the early stages translates into real construction and becomes a valuable asset to the local community.
What’s the best part of starting your career in a small, growing consultancy like Greyfriars Cost Management?
The best part of starting my career in a growing consultancy is the level of exposure I have been able to gain so early on. I am able to learn from everyone across GCM and GPM. I can see the work I complete make a difference and been involved in projects and meetings that in a larger organisation I would not have access to. Learning directly from Tim has been especially valuable- he has given me the opportunity to ask many questions and understand “why” and “how” decisions are made, this has allowed me to expand my knowledge rapidly.
What advice would you give to someone considering a career in quantity surveying?
My advice would be to follow the a T-level or apprenticeship route because it builds confidence, communication and technical skills from day one. My work experience has been invaluable allowing me to apply what I learn in college directly to live projects; this has given me a strong foundation I wouldn’t have gained from the classroom learning and theory alone.
Looking Ahead
We’re incredibly proud of how much Kitty has grown during her placement. She’s contributed across a range of projects and brought real enthusiasm to everything she’s worked on. As a small business, we’re committed to giving more people the chance to gain practical, hands‑on experience and to play our part in developing the future workforce of the construction industry.
Our plan is to welcome at least one T Level student each year as part of our wider early‑careers pathway, alongside our existing traineeships and new apprenticeship programme.
For more information on our early-career opportunities, please visit: Internships, Traineeships & Industry Placements – Greyfriars | Project and Cost Management Experts