Personal Profile

Name: Luke Tubbs

Pathway: development 

Team: South-Coast Development (CSDV) 

University & course: University College of Estate Management 

background

I completed A-levels Geography, Business and Economics and IT at Corfe Hills School in 2017. After completing my A-levels I did some work experience at Savills for 2 weeks where the apprenticeship scheme was offered to me. After weighing up all my options including full-time university I decided that the apprenticeship scheme was exactly what I wanted to do, as it allowed me to still get a degree in property in the same time as it would have taken me at university but instead of the ever growing pile of debt I would be earning whilst I was learning. After my interview I joined the team in September 2017 and I have never looked back. The team welcomed me into their family and within two weeks it felt like I had been there for years.

day to day

No two days are the same within the development team. My day starts in the office, at 8:45 in the office where I check my e-mails and plan my day ahead with tasks that need to be completed. I have various roles within the team and these normally consist of me gathering any relevant comparable property information for valuation reports, setting up and drafting initial reports for valuations, accompanying other members of the team on inspections and site visits which consists of taking photographs, making notes of a property/sites and taking measurements. I also get involved in any client meetings/conference calls which may be linked to the job that I am doing and also any internal meetings with my colleges.

Alongside my day-day job I also complete university work whenever I have spare time, whether that be in the evenings or on weekends or a quiet hour within the office. My university work varies constantly and can consist of making notes from a text book or watching online lectures. I also spend one working day a week, which is normally a Wednesday, to complete the main body of my university work, I spend this at home and will login into my university VLE to complete any task's which have been set for me.

why propertY?

Property has been a major influence in my life, with my Grandfather working at director level, for a local housebuilders, my uncle being a chartered valuation surveyor and my father being a property developer and portfolio owner. It could be said that my background is property. Growing up around property has meant that when it came to choosing my career path property had a strong influence over me and after doing some work experience I decided surveying was for me.

WHAT IS THE BEST THING ABOUT THE APPRENTICESHIP?

I love that my job is always varied the fact that I am not sat at a desk all day every day because I get to go out and meet clients and attend networking events.

SAVILLS AS A LEARNING ENVIRONMENT

I think the apprenticeship scheme is a really great way to learn and gain a degree which will later lead to a professional qualification, whilst gaining practical experience and earning an income. Whilst the studying side is not easy and requires a lot of time, not just the one day a week which I get away from the office, but also evenings and weekends, the help and support you get from Savills is amazing. If I ever need to go anywhere for university my line manager is very flexible and everyone in the team is very supportive with my studying and also encouraging when it comes to completing submissions and exams.

Having the knowledge and skills of recent graduates and surveyors in my team to help me whenever I have a question about my studying is also brilliant as it allows me to learn from the best people in the field.