A GRADUATE engineer has praised a Scottish university’s apprenticeship scheme, branding it a route into the industry for people of all backgrounds.
Megan McGaw was the only woman amongst the initial cohort who went through the University of Strathclyde’s Civil Engineering Graduate Apprenticeship Scheme.
The scheme meant she could combine her studies at Strathclyde towards a Bachelor of Engineering Honours degree and gain work experience with East Kilbride-based Dougall Baillie Associates (DBA).
McGaw has praised the scheme and says that the route which allowed her to combine work and study is a viable option for people of all backgrounds to get involved in the industry.
She said: “I would highly recommend the Civil Engineering Graduate Apprenticeship (GA).
“It allows you to gain professional work experience while advancing with your studies. I feel that this approach to study has definitely helped me successfully graduate with a 2:1.
“As a student coming straight from school, I found the support and advice from my colleagues invaluable, not only with the day-to-day work but with my studies too.
“Being the only female within Strathclyde’s first cohort of Civil Engineering GA course, I would definitely recommend anyone from all backgrounds to join if interested in this route.”
McGaw first started her work experience with DBA as part of her school studies at St Andrews and St Brides School in East Kilbride.
Then she entered university through the traditional route, but her colleagues at DBA pointed out the non-traditional route of the GA scheme.
Scott McPhail, DBA director, said: “During the four years she has been working within our business four days a week, plus one day set aside within the working week for study.
“As part of the GA process, she had been encouraged to complete her Institution of Civil Engineers’ (ICE) Initial and Continuing Professional Development records and, as a result she is now poised to apply for membership of ICE in June 2024.
“This timescale to professional qualification is significantly quicker than the traditional, university study route were, typically, an aspiring student would only now be starting on the concluding part of their journey.”
“Overall, we think the GA process is preferable to the traditional route.
“From the trainee’s perspective, they earn a salary throughout while having the support, mentoring and practical guidance of an established company throughout their learning experience.
“From a company perspective, the ability to have a graduate level employee who also has four years of company and project specific experience is invaluable.”
