Degree Apprenticeships
Why TDA?
As an award-winning provider of business and property services, TDA makes a real difference to the lives of people living and working in the South West delivering innovative and practical programmes in areas including job and business creation.
Year on year we are successfully delivering high quality economic development, property and business services to a growing customer base across the South West. So, if you’re looking to build a lasting career there is no better place to learn.
Why do an apprenticeship?
- Earn while you learn – Receive a competitive salary while studying towards a qualification that is funded entirely by TDA
- Benefit from real-world work experience – Gain practical, hands-on experience and develop your technical knowledge and wider skills
- Support from colleagues – Work alongside and learn from experienced staff, including a personal TDA mentor who will help guide you
- Excellent career prospects – Enter professions that are in high demand and offer great career prospects
- Excellent career prospects The apprenticeships on offer are for Professions that are in high demand and offer great career prospects, where you combine academic studies with practical experience working alongside professionals
Our apprenticeships – what to expect
Our Degree Apprenticeships will provide you with the experience, training and support needed to become a qualified professional and are a great alternative to full time university study. You will learn through a mix of training and practicing new skills in the workplace.
To join a Degree Apprenticeship, you must have a keen interest in customer expectation and commercial needs. It’s a big commitment: you’ll need to manage real work commitments on-site whilst at the same time furthering your education.
When you join an apprenticeship with TDA, you are buddied up with a colleague who will help you settle into your team. You will also be given a mentor – someone who will be knowledgeable, experienced and there to guide you.
You’ll spend at least 20% of the time learning (including time at college). This usually means one day a week for a full-time apprentice.
Meet our current Apprentices and Graduate Trainees
What do you do in your role?
I project and cost manage major construction projects at TDA which includes:
– Feasibility studies & cost estimation prior to construction
– Procurement and tendering to appoint contractors
– Management and coordination of clients, design teams and contractors during construction to allow a smooth operation ensuring everyone’s expectations of the project are met
Educational and Professional background before joining TDA
I joined TDA straight from school having completed my GCSEs in 2017 and the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) sixth form studies in 2019, both at Torquay Boys’ Grammar School. That same year I joined TDA Group.
Training and Qualifications undertaken as part of the role at TDA
I am carrying out a Level 6 Degree Apprenticeship with TDA Group so a fundamental part of my role is studying. I enrolled onto a 5-year part time degree course in 2019 and I undertake my studies on a day release basis which means that I travel to UWE Bristol’s Frenchay Campus in Bristol once a week to attend lectures and seminars. I am due to graduate in Summer 2024 with a degree in ‘Quantity Surveying & Commercial Management’.
I have also embarked on the chartership process with the RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) so hopefully will obtain ‘Chartered Member Status (MRICS) in late 2024 or 2025.
The most enjoyable parts of the job and working for TDA
That it enables me to obtain a degree without incurring any student debt. It also allows me to obtain experience in a diverse range of sectors (educational, healthcare, hospitality, industrial, residential etc).
I also enjoy having daily in-person contact with a broad range of staff with expertise (project managers, quantity surveyors, building surveyors, mechanical & electrical engineers, civil & structural engineers etc).
What project have you enjoyed working on the most?
Royal Devon & Exeter (RD&E) NHS Trust – Exeter Mobility Centre / Devonian Orthopaedic Association Site. This was a fast paced scheme driven by an immediate need for the car parking space to allow consultants and other critical NHS staff – who live far afield – to attend work at the main Wonford campus efficiently without the 2m social distancing issues that the typical park & ride facility posed. The scheme consisted of the demolition of the unoccupied NHS buildings and construction of a new temporary car park. My role was assisting as project manager and quantity surveyor, which involved liaising with senior NHS staff, TDA’s Civil Engineering design team, statutory authorities, and the contractor, Midas Construction Ltd.
What would you say to someone thinking of applying to work at TDA?
I would strongly consider applying. Aside from the key work environment there are also a variety of extra-curricular activities, such as Christmas parties, boat trips, and various ad-hoc events spaced throughout the year. There is a Graduate / Trainee / Apprentice group where we all meet regularly as an informal forum to support each other through our learning and chartership processes but we will also be having our own social / enrichment events, which is a new approach TDA have put in place to create a community for our trainees.
What do you do in your role?
As a Trainee, I work closely with my colleagues, and get involved in all aspects of management finance. I am now responsible for pension contributions, uploading our monthly file, childcare voucher, Facility Management reports. I also make sure that everyone has submitted their timesheets for the month, so that the Finance Team has clarity on the position of our business.
Educational and Professional background before joining TDA:
I started at the TDA in August 2022 as a Trainee Management Accountant. My previous employment involved 10 years working in the hospitality sector. I graduated 3 times, 2016 Foundation degree in Business, 2017 Ba (Hons) in Leadership and Management and in 2019 MA in Human Resource Management.
Because of Covid, I changed my career path, and I am now back at college working towards the Association of Accountancy Technicians (AAT) qualifications.
Training and Qualifications undertaken as part of the role at TDA:
I started working towards an AAT qualification in September 2022. I am just finishing AAT Level 2 Certificate in Accounting and going straight on to Level 3 Diploma in Accounting.
The most enjoyable parts of the job and working for TDA:
My previous employment involved 10 years of working within the hospitality sector, so I am very happy to be able to use my past knowledge now being involved in Seven Dials cafe and look at it from different perspectives.
What would you say to someone thinking of applying to work at TDA:
I would strongly recommend that they apply, especially to the Finance Team which I know best. They are a very good team and I think everyone is just great because they are very helpful and have fantastic team spirit. As a trainee I can get support from everyone, which I am incredibly grateful for.
What do you do in your role?
I participate in the management of small construction projects, undertake building condition surveys, and maintain council owned assets via a repair and maintenance program.
Educational and Professional background before joining TDA
I spent 10 years painting and decorating before then refocusing on education in 2014. I completed a Civil Engineering Access Course followed by a BSc(hons) degree in Building Surveying and the Environment. This included a year in industry via a placement at Carter Jonas estate agency and property consultants in London.
Training and Qualifications undertaken as part of the role at TDA
Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Accreditation.
The most enjoyable parts of the job and working for TDA
Good office atmosphere, flexible working hours and a good variety of surveying practices.
What project have you enjoyed working on the most?
Watcombe Primary School – Renewal of 36 Fire Doors. This is my first project above £50,000; I will be involved from initiation to completion. Its currently 30% complete.
What would you say to someone thinking of applying to work at TDA?
Good choice.