Graeme is currently studying for a Civil Engineering Foundation Apprenticeship every Friday during term time at the University of the Highlands & Islands (UHI) and this placement gave him the opportunity to take his learning out of the classroom and into the real world of work.
Whilst with Pat Munro, Graeme shadowed Managers, Supervisors, Quantity Surveyors and Junior Civil Engineers based at one of their live contracts, Inverness UHI's Plot 14, also known as the village. Winning this contract earlier in the year, the development by Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) will consist of roads and utilities for smaller plots capable of being developed by the private sector. Pat Munro's team were able to give Graeme an insight into the various roles within the industry as well as their own internal operations and capabilities including the materials mixed at their Alness & Dornoch quarries, being delivered by their own fleet of trucks and laid by their skilled team of surfacing specialists.
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Pat Munro gave special thanks must go to Grant Sloggie – Site Manager and Lewis Mosey-Lyall – their Apprentice Engineer for taking Graeme under their wing and gave "a big thank you to all our team who spent their time to show Graeme the ropes, without this input he wouldn't have left with the increased enthusiasm that he now has for a career in Civil Engineering:.
Asked about his experience with Pat Munro (Alness), Graeme said: "I've really enjoyed my work experience and have taken a lot from my time at Pat Munro. Whilst learning in the classroom is great, there is nothing like going out in the real workplace and seeing first-hand how a live contract works and the different roles that everyone in the team plays to deliver on it. I am looking forward to continuing my studies and really hope to be able to follow a career in Civil Engineering."
Kerry Wilkie, People & Culture Lead at Pat Munro added: "As a local employer we're committed to supporting and encouraging the next generation of workforce in the sectors we work in and help inspire them in their chosen career path. Through initiatives like this we can give them the chance to gain skills and experience which will help them to become work ready. We see it as a win-win, as by boosting youth employment we are helping our region to grow and as a business we benefit from new ideas and the creativity that young people bring to our team."
