CECA Scotland Academy

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CECA Scotland Academy

The CECA Scotland Academy creates a route from college into employment

26/08/2026

The industry challenge is clear: a skills shortage, ageing workforce and growing demand.

These challenges are no secret, they are what drive the CECA Scotland Academy to make a real difference.

Steven Deans, Managing Director at Deans Civil Engineering Limited shares below how it’s helping employers:
• Access new talent
• Fill critical roles
• Support growth across Scotland’s infrastructure market

Maintaining its success depends on continued industry involvement, ensuring the Academy remains aligned with workforce needs and continues to deliver at scale.

To find out more and how to get involved email [email protected]

10/08/2026

The skills challenge facing civil engineering is not going away.

The CECA Scotland Academy is helping to build a consistent pipeline of work-ready talent, shaped by industry and aligned to real workforce needs.

Continued engagement from CECA Scotland members will be vital to ensuring the programme continues to deliver at scale and support the future needs of the sector.

If you'd like to learn more about the Academy, discuss how your organisation could benefit, or explore ways to get involved, please get in touch or find out more at: https://cecascotlandacademy.co.uk/support-the-academy/

06/08/2026

As week continues, Isla Hillyear Hill, Sector Pre-Construction Lead at BAM UK & Ireland, shares how a change in direction led her to a career in civil engineering.

After starting her working life in an administrative role, Isla went on to study Quantity Surveying at university and gained hands-on industry experience through a summer placement with BAM.

Her experience shows that career paths are rarely linear. Exploring new opportunities, gaining practical experience and being open to change can lead to rewarding careers in the civil engineering sector.

05/08/2026

It’s week and we're joining the campaign by highlighting the different routes that can lead to a rewarding career in civil engineering. From apprenticeships and industry training programmes to college and university, there are many pathways into the sector.

Last year, as part of our Career Journeys campaign, Mark Wilson, Construction Director at Mackenzie Construction, shared how he was inspired to pursue a career in civil engineering after realising it offered the perfect combination of academic learning and hands-on outdoor work.

Civil engineering apprenticeships allow people to earn while they learn, gain valuable industry experience and work towards recognised qualifications. They provide a practical route into a sector that offers long-term career opportunities across site engineering, project management, commercial roles and much more.

21/07/2026

Overcoming challenges together.

For many employers, transport to site can be a barrier when bringing new people into the industry, particularly for those at the early stages of their careers.

Across the sector, organisations are working to address this through practical, collaborative approaches, finding ways to make entry into civil engineering more accessible.

This reflects a wider commitment from industry.

Despite the challenges, employers remain positive about the people coming through the CECA Scotland Academy and are focused on making it work.

As workforce pressures continue, this type of collective problem‑solving will be essential to widening access and ensuring the sector can attract and retain new talent.
Sustained progress will depend on industry continuing to adapt, collaborate and remove barriers where possible.

🔗 Learn more: https://cecascotlandacademy.co.uk/support-the-academy/

16/07/2026

The CECA Scotland Academy is designed to be a starting point, not a destination.

Graduates leave the programme with recognised qualifications, practical experience and the confidence to take their next step into the industry. From there, a range of further opportunities are available to support long-term career progression.

These include:

• Modern Apprenticeships
• SVQ qualifications and CSCS Blue Card progression
• Further study and specialist qualifications
• Technical, supervisory and management career pathways

The Academy provides employers with access to individuals who are ready to continue developing their skills while contributing in the workplace from an early stage.

Creating a stronger workforce is about more than attracting new entrants. It's about providing clear, structured routes for people to build long-term careers in civil engineering.

Find out more about the Academy and how to get involved: https://cecascotlandacademy.co.uk/support-the-academy/

15/07/2026

Meet Erika McIntosh, Quantity Surveyor at RJ McLeod (Contractors) Limited.

Erika plays a key role in keeping projects moving, managing costs, producing monthly reports, and staying closely connected to everything happening on site. It’s a position rooted in teamwork, problem‑solving and being involved from the earliest stages through to delivery.

Erika’s experience reflects the reality of modern construction: collaborative, dynamic, and full of opportunities to learn and grow. As a woman in the industry, she’s part of a workforce that’s helping to shape a more inclusive and representative future for civil engineering.

08/07/2026

“Nothing but positive.”

That’s how industry partners describe their experience working with the CECA Scotland Academy.

A collaborative approach means:
• Employers help shape training
• Colleges adapt to industry needs
• Learners are better prepared for work

This alignment is already delivering results and building confidence across the sector.
It also sets a clear direction for what comes next.
As demand for skilled people continues to grow, maintaining this level of collaboration will be critical to sustaining and strengthening the talent pipeline.
The progress made so far reflects what can be achieved when industry works together. The next step is to build on that momentum.

🔗 Get involved: https://cecascotlandacademy.co.uk/support-the-academy/

30/06/2026

What if training didn’t just prepare people for work, but led directly into it?

The CECA Scotland Academy Model is doing exactly that.

Designed in partnership with employers, colleges and industry bodies, the programme gives learners hands-on experience, real site expectations, and the skills needed to step straight into civil engineering roles.

💡 Employer-led from day one
🏗 Real-world environments
🤝 Guaranteed interviews for all graduates

As demand for skills grows, sustained involvement from CECA members will be key to ensuring the Academy continues to deliver at scale and remains aligned with the needs of civil engineering across Scotland.

A stronger workforce does not happen by chance. It is built through collective action.

How to get involved: https://cecascotlandacademy.co.uk/support-the-academy/

19/06/2026

CECA Scotland Academy Graduations – Class of 2026!

Yesterday marked a major milestone as we celebrated the final graduation of our 2026 cohort of Civil Engineering Operatives from the CECA Scotland Academy at Fife College.

We extend our gratitude to all the staff at Fife College for their dedication in delivering this course, as well as everyone who came along to support our graduates, share advice, and help shape the next generation of infrastructure talent. Your presence is truly appreciated.

A special thank you to Paul Ingham for coming along and speaking to the students and presenting them with their certificates.

These individuals have been trained to hit the ground running. They’re motivated, skilled, site-ready and excited to kick off their careers as civil engineering operatives.

To get involved with the CECA Scotland Academy please contact
[email protected]

(contractors)

Address

CECA
Stirling
FK77UF

Telephone

+441786430007

Website

https://cecascotlandacademy.co.uk/, https://cecascotland.co.uk/, https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCh2Zrf9Nq9LCVmooXd6un-

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