UHI Inverness graduates step into interviews on a fast track to a civil engineering career
The latest group of UHI Inverness students to graduate from CECA Scotland Academy marked their success at a special event – and then stepped straight into the first round of interviews that could lead to careers working on multi-billion-pound civil engineering projects.
Finlay Andrew, Blake Coull, Riley Davis, Allan MacDougall, Cillian Maciver, Leon Macleod, CJ MacPhee, Ryan Mitchell, Aaron Innes, Eoghan McKinlay and Calvin Pate all received graduation certificates from Mark Bramley, board member of CECA Scotland, during the presentation at Balloch campus that marked the completion of their course.
Mark told the students:
“Today is about you, you have now graduated and we as an organisation have engaged with our members to offer you interviews later this morning, and there is a significant likelihood that you will be offered employment. There are huge opportunities for a really progressive career in civil engineering, and I am excited for you for the future, and I wish you all the best.”
The students then participated in an on-campus network session with representatives from civil engineering firms as the first stage of a recruitment process which guarantees job interviews for all completing students. By the end of the recruitment event some of the students received firm job offers from employers, and others were invited to follow-up interviews.
During his presentation Mark, a Commercial Director of Capstone Construction in Inverness and former chair of CECA Scotland, said that billions of pounds are being invested every year in a ‘huge pipeline of work’ on water, rail, road, sea and flood defences and energy and renewables projects across Scotland.
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association Scotland represents 110 members who carry out 80% of all civil engineering activity in Scotland, which is worth £4.5billion a year, and its academy is one of its ongoing initiatives to meet the workforce needs of an industry with a growing skills gap.
CECA Scotland worked with UHI Inverness and Fife College to introduce the course within the SQA qualification framework. The Scottish Funding Council supported the initiative and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) has provided funding to support the students with health and safety requirements for the industry. The academy is now delivered at six colleges across Scotland.
Nationally, 72% of the students who have completed the CECA Scotland Academy up to August 2025 in Scottish colleges – including UHI Inverness – have moved on to positive destinations, which includes employment in civil engineering and construction.
Forty-five students from five different cohorts have now completed the 18-week course at UHI Inverness since 2023.
The event was attended by students, staff, family members, members of CECA Scotland and representatives from civil engineering firms Murform, Pat Munro, Capstone Constructions, Balfour Beatty, BEAR Scotland, Morrisons, R J McLeod, TSL Contractors and Story Scotland.
William Macleod, the Depute Curriculum Lead for Construction Technology at UHI Inverness, opened the event by thanking the teaching and support staff, particularly lecturers Liam MacKay and Stephen Maylin, and personal development advisor Mairi Stewart.
He also highlighted the significant contributions from the industry during this recent programme, including arranged visits by Strabag to observe their work on SSE’s major tunnel project at Coire Glas, as well as visits to Pat Munro’s site in Elgin and the Balfour Beatty A9 project at Dalmagarry. Global Infrastructure also hosted an interactive session on campus which featured a VR excavator simulator and a remote-control digger circuit.
Carrie Higgins, Tertiary Education Leader at UHI Inverness, said:
“This programme is absolutely an exemplar of what it means to be an organisation like ours, working hand-in-hand with partners on an industry-designed, industry-supported programme that gives students the opportunity to have a learning experience, get a qualification and go straight into employment.”
Carrie thanked the students for all their efforts throughout the course and encouraged them to continue learning throughout their careers.
“What makes us so unique at UHI Inverness is that we have the opportunity to be both a college and a university, which means that in civil engineering we can deliver the CECA Scotland Academy and foundation, modern and graduate apprenticeships,” she said.
“That means that wherever your careers take you, there is an opportunity to weave in and out of UHI Inverness to gain further qualifications as you progress - we are here for you throughout your career.”
The students began studying for the NPA Construction Operations qualification last September, attending five days a week from 9am to 5pm. They learned a range of practical skills at the Balloch campus, which was supported with classroom learning at the Inverness Campus.
Kirsten Grant, Curriculum Leader for Construction, Engineering and Infrastructure, told them:
“I have loved seeing you all develop during this programme, and this event is a wonderful way to finish your course. You’re now well prepared to go out and work on site, and I wish you every success.”
Billy Baxter, Customer Engagement Manager at CITB Scotland, said:
“CITB is proud to support the CECA Scotland Academy, which is a powerful example of how targeted funding and strong collaboration between industry and education can deliver real outcomes. This programme is helping to address skills shortages in civil engineering by giving learners the practical skills, confidence and direct routes into employment that employers need. Seeing students move from graduation straight into interviews and job offers shows the return on investment for industry, for learners and for Scotland’s infrastructure sector. We look forward to continuing our work with CECA Scotland and UHI Inverness to grow the future workforce.”