Started with: Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician Apprenticeship

Workng as: Assistant Engineer, GIS & Mapping, Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council

How did you get into surveying?

I took an unusual route to my current place in the working world. I went to university in Sheffield to study Geography, then took a year out afterwards to work and travel. I then went to train to be a teacher, however after a year I decided I wanted to go in a different direction, so I looked back to my geographical roots and applied for my Geospatial Survey Technician Apprenticeship. I wanted to learn new skills in a hands-on environment and Dudley College, and my Tutor, Khaleel, delivered!

I had studied and worked with GIS before and when I gained my Apprenticeship post with Solihull MBC, there was an opportunity for me to study surveying and give the council something they had not had before – a trained in-house surveyor. I jumped at an opportunity to learn a new skill and get to work on site in the fresh outdoors!

What does your typical day look like?

My typical week varies a lot, which I why I enjoy my job! I will plan, undertake and post-process small topographical surveys for a range of highway projects, including drainage issues, new pedestrian crossings, road space reallocation and more. We have limited equipment and have to work quickly on active roads and in pedestrian areas to achieve our goals safely and efficiently. A large component of my job is GIS Analysis too. Capturing spatial data and then using and transforming it within maps, using GIS software, is a big part of what I do.

I enjoy the day-to-day variety of surveying. The challenge of each site being a little different and seeing a project through from the planning stages all the way up until a final solution has been developed. It can be very satisfying!

For me personally, I wear a lot of hats in my job and I am the only trained surveyor within Highways which can be a lot of responsibility. I think one of the hardest things is knowing when to say no and articulate to managers that certain projects are just out of scope for me, a colleague and one Total Station with no GNSS.

How do you encourage others to get involved in the surveying profession?

As the only trained surveyor since my apprenticeship, I make the effort to take all the new apprentices and assistant engineers out with me on surveys that pertain to projects they are working on. I strongly believe that seeing and understanding the data capture process will help them embed the project they are working on and enable a much deeper appreciation as they are involved in more of the project pipeline.

What would you say to someone considering a career in surveying?

Do not stress about switching careers and taking time to find what works for you. There is no competition except the competition you force on yourself. Finally I would say, all experience is good experience and try as many new things as you can, even if they do not work out!

For my role, a good understanding of GIS and mapping fundamentals are important. Know your fundamentals and the rest will fall into place far easier. Have an eye for detail and be able to solve problems on the fly.

What memorable projects have you worked on?

Of course there are a good few memorable projects, but one of my favourites was working on the planning, surveying and installation of EV Chargers on the public highway. I got to work on a project from start to finish and got involved in so much at such an early point in my career – it really set me on the track to where I am today.

My proudest career moment was working on the mapping of the 2022 Commonwealth Games Queen’s Baton Relay route for Solihull. Getting to follow the baton through Solihull, knowing I had contributed to the route and traffic logistics of such a huge event was amazing.

Started with: Level 3 Geospatial Survey Technician Apprenticeship

Working as: Geospatial Surveyor, Formby Surveys

How did you get into land surveying?

After gaining A levels I had plans of attending university to further my education, however, didn’t feel this was best fit at the time, therefore I entered into work, becoming a Residential Field Technician. This job was used to gain experience in a workplace and allowed me to grasp the qualities needed to work for a company. This job allowed me to have time for research and personal development in order to find the right career path I wanted to enter.

After some research, I knew surveying was the area I wanted to get into, this was due to the opportunity for progression. Land surveying allows for personal progression within a business and also within the profession, allowing me to keep improving while I gain experience.

I am currently progressing in land surveying and I am looking to gain experience in utility surveying – there are many pathways that can sprout off becoming a surveyor.

What qualification have you gained?

For this role, I attended Riverside College one day a week as part of my Level 3 Geospatial Surveying Technician course, over 2 years. This course was very beneficial for the understanding and knowledge of not only surveying but the construction industry as a whole. Attending college, allowed my knowledge and skills to be assessed and addressed in order for self-progression. This course stripped land surveying back to basics and taught me how to gather data and information without using modern day techniques. This ensures a full understanding of the precision and mathematics that goes into capturing data, rather than using the equipment unknowingly.

Why were you attracted to land surveying as a career?

My interests in surveying developed as a career through the idea of working nationally. This role gave me the opportunity to visit and work in places I had never been to before in the UK. Another factor that begun my interests in surveying is being at the forefront of any construction project. Typically, land surveyors are one of the first points of contact before any construction works can go ahead. This idea really intrigued me, as it felt like my work had real purpose, which also motivated me to ensure the work was not only correct, but also completed to a high-quality level.

What does a typical day look like?

A standard day for me would entail arriving at site around 8.30am. Depending on the specific project, I will perform a site recce and a risk assessment to ensure the job can be done efficiently and safely. I may perform a topographical survey using a total station, I may perform levelling run where I will use a digital or optic level or I may be producing floor plans for the location of fire equipment where I will use a 3D laser scanner. No two days are ever the same and there is always a new challenge to overcome.

The thing I value most and enjoy about surveying is the fact there is always something to learn – the equipment software is constantly updating, new equipment is always coming to the market, new challenges on site, and different people to interact with, expressing how there is always new information and knowledge to obtain, therefore my understanding is always being furthered. 

How do you encourage others to get involved in the profession?

I share photos and experiences on site on social media, this way people can gain a real insight to some of the interesting places and sites I work in. This also enables people to put themselves in my shoes so they can feel what it would be like to be a surveyor.

Advice I would give to my younger self would be to stop comparing my journey to others as everybody is at different stages in their lives and careers and be patient with your journey as career growth takes time and effort.

What is the most memorable project that you have worked on?

My most memorable job that I have worked on would be a Hilton Hotel in London, here we produced floor plans, elevations, a topographical survey, and inputted control. This was my most memorable job as this was my first job as lead surveyor. Being lead surveyor means my trust had been gained from my peers and managers that my skill level was competent enough, in order to delegate the workload to my colleagues, be responsible for any problems that went wrong, liaise with the client for updates and any accessibility issues and also arrange a system of work that was most efficient to that job.

What is your proudest career moment?

My proudest career moment would be receiving ‘’The Best Apprentice’’ award at the 2025 TSA conference and awards event. This was a significant achievement and an acknowledgement of all my hard work and dedication that I had put in over the course of my 2-year apprenticeship and something I am particularly proud of.  

Started with: Level 6 Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist Degree Apprenticeship

Working as: Land and Measured Building Surveyor and Drone Pilot, Maltby Surveys

How did your interest in surveying as a career develop?

When I first started surveying, I had very little knowledge of what surveying was however after working on various projects my interest grew as I realised how important the role of a surveyor can be for a project to be successful.

What did you study?

I studied Geospatial Surveying and Mapping Science on a five year degree apprenticeship program at the University of East London. This was extremely helpful as it allowed me to work 4 days a week and gain valuable work experience whilst also studying to understand the theory behind what I was doing at work. It allowed me to get a good qualification which is helpful for my professional development.

What is it about your current role that you enjoy and value most?

In my current role, I am trusted to carry out complex surveys by myself and to use high tech pieces of equipment. I enjoy getting to use drones to capture large amounts of data in a quick time, this is enjoyable as it can save days and days of walking and condense it down to just a few hours of flying for the same results.

What does a typical day and week look like for you?

Being a land surveyor means that you never had the same day twice, you are always working in a variety of different places, and the mix of site work and office processing means that every week is different.

What skills does someone need to do your job?

Problem solving, determination, attention to detail,

If you could give your younger self career advice now, what would it be?

Stick with surveying, as it becomes even more enjoyable when you get to lead your own jobs from start to finish and see the final outcome.

What does a land surveyor do?

A land surveyor measures and maps out the physical features of land. This includes showing boundary features, buildings, roads, drains and inspection covers and anything else of significant interest. These maps are used to help with construction development, boundary disputes and for legal documentation.

What has been your most memorable project to work on?

Getting to drive through Europe and to work in Austria in the alps at an amazing mansion, not only was it a great location but the whole experience in travelling for work was very memorable as there aren’t many professions that would get to do something like this. It was hard work when we were there, however seeing the final 3d models that were produced was a great feeling.

What has been your proudest career moment?

My proudest career moment would be when I completed my degree, achieving a first-class honour. I was proud of this as it took a lot of hard work to balance University study and work at the same time, but it was worth it as I came out of the degree apprenticeship with 5 years work experience, a degree and no student debt.

Started with: Level 6 Geospatial Mapping and Science Specialist Degree Apprenticeship

Working as: Geomatics Surveyor, Hampshire County Council

How did your interest in surveying as a career develop?

My interest in surveying started when I was on placement 15 years ago. I started a civil engineering apprenticeship, and I was fortunate enough to move round different departments to gain a broad knowledge, this was where I had my first experience of surveying.

What have you studied?

At college I studied A-Level Art, Graphics & Geography. I actually failed Geography, so it’s ironic my career has led me towards a geography related job. Although I failed Geography at college, I do feel it provided me with a good foundational element to understand topography and earths physical features.

I then undertook a part-time Civil Engineering HNC whilst I worked as an assistant surveyor. This was enjoyable and I got to learn about and appreciate different skills across the whole construction industry.

Lastly, I studied at the University of East London (UEL), where I undertook a day release apprenticeship in Geospatial & Mapping Science. I was fortunate that my HNC and experience within the industry meant I did not need to complete a foundation year. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at UEL, I felt that although I had several years of surveying experience it provided me with theoretical context that helped me understand the reasoning and principles behind my fieldwork. 

Tell us about your work history. How did you get to where you are today in your career?

I began my career in surveying by developing a solid foundation of hands-on site experience, supporting senior surveyors with data collection and trying to learn geospatial techniques and methods from them. Over time I progressed into a more senior and managerial role, now leading survey teams on major public infrastructure and environmental projects. The combination of hands-on experience and academic study has helped me progress to where I currently am.

When did you know this was the area you wanted to go into? Where do you see yourself going next?

I have always loved being outdoors, I knew I wanted to pursue surveying whilst I was on placement in the survey team and getting hands on with new and advanced technology in diverse environments from countrysides, city centres or coastal areas.

In the future I see myself moving towards a teaching or mentoring role, where I can share my knowledge and experience with the next generation of surveyors. I’m passionate about helping others understand the technical and practical side of surveying.

What is it about your current role that you enjoy and value most?

I value that my work plays a pivotal role in the real-world impact. Roads, buildings, bridges, property boundaries all depend on accurate surveying. There is real satisfaction in seeing your measurements turn into lasting infrastructure.

What does a typical day, and week look like for you?

My typical week is highly variable depending on the project, this could involve anything from carrying out a topographical survey, measured building survey, monitoring structural movement or underground utility surveys. A typical week often combines fieldwork and office work, starting with planning and preparation before heading to a site to collect the data. This would involve using a variety of specialist equipment from total stations, digital levels, GPS or terrestrial laser scanners. Once all the fieldwork is complete, I can begin to process the data collected on site to produce detailed drawings for clients.

How / do you encourage others to get involved in the surveying profession?

I play an active role with my employer’s Civil Engineering Apprentices support programme in which I regularly put on survey workshops to help those who would either like to gain more knowledge and experience of the subject or just need additional support in their survey modules for their course.  I also actively encourage them to join us on site and shadow our team for a day to see what a surveyor involves.

I am also a member of the Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors and sit on the South East region committee, which allows me to help and contribute to organising events or talks.

If you could give your younger self career advice now, what would it be?

Take advantage of any training offered to you by your employer to further you own knowledge and skills and to keep learning and growing as an individual. Master the basics as they will become your foundations and lastly embrace new technology early.

What skills does someone need to do your job?                   

• Attention to Detail
• Problem Solving
• Adaptability
• Ethical Judgement

What has been your most memorable project to work on?

One of the most memorable tasks to be involved with was locating and surveying an abandoned canal tunnel in West Sussex. The canal tunnel spanned for over 350m long and went under a busy road, which was the main cause of concern. We had to establish how deep the structure was below the carriageway. The scheme involved significant complexity and required extensive problem solving to address both the technical challenges and the careful management of survey related risks to ensure accuracy and safety.

What has been your proudest career moment?

My proudest career achievement was earning a First-Class Honours for my degree. I never considered myself particularly academic so achieving a strong result whilst also trying to raise a young family alongside it was especially meaningful. It felt like genuine validation of the skills and dedication I’ve built through my work. Balancing study, family and professional growth made this accomplishment even more rewarding and fulfilling.