The Big Interview
Investment in apprenticeships pays off for Modus Having started their quantity surveying careers as apprentices, Michael Hoggart and Martin Munday both know full well the value of this type of training. The dynamic duo are currently spearheading the expansion of Modus, a thriving Favershambased construction consultancy, and are committed to investing in their staff to achieve further growth.
“I recall my apprenticeship and remember learning so much on the job. You don’t just acquire technical skills; you also learn life skills, such as how to negotiate and communicate effectively.
Martin explains: “We want to grow organically and develop people through apprenticeships. We’ve always had this philosophy since we started the company in 2014. Our aim is to take on at least one apprentice every 12-18 months.”
“There’s a misconception that apprenticeships tend to be suitable only for traditional manual jobs such as bricklaying and plumbing. Not many people know that you can do an apprenticeship in quantity surveying, and this can lead to a range of exciting careers. Martin and I speak regularly in schools and colleges to get that message across to young people.”
Michael, a quantity surveying graduate with nearly 20 years' experience in the industry, adds:
16 Thinking Business
Their focus on workforce development has been recognised in the wider business community. Modus won the prestigious accolade of Employer of the Year in the Kent Excellence in Business Awards 2021, with the judges making a point of praising the company’s commitment to apprenticeships and other forms of staff training. This commitment helped Modus to record the highest annual turnover in its history in the year to April 2021 – no mean feat when operating in the jaws of a global pandemic. Turnover is expected to have a 20% increase year on year. Martin and Michael are
also aiming to add to their ten-strong team of staff as more work floods in. Modus offers the full spectrum of quantity surveying services including cost management, preparation of bills of quantities, employer’s agent, contract administration, project coordination and monitoring surveying. The company has spread its wings in many sectors including residential development, education, leisure, commercial and healthcare. Martin says: “In the last few years we’ve carved a niche in the healthcare sector. We bid for a fouryear framework contract with the
