Highland Students Explore Civil Engineering Careers with Global Infrastructure

Over the last few weeks, our team has been out and about across the Highlands meeting students and young people at several DYW Scotland careers events.

Jennifer Young (Business Support Supervisor), Kyle Thomson (Engineering Manager) and Fintan Cuthbertson (Sub Agent) attended the careers event at Wick High School, where they shared insight into the range of roles across the civil engineering and construction industry, as well as the career pathways available at Global Infrastructure. Jennifer was also joined by Tom Strachan (Contracts Manager) and James Fowler (Site Manager) at the UHI Open Evening.

“It was a pleasure attending the careers fair at UHI on behalf of Global Infrastructure. Supporting the development of young people at the start of their careers is something I’m passionate about.

It was great to see so many employers across two floors. A clear sign that things are buoyant in the market and that there are some excellent opportunities for young people, especially in the Highlands. Traditionally, many have left to study in Edinburgh or Glasgow, so it is encouraging to see that trend beginning to shift as more opportunities are created locally.

It was also great to speak with so many young people from a range of backgrounds and at different stages, all looking to begin their careers. Hopefully, we can play a part in shaping some of that talent and support the future of Global.”

- Tom Strachan

“It was a pleasure attending the careers fair at UHI in Inverness. It was my first time on the employer’s side of the table, and I thoroughly enjoyed speaking with the potential future generations coming into civil engineering. They ranged from young people from a farming background wanting to work with plant, to those interested in setting out.” – James Fowler

“It is so important that we, as a business, get out there and show young people what the industry is about and what it can offer. There are some excellent opportunities within civil engineering and construction. It is, sadly, an ageing workforce, and we need the next generation to come through.” – Jennifer Young

“Many young people have limited awareness of what the civil engineering sector actually involves, especially when compared to other, more widely recognised career paths within the construction industry.

Hosting a careers event in a school or university provides an ideal opportunity to bridge that gap. It allows participants to look around and realise that the steel-framed building we are standing in, and the car park we arrived in, are all the work of civil engineers.

By placing the event in a setting shaped by civil engineering, students gain a real-world, relatable insight into the profession and the role it plays in the built environment.”

- Kyle Thomson