Apprentice Surveyor

Job Title: Chartered Commercial Surveyor Apprentice (Business Boating)

Advertised Salary: Starting at £28,970 + benefits. Progression to c£37,500 upon successful completion of required qualifications.

Location: This role is home based with a local hub assigned. (Central, East Midlands or West Midlands preferred). 

Who are we?

The Canal & River Trust is one of the UK’s largest charities, we maintain 2,000 miles of historic canals, rivers, docks and reservoirs, along with museums, archives and the country’s third largest collection of protected historic buildings – preserving them for future generations. Our waterways are exciting, vibrant places to work. As an Apprentice Surveyor you will play an important role to help us improve, maintain and preserve our wonderful waterway network for our customers to enjoy today and into the future.

About the role

You will be working in the small but busy Business Boating Team as part of the wider Investment and Commercial directorate; you’ll support the management of our commercial estate—working with businesses operating directly on the canal network. You’ll help grow income, develop business opportunities, and protect the integrity of our waterways. The role holder will effectively and efficiently help the team to manage, promote and develop business initiatives and property assets to contribute financially to the Trust whilst supporting its aims to increase the number of people using the waterways whilst protecting the integrity of the network.

• Supporting with the estate management of the Business Boating Portfolio with opportunities to work with other teams.
• Contributing to the Business Boating Team’s annual delivery targets.
• Assisting in property inspections and measuring.
• Assisting with internal property valuations in compliance with the Charities Act.
• Collecting and recording land and property information from site visits and other sources.
• Assisting in formal report writing and review.
• Attending business networking and development opportunities.
• Undertaking formal training and Continual Professional Development activities to support qualification as a Chartered Surveyor; sharing best practice with colleagues.

Depending on your location, work will involve travel across our network, so you may be occasionally working away from home or outside the usual working hours. No two days are the same! See our network here (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/enjoy-the-waterways/canal-and-river-network).

If you are looking to develop a professional career as a Chartered Surveyor focussing primarily in the leisure sector, this opportunity is for you. Position is available to commence in either September 2025 or March 2026.

More information:

• Take a look at some real Apprenticeship stories

About the apprenticeship

You will complete a Chartered Surveyor (Degree) Apprenticeship. Details of the apprenticeship can be found here: https://www.instituteforapprenticeships.org/apprenticeships/st0331-v1-2

The apprenticeship is expected to take 5-6 years (depending on experience) and is split over 2 areas (subject to satisfactorily meeting the learning requirements):

• Level 6 Batchelor of Science (Hons) Degree in Real Estate Management, RICS accredited.
  • Apprentices will be required to complete a Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) accredited BSc/BSc(Honours) or (where the apprentice already holds a Level 6 degree and subject to an assessment of prior learning) an RICS accredited Post Graduate Diploma or MSc. 
• Assessment of Professional Competence (APC) with the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) Assessment of Professional Competence (APC)

As a Trust apprentice, you will complete your apprenticeship training both on and off-the-job, including regular attendance at our partner education institute. All learning related travel costs are paid for by the Trust.

Whilst on-the-job, you will work with supportive colleagues to get the best out of your apprenticeship meeting online and face to face. Regular onsite inspections, in-house training and attending meetings will help you build your experience alongside your training programme.

What skills and abilities do I need to have?

• We look for candidates who live and breathe our values; Caring, Open, Local, Inclusive and Excellence and have a willingness to learn with enthusiasm and dedication. We are looking for potential. 
• A keen interest in and awareness of the principles of land and property surveying is required
• You will be joining a small nationally based hybrid team (mainly home with office-based working); therefore, you must be self-motivated and someone who is keen to go the extra mile to build their personal development with the ambition to achieve professional qualifications and demonstrate leadership competencies.
• The Trust’s portfolio and interaction with stakeholder can be complex, therefore being agile with an ability to adapt and consider all points of view is vital. Willingness to work with colleagues and partners in a collaborative, inclusive way whilst being comfortable managing relationships at all levels.
• You must have excellent communication and IT skills with a keen eye for attention to detail.

What qualifications or experience do I need to have?

• 96 UCAS tariff points: 3 A levels at Grade C or above (or their equivalent) OR BTEC Level 3 Diploma with a DD grade.
• OR
• A level 3 apprenticeship in a property related discipline.
• A driving licence with access to your own vehicle is essential.

What qualifications or experience would potentially help me more?

• An interest or connection to the waterways network.
• Knowledge, skills and experience working for an established surveying practice with a good understanding of commercial property law.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, including report writing and the ability to build good working relationships with stakeholders and your team.

Inclusive and supportive employer

• At the Trust we care passionately for our waterways, and as importantly, for those who look after and use them. We strongly believe that a diverse workforce brings with it a diversity of ideas, thinking and ways of working which enhances what we do as a Trust. We are striving to represent the diverse communities that we are a part of and welcome applicants from across all sectors of the community.
• All candidates will be treated on the basis of their merits, skills and abilities and solely by being assessed against the requirements for the job.
• Our aim is, at all times, to care for our people, and earn the confidence, trust and advocacy of our customers, partners, and those in the communities in which we work. We pride ourselves on, and are committed to, a workplace that reflects our values, embraces diversity, and enhances our reputation as a responsible and trusted custodian of the waterways in our care.
  • Read more about our commitment to Diversity Here (https://canalrivertrust.org.uk/about-us/work-for-us/diversity) 

In addition to our competitive apprenticeship wage and salary progression plan, we can offer;

• A supervised programme of training to support gain industry recognised qualifications.
• Hands-on training giving you a real chance to put your skills into practice and helping you to gain more confidence in a supportive working environment
• Opportunities to network with like-minded individuals who work in similar roles.
• Opportunity to work within our unique and beautiful environment and historic network.
• Study leave and day release as required for learning. 

How do I apply?

Please click to apply and complete the application form fully - there is no need to submit a CV.

It is very important that you make use of the Personal Statement section of our application form and tell us all about your motivations & interest, any transferable experience and why you want to come and work for the Canal & River Trust.

Your application needs to be in your own words, reflect your personal understanding and experience, and should not have been generated by AI Assistants such as ChatGPT.