These businesses are subsidiaries of Bowmer + Kirkland and form the B+K Group
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Name: Alec Barden
Job title: Apprentice Quantity Surveyor
Course: Quantity Surveying and Commercial Management
Alec Barnden began his career with Bowmer + Kirkland as a T-Level student studying Design, Surveying and Planning for Construction and, as part of his course, he did a 45-day work placement with the company.
As one of Derby College's first students to graduate with the new ‘Gold Standard’ qualification, Alec was invited to join a national celebration at the House of Lords where he described T-Levels as ‘a great stepping stone into professional work’. Following the completion of his T-Level this he applied for Bowmer + Kirkland’s popular Degree Apprenticeship scheme and was accepted. He now works as an Apprentice Quantity Surveyor.
Alec’s role provides a great mix of office and site-based work. As an Apprentice QS he works closely with the company’s subcontractors, forecasting and monitoring costs for projects. When on site he assesses the works to date and completes evaluations.
Alec is supported in his work by a dedicated line manager and mentor, enabling him to quickly work through a planned Bowmer + Kirkland training matrix for his on-the-job learning. Alec also attends off-the-job learning days (OTJL), visiting a variety of sites and construction projects to gain experience of different construction types and methodologies.
As part of his OTJL, Alec has completed a mock tender exercise as part of Bowmer + Kirkland’s annual Summer Project, the initiative encourages collaboration, bringing together Year 1 and 2 Apprentices in groups to respond to a mock tender in both a written submission and post tender submission interview. Pitched against five other teams, Alec and his group won the prestigious Summer Project in 2024, following an exceptional tender response mock and tender presentation to our Board of Directors.
Alec is now moving into the fourth year of his Degree Apprenticeship with Bowmer + Kirkland and he is working on the multi-phased build of Burnt Mill Academy in Harlow, Essex which is one of the company’s largest redevelopment projects undertaken for the Department for Education.
The 1,200-pupil secondary school features a new super block, sports centre, swimming pool and a multi-use games area and was partially handed over to BMAT, the multi-academy trust which oversees it in August 2025.
Alec said: “I have been heavily involved in the project and some of the highlights have been seeing the main teaching block being constructed and having the opportunity to procure the swimming pool for the school.
“If I hadn’t taken the apprenticeship route in my career and decided to go straight to university, I wouldn’t have the hands on skills that this career path offers me, I get to learn on the job whilst working towards a degree and I am also earning a salary.
“Bowmer + Kirkland provides great support to apprentices, each one of us has a dedicated mentor and training programme, plus there is so much knowledge within the company, everyone is happy to help and wants to see you succeed.”
