Industrial Placement Student - Quantity Surveyor

We're looking for a Quantity Surveyor Student to join our Natural Resources, Nuclear and Networks team based at our prestigious Royal Devonport project for an Industrial Placement. 

Within this role you can enjoy 26 days annual leave, 24/7 Wellbeing Support Programme, and even more https://jobs.kier.co.uk/benefits/ 

We are a leading UK national contractor delivering projects of all sizes and complexities in the public and private sectors, including education, healthcare, defence and justice and borders. We design and deliver buildings that are key to the UK's infrastructure – from hospitals and treatment centres, to schools, leisure centres and prisons.  

Our Natural Resources, Nuclear and Networks division delivers essential infrastructure projects that power the UK's future. Working across the water, nuclear and other decarbonised energy, environmental and waterways sectors, we provide sustainable and safe solutions for our clients and customers whilst protecting and restoring natural habitats.  Find out more information on our 4-business divisions here https://www.kier.co.uk/who-we-are/our-business-divisions/

This is a fantastic opportunity to join a leading construction and infrastructure services company on our placement programme. These programmes have been designed to provide you with the experiences and tools needed for progression within your chosen career. 

Location: Devonport, Southwest

Starting Salary: £26,208 per annum  

Pathway: 12 Months – 40hrs per week, with the potential to lead onto a Graduate position 

Starting date: September 2026 

We are unable to offer certificates of sponsorship to any candidates in this role.

What you will be responsible for? 

As an Industrial Placement Quantity Surveyor, you will assist in managing all aspects of the contractual and financial side of construction projects. This role offers a fantastic opportunity to gain hands-on experience, receive mentorship from experienced professionals, and develop a strong foundation in quantity surveying.  

What will your day-to-day duties include? 

• Manage commercial resources of the project 
• Assisting in maximising gross profit for projects 
• Assessing, reviewing, and mitigating commercial/contractual risks as well as value work executed by sub-contractors 
• Helping prepare and submit tenders and contract documents. 
• Collaborating with the project team to prepare progress reports and financial statements 

How does an Industrial Placement work? 

Kier is committed to encouraging talent and providing opportunities for growth and development. 

When you join, you will be enrolled onto our industrial placement scheme. The programme will take 12-months to complete and has been designed to immerse yourself in the world of construction, you'll get to see your learnings in real world situations and gain practical experiences to support the rest of your degree. 

What are the benefits for you? 

• Practical experience: gain valuable hands-on experience in your field.
• Skill improvement: develop technical and professional skills.
• Networking: build professional relationships and expand your network.
• Career insight: gain insights into your chosen industry and potential career paths. 

What are we looking for? 

We're on the lookout for students undertaking a degree in Quantity Surveying, Construction Management or a related field, who have the option or requirement to complete a placement year from 2026 - 2027. After your placement, you'll be returning to university with a graduation year of 2028. 

The role of Industrial Quantity Surveyor is great for you if:  

• Excellent numerical and analytical skills. 
• Good communication skills written and verbal 
• Ability to work well both independently and collaboratively as part of a team
• Hold a full driving licence 

 Diversity and inclusion 

Making Kier a diverse and inclusive place to work is a high priority for us. We're proud of the steps we've taken so far, but we know we must always do more. Our employees are key in shaping Kier's diversity and inclusion initiatives, and our people have made a huge impact on how we work, by using their experiences to shape our policies. You can see our D&I action plan here.  

It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations we reserve the right to close adverts early. 

Recruitment timeline 

Sept - October 2025: Initial applications 

November 2025: Application reviews 

January 2026 onwards: Interviews