Caroline Gordon's Journey: From Trainee to Section Engineer at Pat Munro
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In celebration of Scottish Apprenticeship Week and Women in Construction Week, we caught up with Caroline Gordon, who joined Pat Munro as a Trainee Civil Engineering Technician in August 2020. Since then, Caroline has made incredible progress, graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering with Distinction in Graduate Apprentice Civil Engineering. She is now a Section Engineer, overseeing two trainee engineers. Read on to learn more about her inspiring journey.
Why did you apply for the Apprentice Trainee Civil Engineering Technician role at Pat Munro?
I had previously worked for another company as a Trainee Civil Engineer. After completing the second year of my apprenticeship, I applied for the role at Pat Munro as it offered great career progression and the chance to work on exciting local projects.
Had you always wanted a career in Civil Engineering? What inspired you?
Throughout secondary school, I was always interested in Design & Technology and Graphic Communication. My teacher recommended a Foundation Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering at UHI, which ran on Fridays for secondary school students. This course gave me a solid understanding of civil engineering and solidified my decision to pursue it as a career.
What has been the most memorable moment so far in your career?
The most memorable moment of my career so far was graduating with a Bachelor of Engineering with Distinction in Graduate Apprentice Civil Engineering.
What is your favourite project you've worked on?
One of my favourite projects was the Longman Waste Transfer Site. I was involved in various aspects, such as setting out foundations, roads, service routes, and drainage systems. What made it memorable was being able to witness the waste transfer building being constructed from the ground up, something that is rare for a Civil Engineer to see in full.
What are the most important things you've learned along the way?
The most important thing I've learned is communication. My role now involves working closely with construction managers and delegating tasks between two trainee engineers and myself. I've realised that asking the right questions to managers and effectively communicating the necessary information to the team is crucial for the smooth execution of tasks.
What’s your current role at Pat Munro and what does a typical day look like?
I'm currently a Section Engineer at Pat Munro. My day typically starts with communicating with the foreman to ensure all sections of the project have the necessary information and drawings. If setting out is required, I'll go out on-site and discuss how the operatives would like the information marked. I take progress photos and upload them to our job folder at the end of each week. I also maintain a daily diary, documenting the tasks completed and any issues that arose. In addition to managing the engineering side of the project, I oversee two trainee engineers. If a Project Manager needs engineering tasks done on other projects, I delegate them accordingly.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about doing an apprenticeship at Pat Munro?
I highly recommend applying for an apprenticeship or a traineeship at Pat Munro. It’s a great opportunity to gain valuable skills and knowledge while earning a wage and working toward an academic qualification.
And what advice would you give to a woman thinking of a career in the construction industry?
Definitely check out a career in Construction, it’s a really rewarding career path and I encourage you to give it a try. While there can be challenges, there are so many local opportunities out there.
CECA Scotland Academy (NPA Construction Operations) https://www.inverness.uhi.ac.uk/courses/scqf-level-5-ceca-scotland-academy-npa-construction-operations/
SCQF Level 5, the Foundation Apprenticeship https://www.inverness.uhi.ac.uk/schools/senior-phase/construction-and-engineering/foundation-apprenticeship-civil-engineering/
Civil Engineering SCQF 6, Civil Engineering HNC and the Graduate Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering
https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/hnc-civil-engineering/
https://www.uhi.ac.uk/en/courses/beng-hons-civil-engineering-graduate-apprenticeship/
