Quantity Surveyor Job Prospects enhanced by looking towards new technologies

I am delighted to be writing this first blog to mark the beginning of our association with Bill Wynn and the marvelous team at Project Resource. Vertice Development Management Ltd is a vibrant innovative firm of Quantity Surveyors and Project Managers advocating the use of cutting edge technology and techniques in the industry. Vertice produced the very first mobile phone app for construction and property professionals, students and home owners, Q Surveying, available for i-phones, i-pads, Nokia and Android mobiles. We also have a unique on-line consultancy at www.verticeqsonline.co.uk.

As Managing Director of Vertice I can look back over the last 30 or so years in the Industry and marvel at all the changes in technology that have been made, mostly bringing huge efficiencies with them. Believe it or not, I recall my first serious run in with ‘senior management’; it was over my belief that the site on which I was based should be equipped with a fax machine. Now debates will be held over the use of BIM.

I was fortunate enough to have been invited both to Oxford Brookes and Reading University to speak to students about the use of BIM, mobile phones apps and social networking in the Construction Industry. As expected from Students of high caliber there were some challenging questions regarding the practices and processes in all three of these areas. However, it was the question raised at both Universities that concerned me the most: “Will the introduction of BIM mean that there will be fewer quantity surveyor jobs available?”. The answer in my opinion is simply: No. As has always been the case, professions will develop and change, but there will always remain a place for the professional who can advice on cost, understand value management and value engineering and can create a commercial framework that allows everyone in the supply chain to make a profit.

It is interesting to note a report produced in 2009 for Lord Mandelson “Changing to Compete:  Review of Productivity and Skills in UK Engineering Construction”. This has a direct bearing on this question given to me by the students. The report clearly concludes that the “Industry”, (that means Employers, Universities and the people working in the Construction industry), must find ways to improve skills and productivity. Small firms must be encouraged to develop new skills and technologies and it specifically advocates investment into information technologies for 3D modeling. It seems to me, that men and women seeking employment in the Industry will have an unprecedented opportunity to move ahead if they embrace and become part of the change towards better and more efficient practice.

I would encourage everyone seeking employment to become more familiar with new technologies and techniques and be positive about progress and not worried or concerned about it.

If you’re looking for a job as a Quantity Surveyor, Senior Quantity Surveyor, Commercial Manager, Estimator or Senior Estimator, then I would strongly recommend speaking with Project Resource.  I have chosen to work with them as they are professional, dedicated, knowledgeable and progressive.

If you have any comments on the matter of new technologies in quantity surveying, we’d love to hear them below.