Just To Share Some of My Experience Gained During My Industrial Training

In March 2002, after I completed my 3-year QS course in a university in Malaysia, I sent a couple of application letters to a few QS consultant firms in order to get my industrial training done – which was one of the faculty requirements before I could graduate from the university.

A boss of a QS firm (lets name it “The Firm”) asked me for an interview after 1 week. I was interviewed by 3 bosses (lets name them “Boss 1”, “Boss 2” & “Boss 3). Within 20 minutes of interview the Bosses accepted my application and allowed me to having my industrial training in their firm.

It was merely a three-month period. In the first week I was instructed by Boss 1 to tidy up the racks storing Tender Documents, Contract Documents, Tender Reports, Feasibility Studies, Final Accounts, etc. I was told to arrange those documents in accordance with developers, then followed by projects, then followed by date. Even though the racks were messy and dusty, after spending few days in touching with all these stuffs, I got a little more familiar with the projects handled or being handled by The Firm, as well as the documents that a QS will normally need to prepare.

Later on I was asked to help a senior QS to do taking off for a high rise service apartment. It was actually a remeasurement based on as-built drawings in order to prepare final account for the project. I was responsible for the taking off of concrete, formwork and reinforcement for floor beams. At the beginning I found it was a tedious task, but later I felt I was lucky to be part of the team. In those few weeks I have learned how to use QS software (VQSM) to do measurement; My skill in MS Excel has improved; My knowledge in taking off has increased after being taught by my senior and Bosses.

Sometimes I was also brought by Boss 2 or Boss 3 to attend progress meeting, client-consultant meeting, technical meeting and tender interview – other places for me to learn. I met developers (i.e. the clients), architects, engineers and contractors. In fact I was happy to attend such meetings with my Bosses as during the meeting I wouldn’t need to ask and wouldn’t be asked too. I merely needed to listen, understand and learn. From those meetings I started knowing the issues that are normally discussed within the meetings; the questions that are normally asked by the client and consultant during the meeting; and most importantly the role of a QS in a construction project.

After few weeks, Boss 1 requested a few junior staff, including me, to do a quick measurement for a office building. It was a initial design prepared by an architect and Boss 1 had to prepare a preliminary cost estimate for such building. I was responsible for floor and ceiling finishes this time. I was taught the ways of doing rough and fast measurement, making logical and practical assumptions, as well as getting useful information by analysing previous similar projects. Again my skill in using software and taking off improved a lot.

I was also assigned to execute a very important task during this three-month training – receiving calls for The Firm everyday. I improved my communication skill as well as my English language. I became braver when talking with somebody in English. Apart from this, once in a while Bosses or seniors would ask me to help them asking quotations for certain products. It was again the time for me to learn my communicating skill. In fact it updated me with the up-to-date cost of materials and building technology too.

I’ve learned some other skills and gained some other experiences during this industrial training, which is not able to be fully shared with you all here. The Bosses were very knowledgeable, experienced and very willing to share while the colleagues were helpful and friendly. Thus I decided to work for The Firm after I completed my industrial training. I worked for The Firm for three years plus before I went for my further study in 2006.

Useful links for Institutions relating to Quantity Surveying

These are the useful links for some institutions in the world relating to Quantity Surveying:-

1) Australia - Australian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (AIQS)
2) Brunei - Institution of Surveyors, Engineers and Architects (Brunei) (PUJA(B))
3) Canada - Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (CIQS)
4) China - China Engineering Cost Association (CECA)
5) Fiji - Fiji Institute of Quantity Surveyors (FIQS)
6) Hong Kong - Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS)
7) India - The Instition of Surveyors (INDIA) (ISI)
8) Ireland - Society of Chartered Surveyors (SCS)
9) Jamaica - The Jamaican Institute of Quantity Surveyors (JIQS)
10) Japan - Building Surveyor Institute of Japan (BSIJ)
11) Kenya - Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya (IQSK)
12) Malaysia - The Institution of Surveyors, Malaysia (ISM)
13) New Zealand - New Zealand Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NZIQS)
14) Nigeria - The Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS)
15) Pacific & Asia – Pacific Association of Quantity Surveyors (PAQS)
16) Singapore - Singapore Institute of Surveyors and Valuers (SISV)
17) South Africa - Association of South African Quantity Surveyors (ASAQS)
18) Sri Lanka - Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Sri Lanka (IQSSL)
19) UK & Worldwide - Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)
20) UK & Worldwide - Institute of Civil Engineering Surveyors (ICES)
21) USA & Worldwide - International Cost Engineering Council (ICEC)

What is Quantity Surveying?

This may be a question raised by of students who are going through the process of selecting courses offered by universities or colleges. I had asked the same question too when I was offered the course. Therefore, I'm writing this particular post to answer some of the frequently asked questions for those who think they may choose for this course.


1) Question: What do we study on the quantity surveying course?

Answer:
Syllabus for the course varies for every college or university. However, the main subjects will cover cost estimate for construction works, standard method of measurement, construction contract, building economics, procurement, specification and construction technology.


2) Question: What is the job of a quantity surveyor?

Answer:
The major role of a quantity surveyor is to control and monitor the cost of a construction project and advise the client (developer/owner) on financial and contractual status of the project. QS need to prepare interim payment for contractors, prepare financial statements for the clients, prepare tender and contract documents, prepare cost for changes in the contract, advise on contractual claims, etc.


3) Question: Whom a quantity surveyor will normally work with?

Answer:
Quantity surveyors will normally work with the client (who is financing a construction project), the contractor (builder of the project) and the designers (engineers and archtiects).


4) Question: Where can a quantity surveyor work in?

Answer:
A quantity surveyor can choose to work:-
a) directly in the client (developer/owner) organisation;
b) with a QS consulting firm which carries out work on behalf of a client organisation;
c) with construction companies who are the builders or suppliers; or
d) with financial institutions, eg. banks, in advising loan and payment for a construction project.


5) Question: Does quantity surveyor design?

Answer:
Quantity surveyors have nothing to do with design as it is engineers and architects' responsibilities. QS merely estimates the cost implication for certain design and make their advice on the financial aspect on the design.


6) Question: Do we have a governing institution for quantity surveyors?

Answer:
Yes. RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyor) is a international governing institution for quantity surveyors. It helps to set, maintain and regulate standards.


Having some more questions? Feel free to write down your comment and I will try my best to answer it.