Apprentice Estimator
R G CARTER SOUTHERN LIMITED
Suffolk (IP3 9UH)
Closes on Saturday 15 August 2026
Posted on 7 July 2026
Contents
Summary
We are looking for an Apprentice Estimator to join our team. The successful applicant will begin studies with a Construction Site Supervisor Level 4. Delivered in a classroom one day per week as well as on the job learning. On completion you will move onto study a degree course.
- Wage
-
£15,600 for your first year, then could increase depending on your age
National Minimum Wage rate for apprentices
- Training course
- Construction design and build technician (level 4)
- Hours
-
Monday - Friday, 08:15 - 17:00.
37 hours 30 minutes a week
- Start date
-
Tuesday 1 September 2026
- Duration
-
4 years
- Positions available
-
1
Work
Most of your apprenticeship is spent working. You’ll learn on the job by getting hands-on experience.
What you'll do at work
To undertake a range of specialist and general administrative support tasks for the Pre-Construction team, supporting the team in all Tender preparations, measuring, taking off, pricing, supply chain negotiations and risk management.
To assist the Estimator in the accurate preparation of the financial element of bids and (where appropriate) to produce estimates on appropriate schemes to the right net cost in a timely manner. To work closely with an experienced Estimator learning the processes, systems and methods that form the basis of good Estimating technique.
Duties & Responsibilities:
- To assist in the preparation of selected elements of the complete commercial and pricing element of a tender or cost plan
- To undertake a range of clerical and administrative duties within a department to ensure its smooth running
- To process documents received from a range of sources in line with department standards and requirements
- To identify and undertake initial investigations into any discrepancies regarding information to be processed, possibly involving document control
- To collate and extract data from a number of sources in order to produce documents
- To file documents and keep filing systems up to date so that information can be readily obtained
- To assist in the data input of selected elements of subcontractor quotations into the estimating software
- Liaise with specified suppliers to obtain their contractor list and / or quotations
- Assist the Estimator in controlling costs, timing and quality in line with specified targets
- To assist in producing, a detailed control document at handover to the delivery team
Any other duties consistent with the role of Trainee Estimator as may be required from time to time.
Where you'll work
Drayton House
Belfry Road Ransomes Europark
Ipswich
Suffolk
IP3 9UH
Training
Apprenticeships include time away from working for specialist training. You’ll study to gain professional knowledge and skills.
Training provider
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
Training course
Construction design and build technician (level 4)
Understanding apprenticeship levels (opens in new tab)
What you'll learn
Course contents
- Apply mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods to interpret and solve technical, engineering and design problems.
- Interpret and compare performance information to choose compliant materials, components and parts.
- Select and use technical literature and other sources of information and data.
- Produce design and technical drawings, designs, and models, using analytical and computer-based software packages.
- Produce technical design solutions.
- Comply with industry standards, CDM, statutory regulation and legislation, policies, and codes of practice.
- Comply with health, safety and welfare regulations, standards and guidance.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate and mitigate risk.
- Apply principles of sustainable development and assess impact.
- Apply ethical and data security principles to design projects.
- Prepare written design reports.
- Interact with the operation and maintenance of a Common Data Environment CDE and ensure this maintains integrity and follows agreed protocols and that data security.
- Handle information including validating, managing, disseminating and storing throughout all stages of a project or asset.
- Identify design defects and solve problems to advise a compliant outcome, escalate issues or concerns.
- Apply quality assurance techniques.
- Use computer based software systems and packages to manage construction projects for example BIM tools, data analytics and databases.
- Conduct site inspections of designs and report findings.
- Comply with sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance including the management and designing out of waste.
- Optimise energy use through design of efficient fabric, passive and active design solutions, low energy lighting, building controls, energy performance.
- Optimise site potential and building space.
- Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using sector specific terminology.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Apply project management techniques. For example: project budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
- Interpret and extract relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions including BIM, and other task specific modelling software
- Apply mathematical, statistical and data interpretation tools, using analytical and computational methods to interpret and solve technical, engineering and design problems.
- Interpret and compare performance information to choose compliant materials, components and parts.
- Select and use technical literature and other sources of information and data.
- Produce design and technical drawings, designs, and models, using analytical and computer-based software packages.
- Produce technical design solutions.
- Comply with industry standards, CDM, statutory regulation and legislation, policies, and codes of practice.
- Comply with health, safety and welfare regulations, standards and guidance.
- Complete risk assessments to identify, evaluate and mitigate risk.
- Apply principles of sustainable development and assess impact.
- Apply ethical and data security principles to design projects.
- Prepare written design reports.
- Interact with the operation and maintenance of a Common Data Environment CDE and ensure this maintains integrity and follows agreed protocols and that data security.
- Handle information including validating, managing, disseminating and storing throughout all stages of a project or asset.
- Identify design defects and solve problems to advise a compliant outcome, escalate issues or concerns.
- Apply quality assurance techniques.
- Use computer based software systems and packages to manage construction projects for example BIM tools, data analytics and databases.
- Conduct site inspections of designs and report findings.
- Comply with sustainability regulations, standards, and guidance including the management and designing out of waste.
- Optimise energy use through design of efficient fabric, passive and active design solutions, low energy lighting, building controls, energy performance.
- Optimise site potential and building space.
- Communicate with internal and external stakeholders using sector specific terminology.
- Work collaboratively with internal and external stakeholders.
- Apply project management techniques. For example: project budgets, estimating, cost control, cost forecasting, and investment appraisal.
- Interpret and extract relevant information from drawings, specifications and work instructions including BIM, and other task specific modelling software
Training schedule
- One day a week at College
- On the job training
- Earn as you learn
More training information
- Mandatory Health & Safety training
- Once level 4 completed, straight onto Level 6, 4 years in total
Requirements
Essential qualifications
GCSE in:
A Level in:
Share if you have other relevant qualifications and industry experience. The apprenticeship can be adjusted to reflect what you already know.
Skills
- Communication skills
- IT skills
- Attention to detail
- Organisation skills
- Number skills
- Team working
About this employer
As a family owned company, we have been proudly providing high quality construction services for centuries. Offering experience and specialist knowledge, we combine family values with a passion for innovation. Our approach is based on honesty, trust and the development of long-term sustainable relationships with our colleagues, clients, suppliers and with the communities in which we work. Together we are building for the future.
https://www.rgcarter-construction.co.uk/ (opens in new tab)
Company benefits
- Company pension
- Employee discount scheme
- On-site parking
- Health & wellbeing programme
- Life insurance
- Earn while you learn
After this apprenticeship
Your earnings can increase over time with an apprenticeship. Find out about potential future pay (opens in new tab).
- Estimator
Ask a question
The contact for this apprenticeship is:
COLCHESTER INSTITUTE
The reference code for this apprenticeship is VAC2000041111.
Apply now
Closes on Saturday 15 August 2026