THE world is at the feet of student quantity surveyor Blair Webster, thanks to the Soben Academy training programme.
Bagpipe-playing Blair, who is in third year at Glasgow Caledonian University, has gained invaluable experience on some prestigious and challenging projects, at home and abroad.
He has worked on various commissions during his time with Soben, providing assistance to senior surveyors for take-offs and bills of quantities.
And he spent an impressive stint in San Francisco, California, with Cumming Corporation, an international project management and cost-consulting firm with more than 400 employees.
He revealed: “I completed the work placement/internship in the USA as part of my university course.
“While there, I aided cost managers/senior cost managers on a range of small to large projects, completing take-offs and estimates, as well has helping on the post-contract side by reviewing contracts, reviewing change-order requests and completing payment-application reviews.
“While working in San Francisco, I also completed sub-bid reviews.”
Blair, who lives in Pollokshields, Glasgow, splits his time between studying for a BSc (Hons) in Quantity Surveying at GCU and working with Soben – just like his fellow student QS David Lymburn.
Typically, his working week breaks down into 20 hours (2.5 days) at university and 20 hours with Soben.
To date, he has worked on the Moorfoot Primary school refurbishment in Inverclyde, the massive Royal Albert Dock project in London, ISG Capital office block in Charlotte Square, Edinburgh, the Trump Turnberry resort in Ayrshire as well as projects for main contractors CCG and Apsis Homes.
Blair said: “I like working at Soben because I am surrounded by great and experienced professionals who I have learnt a lot from.
“The experience that I am gaining from working at Soben is invaluable because it will push me to be the best that I can be. I am getting great exposure to multiple projects, which are all interesting and exciting to work on.”
When asked where he sees himself in 10 years, Blair, who enjoys tennis, rugby and swimming, said: “I would like to have a great understanding of the industry and have gone through solid training which will stand me in good stead for the future.
“I would ideally like to be running and overseeing some projects myself and controlling my own team. I would also like to become a Chartered QS in the next five years.”
