Apprentice Diaries: Joe Campagna
Studying a Bachelor of Science with Honours in Quantity Surveying at the Leeds Beckett University, Joe Campagna is an Assistant Quantity Surveyor that came under the Moortown Group wing three and a half years ago. With another eighteen months of study left to complete, Joe talks about his journey so far and why he chose a career in the construction industry.
Read on to hear Joe’s journey!
Why did you choose this vocation?
“All sorts of buildings from around the world inspire me. They represent who we are, the society we are all part of, and crucially stand valiant against the modern world we live in today. Whilst exploring my interest in the construction industry as a whole, I discovered that my interest lies within the procurement and construction of a building or structure, with particular emphasis on the economic, legal, financial and managerial aspects of the process which in turn, led to my desire to become a Quantity Surveyor”.
” I enjoyed learning about maths and finance in school, and have always had an interest in construction and civil engineering from a young age. I like problem solving and the blend between being office and site based is also great. No two days are the same“.
What has it been like working at Moortown Group?
“I joined Moortown Group in July 2018, and have worked on a range of projects. Since becoming an Assistant Quantity Surveyor, I have worked on some projects of my own such as the Bradford Royal Infirmary, which involved building a new maternity ward. Another project I’ve been heavily involved in is the HMP in Hull. This project consisted of implementing new services inside the prison, and has been an interesting and tricky job that I have learnt so much from”.
“I enjoy the cost reporting side of the job as it gives me an insight into the project’s performance. I also enjoy building a strong relationship between Moortown and the client as this helps the project run smoothly, and good communication between all parties is key”.
What skills have you learnt?
- Monthly Valuation / Applications for projects; as well as the pricing of variations and Value engineering options
- Cost reporting (CVR Reports)
- Measurement of all elements of Groundworks such as: Drainage, Substructure, Services & External Works. I can undertake this using both traditional and more modern methods such as Bluebeam Revu (Measurement software)
- Communication skills such as liaising with clients and also the procurement of sub-contractors
- The preparation of a Bill of Quantities. Being able to measure and transfer the quantities into a Bill format which coincides with a particular item and rate
- I have expanded my knowledge of managing the costs and budget of a building project from outset to completion.
What are your future aspirations?
- Help deliver large and complex construction projects, being involved in each element of the job and honing in on the surveying skills I have learnt over the years
- Progress as a Quantity Surveyor and into a management role within the business.
We’re looking forward to supporting Joe in his next chapter at Moortown Group.