Meet our degree apprentice Patrick Wilson | National Apprenticeship Week

07.02.2024

Patrick Wilson | Degree Apprentice | Assistant Quantity Surveyor

As part of National Apprenticeship Week, we spoke to Patrick Wilson, a degree apprentice and assistant quantity surveyor at Avrenim.

Currently enrolled in a five-year degree apprenticeship program at Liverpool John Moores University, Patrick shared insights into his journey, projects and aspirations in a recent interview. 

Starting as Avrenim’s first degree apprentice, Patrick described his work as a junior QS…

Patrick’s apprenticeship is a five-year commitment, culminating in a bachelor’s degree 

“It is a five-year-long course and I will get my bachelor’s degree at the end of the fifth year and begin working towards my Assessment of Professional Competence (APC), which will show my knowledge and skills in the form of a presentation, and RICS in the third year. From the third year, I will start working on my chartership”. 

How does Avrenim work alongside your apprenticeship?

I do day release one day a week. At the start of the apprenticeship, we all had to sign a tripartite agreement and agree that Avrenim would provide off-the-job training.

What kind of projects have you worked on with Avrenim?

I have worked on a fair few projects with Avrenim. In the past year, I have played a big part in securing 8 new projects for 5 new clients. In the past, I have worked on the Maxwell Medical Centre at the University of Salford where I was the assistant quantity surveyor and I was the commercial lead on the St James’ Tower – 11th Floor project.

How did you become familiar with the degree apprenticeship?

I have been in the industry since I was 16, so nearly 10 years now working for various other construction companies, some of whom offered me the chance to learn elsewhere in the UK, but I was really focused on working closer to home and playing a part shaping the city I live in. This was so when I grow up and have children, even grandchildren, I can drive through the city and point at landmarks telling stories and saying ‘I worked on that.’ Avrenim approached me with the idea of a degree apprentice, so it was a no-brainer for me, working on my home soil for a company that I respected and valued.

What projects are you currently working on? 

Currently, I am running the Liverpool Heart and Chest AHU replacement, and Sefton Park Palm House phase 1 refurbishment and I have a couple of jobs across the North West as well as overseeing works in The Shankly Hotel, Liverpool.

How does Avrenim support you on your degree apprenticeship?

I am quite an independent person in terms of my learning and how I approach things, but if I have query or problem I know I can always ask and learn from those that have more experience than me. The technical knowledge my senior team provides helps me understand projects and confidently grasp all areas of my role.

What is your big goal and vision for the future?

The RICS one is a big one for me. To be a member of the Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors would be a great achievement and a milestone in my early career.

Continuing to work on projects in the city too, is always something that is important to me. Projects in the city, like the Palm House, have been proud moments for me. To have such a big, and prestigious job in Liverpool, which is so full of history is amazing to work on. I have grown up with that building, walked past it as a young boy countless times with my family, and now I have the opportunity to work on it too. It is a big thing for me, and the city, to continue to develop Liverpool and protect and preserve the buildings.

What advice would you give?

You’re going to have to be committed, believe in yourself and if it is something you really want to do just go for it. It comes down to passion and if it is something you love you will go far.

What would your dream project be to work on?

I am a Liverpool fan, so anything at Anfield would be amazing, I’m from the north end of the city so anything to redevelop that area would mean a lot to me.