National Diploma of Quantity Surveying (NDQS) Level 6

Kyle Good helps builders formulate the cost of constructing a building. Picture / Graeme Sedal

THE QUALIFICATION
National Diploma of Quantity Surveying (NDQS) Level 6
Unitec, Mt Albert Campus, Auckland
Phone: 09 815 2945 or 0800 10 95 10
Email: Unitec courses
Web: www.unitec.ac.nz
Tertiary Fees: $4165 (2006)
Starting salary: $30,000 - $33,000
National Diploma of Quantity Surveying

THE JOB
If you have a keen interest in building and construction and enjoy measurement, costing and pricing; then quantity surveying may be the job for you.

Quantity surveyors calculate the quantities of materials required for a building, price jobs and manage the financial aspects of construction projects for clients.

They must be accurate, good at maths and pay close attention to detail. It is a responsible role; getting pricing wrong can be catastrophic for a company.

Unitec's two year diploma course teaches budding quantity surveyors how to measure and estimate building work and cost, price and tender for projects. They also learn how to undertake the financial administration and cost control of projects under construction and gain a thorough grounding in construction technology.

The programme shares core courses with the National Diplomas in Architectural Technology and Construction Management including construction technology, management and control.

Courses unique to quantity surveying include estimation of construction costs of a building and the study of measurement to quantify the amount of work required for a building contract.

Many students are offered part time quantity surveying jobs through the course while still studying.

Entry is competitive for the 20 full time and 10 part time places available each year.

Applications are due end of October. Applicants are accepted on a first come, first served basis and may be required to attend an interview.

Applicants under 20 years need 36 NCEA level two credits in three subjects, including maths, or 35 level two unit standards over three subjects, including algebra or trigonometry, or the equivalent. Relevant work or life experience and other qualifications, such as the National Certificate in Carpentry, are acceptable alternatives. There are also specific English requirements.

Quantity Surveyors are in demand globally with the majority working for consultants, architects and contractors. Some graduates enter the second year of the Bachelor of Construction Management (Economics).

THE GRADUATE
Kyle Good
Age: 22
Quantity surveyor trainee, Clearwater Construction
Graduated last November

Clearwater is a building and civil engineering company. I've been here about 15 months after getting a cadetship half way through my diploma course.

I help put together tenders, estimates, manage subcontractors and organize meetings. It involves office and onsite work and I like that. I could be in the office working on invoices but then go on site to check something or meet a subcontractor.

I chose quantity surveying because I was really interested in construction, but I wasn't great with the hammer. I found out about quantity surveying through visiting Unitec and seeing the different construction courses.

The diploma is good because it gave us real world learning. Most of the lecturers have first hand industry experience so the skills they teach are pretty useful.

I found the communication papers really helpful because quantity surveying often involves communicating with people. The papers taught me ways to approach things such as discussions, disputes and invoices.

I'm now doing the Bachelor of Construction (Economics) part time and was able to cross credit about half my diploma which was good.

THE EMPLOYER
Andy Moore
Clearwater Construction, commercial manager

Quantity surveyors need to have awareness and knowledge of the construction industry and to be analytical and methodical. Kyle had those qualities and was interested in construction.

We see a lot of value in Kyle doing part time study while working. The combination of study and experience improves his learning and makes him more beneficial to us.

Quantity surveyors need to thoroughly understand the technology and methodology behind construction and it teaches that.

Kyle is doing the first quantity surveying cadetship offered by us. We see cadetships as the way to both help young professionals and help our company. We have encouraged Kyle to continue with the degree and we're trying to give him exposure to all sides of construction.