INSTITUTIONS OFFERING QUANTITY SURVEYING LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT IS QUANTITY SURVEYING AND WHO IS A QUANTITY SURVEYOR?
Quantity surveying is one of the most interesting and critical professions and yet one of the least known professions in Zambia as most people have got no idea of its existence. Most students start to pursue this programme with little information of what it is all about and what a Quantity Surveyor does. Quantity surveying is a field of study that involves detailed calculations and measurements taken from the Architect’s drawings to quantify the materials, planning and labour required to construct the building.
A quantity surveyor is someone who has studied Quantity surveying and graduated with a diploma or degree from a well-recognized college or university in Zambia or abroad. He/she is someone who manages all costs relating to building and civil engineering projects, from the initial calculations to the final figures. They seek to minimise the costs of a project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required standards and quality.
WHERE DO QUANTITY SURVEYORS WORK?
Quantity surveyors can work for government departments and agencies where they seek to minimise the cost and risk of a construction project and enhance value for money, while still achieving the required legal standards and quality. They also work for large engineering consultancies and housing associations where they ensure that statutory building regulations are met. They also work for commercial businesses, large international mechanical contractors and local authorities where they prepare estimates and costs of the work and when the project is in progress, they keep track of any variations to the contract that may affect costs and create reports to show profitability. Working either for the client or the contractor, in an office or on site, they are involved in every stage of a project. Projects include commercial, industrial and residential constructions. They also work as private practice quantity surveyors (PQS), work for petroleum engineering companies like TAZAMA pipeline and INDENI as well as in mines.
Many employers operate in a multidisciplinary capacity, so you’re likely to work alongside other surveying professionals, such as civil engineers and architects.
WHAT TASKS ARE INVOLVED IN THE WORK?
Tasks for quantity surveyors will vary to a certain extent depending on whether you work for a consultancy as a private quantity surveyor (PQS) or for a contractor.
Quantity surveyors who work as private quantity surveyors – PQS their tasks include: advising clients from the initial design stage, working out the budget for the job and then putting it out for tender to contractors. The contractor’s quantity surveyor will usually be more hands-on, working on site and will liaise with the PQS. Generally, a quantity surveyor, typically needs to assist in establishing a client’s requirements and undertake feasibility studies to ensure their proposals will work. They prepare, analyse and project costing for tenders, such as materials, quantities, labour and time. They also prepare tender and contract documents, including bills of quantities with the architect and/or the client, and negotiate contracts. In addition to this, quantity surveyors also prepare work schedules, allocate work to subcontractors and oversee their work at all stages of the construction, perform risk and value management and cost control during construction. Other tasks include cost analysis for repair and maintenance project work, advising on procurement strategies, contractual claims and disputes, and analysis of outcomes among other things.
WHAT IS THE WORK SCHEDULE OF A QUANTITY SURVEYOR?
Working hours are typically 37 to 40 hours per week. If you work for a consultancy (private practice) or in a government department, you’ll typically work a standard office working week (08:00hours – 17:00hours Monday to Friday). If you work for a contractor on site, your working hours may be longer and you may have to do shift work. Occasionally, working on weekends may be required.
WHAT DOES THE JOB MARKET LOOK LIKE?
Quantity surveyors, can find a job in construction projects throughout Zambia. It is also possible to be self-employed and work freelance, especially with experience. Job opportunities can also be sought abroad.
They also find jobs in government and other well-established companies where they typically start the career as a trainee quantity surveyor and once qualified, they move on to junior/assistant surveyor, supporting the work of senior surveyors. They usually spend around two to three years in a junior role, developing your skills and experience. They then move on to an intermediate role, working independently and going on to manage larger scale projects with bigger budgets and limited or no supervision. It’s important to gain experience to improve your career prospects and salary. Once you’ve become an experienced quantity surveyor, you may wish to continue working across a broad range of disciplines or specialise in a certain type of infrastructure, such as road or bridge construction. With a further two to three years’ experience, it’s possible to move into a senior surveying role in any company, with responsibility for trainee and junior surveyors.
WHAT SORT OF CAREER-PERSONALITY MATCH IS REQUIRED?
To enjoy being a quantity surveyor you’ll need to have written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to write clear reports in order to convey complex information in a simple way to a diverse range of people, strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build and develop relationships, numerical and data analysis skills, a creative and innovative approach to problem solving, IT skills and the ability to learn sophisticated design and costing IT packages, team work skills and the ability to motivate and lead those on site, project management skills, resilience, determination and the ability to work well under pressure, good commercial awareness, a practical, attention to detail, detailed knowledge of past and current building and construction technology, processes, materials, business and legal matters.
INSTITUTIONS OFFERING QUANTITY SURVEYING LISTED AT THE BOTTOM
WHAT SUBJECTS WILL THE PROGRAM COVER?
When one enrols into university to study Quantity Surveying, they will learn the following subjects:
First Year: Studio Project, Built Environment, Introduction to Economics, Introduction to Physical and Human Geography, Introduction to Sociology, Communication Skills, Mathematics.
Second Year: Studio Projects, Construction Technology and Building Services I, Structures I, Land Surveying, Building Economics I, Computer Application and Statistics.
Third Year: Measurement Studio II, Construction Technology and Building Services II, Structures II, Measurements I, Legal Studies, Building Economics II.
Fourth Year Courses: Measurement Studio, Construction Technology and Building Services III, Theory and Practice of Quantity Surveying, Measurements II, Construction Law, Building Economics III, Research Methodology
Fifth Year Courses: Thesis Project, Professional Practice, Project Management, Measurement III, Introduction to Intellectual Property Rights and Practical Training
WHAT ARE THE ENTRY REQUIREMENTS?
Minimum entry requirements to this program are 5 O’ level credits inclusive of mathematics and English.
WHAT OTHER PROGRAMS OF STUDY CAN MAKE SOMEONE A QUANTITY SURVEYOR?
To work as a quantity surveyor, alternative qualifications are construction management, economics, civil engineering, actuarial science, mathematics or statistics. But typically, a Zambian quantity surveyor needs to have a degree in quantity surveying.
WHAT ARE THE FUTURE ADVANCED QUALIFICATIONS AVAILABLE AND WHY?
Further career advancement is possible into roles such as quantity surveyor manager, project manager, or contracts or commercial manager. You’ll usually need a minimum of ten years’ experience for these types of roles, and leadership skills as well as advanced communication and analytical skills. But to avoid so many years of work experience to get top job positions, you may decide to pursue a master’s degree in quantity surveying, or economics or statistics or mathematics or geography or commercial management. A master’s degree gives you an upper hand when it comes to advancing your career in competitive environments especially abroad. It’s a sign that apart from general skills, you have taken keen interest to master one area of your job more than other people. With a master’s degree one would become a university lecturer as well.
INSTITUTIONS THAT OFFER OUANTITY SURVEYING
COPPERBELT UNIVERSITY
Programme duration: 5 years (degree)
Mode of study: Full-time and Part-time
Admitting school: School of Built Environment
Intakes: January
Location: Kitwe
Contacts
Tel: +260 212 290816 / +260 212 290817 / +260 212 290815
E-mail: academicoffice@cbu.ac.zm
Website: www.cbu.ac.zm/fees/