Inside A Building Surveying Apprenticeship - Sonya Swaley - RICS Apprentice of the Year

Summary

Building surveying apprentice and RICS Matrics Apprentice of the Year, Sonya Swaley, joins me to share her journey into surveying and life on a five year apprenticeship. After Covid disrupted her A levels and a year studying economics, Sonya made the leap into professional construction and has not looked back.

We talk about the realities of balancing work, university and APC preparation, why she chose building surveying over quantity surveying, and how apprenticeships can unlock a chartered career without student debt. Sonya also opens up about being a young woman in a male dominated sector, developing confidence on site, and why she now prefers heritage and listed buildings to shiny new builds.

What We Cover

• How Covid, cancelled exams and a year of economics led Sonya to surveying
• Moving from full time university into an apprenticeship route
• Why building surveying is less promoted than quantity surveying but more varied
• What it is like to be four years into a five year building surveying apprenticeship
• Starting the APC early and building a diary from day one
• Sonya’s experience of the RICS Matrics Awards and winning Apprentice of the Year
• Why she believes apprenticeships are a win for both apprentices and employers
• Government funding support for smaller firms who take on apprentices
• Learning to handle difficult conversations with contractors using facts and kindness
• Being a woman in surveying and the role of women in property networks
• The joy and challenge of working on heritage and listed buildings
• Using LinkedIn as a portfolio and a way to help others into the profession

Guest Bio

Sonya Swaley is a building surveying apprentice currently working with Murray Birrell in London. After Covid disrupted her A levels, Sonya began a full time economics degree before realising that a traditional university route was not for her. She returned home, completed an A level in professional construction and secured a building surveying apprenticeship. Now over four years into a five year programme with London South Bank University, Sonya is already on her APC pathway and building a strong mix of site and office experience, particularly on heritage and listed buildings. In 2024 she was named RICS Matrics Apprentice of the Year, recognising her commitment, technical development and contributions to the profession. Alongside her role, Sonya is active on LinkedIn, mentors prospective apprentices informally, and is passionate about widening access to surveying careers through apprenticeships and better outreach in schools and colleges.

Guest Links

• Sonya Swaley on LinkedIn
• Murray Birrell Chartered Surveyors

Useful Links

• Association of Apprentices
• Outer Circle networking group
• Women in Property
• London South Bank University built environment apprenticeships

If you want to connect with surveyors across the UK and keep up with the profession, join The Surveying Room. It is free to join and open to all types of surveyors, students, and professionals who work with them. Surveyors UK & The Surveying Room

Connect with me - Nina Young on LinkedIn