Nine Quick Fire Questions with Allsop’s Apprentices

For National Apprenticeship Week 2026 (9th – 15th February), we sat down with three of Allsop’s Degree Apprentices in the Leeds office to ask them a series of questions about their role, their experience of the Degree Apprenticeship and any advice they have for someone considering an apprenticeship.

James, Jack and Jordan’s experiences range from a new starter to someone who is now two years qualified MRICS.

1.  How did you discover surveying and what attracted you to pursuing the Degree Apprenticeship (DA) ?

JB: I was unsure whether to go to university or do a DA, so I applied for both. I heard of Allsop through my dad, who works in banking, but I wasn’t aware of surveying at the time. I got the opportunity to come into the Allsop office and speak to Jordan about the DA route, and what a surveyor does. From there, I had a week of work experience and loved it. I was then lucky enough to get offered a DA at Allsop which I instantly accepted. 

JP: I wasn’t aware of surveying at school and planned to do a Geography degree. My teacher suggested I carry out some work experience with a friend of hers, at Allsop in Leeds, as I might enjoy surveying – and I loved it. I didn’t know much about DAs at the time, but after my work experience, Allsop offered me the chance to be the Leeds office’s first DA, and it was clearly the right choice for me. 

JW: I had researched DAs heavily and had no real intention of attending university. I had discovered DA opportunities through apprenticeship and talks at school. I was unaware of surveying at the time. Similarly to Jordan, I was always interested in Geography, and my coursework at A-level was a major factor that led me to my position now.

2.  What is the most interesting property you’ve dealt with and why?

JP: Devonshire Buildings in Barrow-in-Furness. This was one of the first properties I pitched on myself and won the instruction. The property is huge (112 flats and two commercial units), located opposite BAE Systems in Barrow. I developed a great client relationship and was really proud to see the transaction complete last year.

JW: St Bridgets in Liverpool. This was the first property that I inspected, right at the beginning of my career. The property is made up of eight HMO’s, in a converted Victorian school, located in the middle of a major student area of Wavertree.

JB: Claremont House in Sale, Manchester. The property dates back to circa 1865 and was converted in 1997 from a nursing home to provide six apartments, with period features retained including stained-glass windows. This was the first property that I handled from instruction to completion and was very pleased to see it complete, in January this year.                  

3. If you had to pitch your job to a friend in one sentence, what would you say?

JB: I work in Residential Investment, acquiring and disposing of privately rented blocks of flats and portfolios of houses, usually for assets over £1M.

JP: I work primarily in Residential Investment, disposing of PRS (Private Rental Sector) blocks of flats and portfolios of houses; my job involves appraising properties, bringing them to market, carrying out the marketing process, and then dealing with solicitors in the legal process until completion occurs. 

JW: I work in Student Housing, disposing or acquiring Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA) or Houses in Multiple Occupation (HMO) portfolios, whether this be on behalf of an institutional buyer, or a high net worth individual.                                                                                       

4.  What’s the most unexpected thing about working in your team?

JP: The range of assets I deal with on a day-to-day basis. Although they are all residential, individual characteristics are always different, whether it be a £30M block of 233 apartments in Bury, or a £1.1M block of ten apartments in Halifax.  

JW: The range of clients that you meet and communicate with. There are so many types of investors and clients in the Student Housing sector, which can vary from someone who may work in the same city as you, to someone that has travelled from another country to view a property that we are marketing.

JB: The variety of each day. Some days I am out inspecting properties or hosting viewings, other days I am in the office appraising a property or creating marketing brochures. 

5.  If you had to teach someone one thing you’ve learned in your role, what would have the biggest impact?

JW: To always make connections and build relationships, both in your team and with others in the wider industry.
JP: To always ask lots of questions. 
JB: Ask colleagues which work takes priority to manage time effectively.                                                                                     

6.  How do you juggle work, study and still make time for yourself?

JB: I have a study day every week which enables me to focus on my university work. I plan ahead and start assignments as early as possible, giving myself enough time to complete them. I have found communication with my team vital to make them aware of my workload. This allows me social time as well as time to enjoy my hobbies at the weekend.

JW: I am in the office four days a week and have a set study day on the other. This allows me a full day uninterrupted for university work, which is made easy through guidance from both my team in the workplace and the university.

JP: I am qualified now, so luckily my studying is over! But when I was working on my degree or my APC, I would always plan ahead around deadlines and fit in studying whenever I could.                                       

7.   What’s something that pushed you well outside your comfort zone and how did you handle it? 

JP: I suspect ‘making phone calls’ will be a common theme among the three of us as it is daunting when you first join, but it’s such an important skill to have as a surveyor. It can still be daunting making difficult client calls. More recently, I have been pushed out of my comfort zone when running client update calls or all-party update calls, with many (often senior) people in attendance. Whatever the call, I make sure I plan what I want to cover and remind myself that I am capable of having the conversation, no matter how daunting. 

JB: Making calls to investors that had logged their interest in an opportunity for the first time. I wrote out what I would say to investors when they answered the call. As well as this I have notes of the property and the marketing brochure to hand, so I understood what I was talking about.   

JW: I really struggled to answer the phone when I began at Allsop, it was something that I hadn’t experienced coming from my A-Levels, especially with a limited knowledge of the industry when I first started. Being encouraged by colleagues to make calls, and positive feedback following them, really helped build my confidence.

8.   If someone is deciding between university and a DA what’s the one thing you would want them to know?

JB: University is more flexible whereas a DA requires a structured routine. I would want them to consider which style is more appropriate for them.

JP: Jack, James and I do not know what university is like, however we can draw on our friends’ and colleagues’ experiences, and although it sounds great, I would urge people to consider the sheer amount of practical, work based knowledge and experience you gain from a DA; which is hugely valuable in the workplace. There is a lot of work and admin involved in the DA, but it is worth it, particularly for the experiences you have being part of a team and the opportunities that come your way. 

JW: I would like them to consider the practical application of knowledge and engagement gained in the workplace, in comparison to a purely theoretical approach at university, and which they feel would benefit them when beginning their career.                      

9.   What’s the biggest misconception about apprenticeships that you would like to correct?

JB: Historically, apprenticeships may have been seen as only being available for vocational roles. I think it’s important for students to understand the wide range of apprenticeship opportunities that are available within many different industries, such as surveying, architecture, accounting, law, etc… there are so many industries that now offer DAs as an entry to their sector. 

JW: People may think a DA could take up your freedom and leisure, something that you would instead have at university. I feel this isn’t the case, a DA still offers a lot of freedom, for example I have been able to visit friends that have moved away and can create new friendships at home or with other DAs in Leeds, which allow you to balance your work life and social life.

JP: I think perspectives of DAs have changed for the better over my career so far; generally, they are seen as a very positive career route now with a huge range of sectors offering them. It’s great to see so many schools encouraging students to take up apprenticeships, and I would hope this continues.                   

Jordan, Jack and James are all happy to talk about degree apprenticeships with anyone who is interested, as well as discussing the Residential Investment or Student Housing properties they are dealing with. Contact one of them for more information.