QS Apprenticeships at Walker Sime: so much more than just hard hats and spreadsheets
Apprenticeships at Walker Sime aren’t about making tea or fetching printouts. They’re about rolling up your sleeves, getting stuck in, and learning the ropes from the best in the business. Assistant Quantity Surveyors Tom Lord and Leighton Le Carpentier are proof of that.
Both are navigating the same QS apprenticeship journey—balancing study, real-world projects, and the occasional head-scratcher of a challenge. But they’re not doing it alone. With each other (and the full force of Walker Sime) behind them, they’re gaining experience that no textbook could ever teach.
Learning on the job: the Walker Sime way
Tom jumped at the chance to join Walker Sime’s apprenticeship programme. “The hands-on experience here is unreal,” he says. “I’m surrounded by like-minded people who actually want to see me succeed. It’s a proper team effort.” Leighton agrees. “Going down the apprenticeship route was the best decision I could have made. I’m gaining years of industry experience while studying, which means I’ll be hitting the ground running when I graduate. It’s not just learning—it’s doing.”
Two apprentices, one shared experience
Having a fellow apprentice on the same journey has made a massive difference to each of them. “We’re constantly bouncing ideas off each other—whether it’s about coursework, our APC, or something tricky we’ve come across on a project,” says Leighton. Tom adds, “It’s great having someone to tackle it all with. We swap notes, share insights, and make sure we’re both on track. It makes the whole process more collaborative, which is what Walker Sime is all about.”
Challenges? That’s where the magic happens
The real learning doesn’t happen when everything’s easy—it happens in the tricky moments, the head-scratching dilemmas, and the “how do we figure this out?” situations. Tom knows this firsthand. “Understanding the difference in measurement approaches between PQS and main contractors was a challenge,” he admits. “I had to apply logic, research case studies, and really think on my feet. But that’s what makes this job so rewarding.” Leighton nods in agreement. “Balancing studies with real-world responsibilities has been tough, but that’s exactly why this apprenticeship is so valuable. Every challenge we tackle now is another skill we’ll have mastered by the time we qualify.”
The future looks bright
Both Tom and Leighton have their sights set on big things. “I want to complete my degree and push straight for my RICS chartership,” Tom says. Leighton’s plan? “Smash my degree with first-class honours, get my APC sorted, and be fully chartered by 2026.” With their drive and determination, there’s no doubt they’ll achieve their dreams—and we’re proud to support them every step of the way as they grow their careers here at Walker Sime.
Apprenticeships done right
We don’t just train apprentices—we invest in them. Tom and Leighton’s journey is just one example of how we’re shaping the next generation of QS professionals. And it doesn’t stop with our own team. We also support our clients in developing their apprentices, giving them well-rounded experience across quantity surveying, project management and the wider industry.
Because apprenticeships aren’t just about today—they’re about building the future of construction, one hands-on experience at a time.
