Mike started out as a bicycle mechanic before retraining as a carpenter and discovering a passion for the numbers behind construction. He went on to study quantity surveying at Whitireia and WelTec, leading to his current role as a Quantity Surveyor Cadet at Faisandier. Here, Mike shares his journey into study, what he learned along the way, and how he made the transition from hands-on trade work into a new career.
Getting started
Originally from Auckland, Mike spent over a decade in Melbourne working as a bicycle mechanic before moving to Wellington to start a building apprenticeship. While working as a carpenter, he realised he really enjoyed the calculation side of construction. With his mathematically-wired brain, working with numbers as a profession made sense.
His hands-on experience and understanding of how buildings come together helped put his study of Quantity Surveying in context. Being in a physical classroom at Whitireia and WelTec was important to him so he could fully engage with learning.
Heading back into the classroom
Mike’s time at Whitireia and WelTec was enjoyable and rewarding. The workload was balanced, and the tutors were approachable and genuinely invested in everyone’s success. He could always could put his hand up and get a straight answer to keep his learning on-track.
Studying alongside people from different backgrounds made the experience even better. Mike enjoyed the class conversations and opportunity to learn from each other, especially about construction practices around the world.
A big learning curve was understanding the difference between measuring work on-site versus in quantity surveying, along with gaining building confidence in the contractual side of the role.
Rejoining the construction sector
Mike is now working as a Quantity Surveyor Cadet at Faisandier, and no two days are the same. He’s involved in cost estimation, reviewing tenders, preparing material take-offs, processing invoices, and helping manage project budgets and deliveries.
The Faisandier team is incredibly supportive. Mike shares that ‘everyone’s happy to explain things and point him in the right direction which it makes a big difference when starting out in a new career.’
Receiving the NZIQS Student Award was a real highlight and a great motivator to keep improving. Mike’s focus now is on gaining experience across different types of projects.
Stoked to have made a change
If you’re thinking about studying quantity surveying, especially if you come from a trade background, Mike’s advice is to go for it as ‘knowing how buildings are constructed made life back in the classroom a lot easier.’
The course is well structured, the tutors are knowledgeable, and coming out job-ready is huge. His advice is to show up, stay engaged, and don’t be afraid to ask questions. Mike’s previous careers as a mechanic and carpenter ended up being valuable assets, not setbacks- it’s never too late to change direction.
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