Ruby Arro: Constructing a Career in Quantity Surveying

Two years after joining KWL as a Quantity Surveying Apprentice, Ruby Arro is building an impressive career that combines academic achievement with practical responsibility across a broad range of live projects.

Approaching her 21st birthday, Ruby has completed her Level 4 qualification – equivalent to a foundation degree – and is preparing to begin the next stage of her degree apprenticeship: a Level 6 qualification at Sheffield Hallam University.

For Ruby, the apprenticeship route has provided the professional career and degree she wanted, while enabling her to gain valuable experience, earn a salary and avoid the significant debt often associated with full-time university study.

“I always said that I wanted a professional career and a degree, so it’s basically the best of both worlds.”

Learning through real work

Ruby joined KWL in September 2024 after completing her A-levels at Wolfreton School. Initially considering a full-time university degree in subjects such as maths, geography or environmental studies, she discovered quantity surveying – and the diverse professional opportunities within construction – during work experience with KWL.

“I feel like a lot of people don’t really know the different roles in the industry,” she said. “People see construction as bricklayers, joiners and plasterers, but they don’t necessarily realise there are professional careers as well.”

Ruby is primarily based at KWL’s offices but regularly visits sites to see projects first-hand and understand how plans are progressing.

“No two days are the same,” she said. “I like to go out on site and visualise what’s going on.”

Taking on responsibility

As her confidence and experience have developed, Ruby has taken on an increasingly varied workload. She supports projects including the new-build scheme at Matheson Court, the Garths roofs retrofit scheme at Bransholme, parks and gardens contract, long-term voids, fire-safety works, and smaller schemes such as one-off roofing and window replacements.

Her role includes supporting cost management, assisting with commercial work and helping to keep projects on track. Ruby works closely with experienced colleagues, including Commercial Manager Jamie Phillipson, her line manager, and mentor Scott Palmer.

She says the support she has received has been central to her experience.

“Everyone has been spot on since I started my apprenticeship. If I need anything clarifying, I always feel comfortable speaking to people about it. The team I work with is brilliant.”

The opportunity to apply university learning directly to her day-to-day role has also accelerated her development.

“Everything I learn through the apprenticeship can be applied to my role, and then for assignments I can use examples from work. It definitely works hand in hand. With a degree like this, experience is one of the best ways to learn.”

From Level 4 to Level 6

During her first two years, Ruby studied legal frameworks, design, sustainability, measurement and estimating. She particularly enjoyed the practical design module, which introduced her to software outside her usual role, as well as learning about legal issues including conveyancing and land acquisition.

Having completed Level 4, Ruby will begin the Level 6 stage of her qualification in February. This will involve block-release study at Sheffield Hallam University alongside her ongoing work at KWL.

Although her university experience differs from that of friends studying full-time, Ruby does not feel she is missing out.

“I’ve made friends on the course and it’s nice going to a different city and seeing new places. A lot of my friends are at university in different cities, so I go and visit them too. I’ve still had that experience, but I’m also working and getting the practical side of it.”

A career option for young women

Construction remains male-dominated, particularly in professional surveying roles. However, Ruby believes more young women could thrive in the sector if they were more aware of the opportunities available.

Having attended Women in Construction events, she has seen increasing interest from women keen to explore careers beyond traditional perceptions of the industry.

“I think there is more interest from females now – people just aren’t always aware of these jobs and the degree apprenticeship as a career path.”

Ruby’s experience highlights the breadth of career paths available within construction, including commercial management, surveying, design, sustainability, procurement, planning and project management. Degree apprenticeships offer an accessible route for people who want to gain a recognised qualification while earning, building practical confidence and developing professional experience.

Looking ahead

With three years of her apprenticeship still to complete, Ruby is looking forward to continuing her development with KWL.

“I like that it’s local, everyone is friendly and I want to progress with experience,” she said.

Ruby has already achieved a great deal in her first two years at KWL. As she begins the degree-level stage of her apprenticeship, she is demonstrating how construction can offer ambitious young people a rewarding, practical route into a professional career.