CAREER JOURNEYS
Campaign Wrap-up
October 2025
Introduction
We’ve now officially wrapped up Career Journeys, the latest campaign in our Engineering Scotland’s Future initiative.
Civil engineering contracting is a sector that shapes communities, strengthens economies, and builds a sustainable future for Scotland. But there’s no single route into the industry — and that’s what makes it accessible to so many.
Through Career Journeys, we’ve showcased the diverse pathways people take into civil engineering contracting from apprenticeships to university and from first jobs to senior leadership. We continue our aim to inspire the next generation of talent and highlight that every journey matters.
Career Journey: From Trainee Engineer to Construction Director
Mark Wilson began his career with Mackenzie Construction in 1989 as a Trainee Engineer, completing his apprenticeship before moving through the ranks to progress to Construction Director.
His career journey demonstrates the opportunities for growth and long-term development within civil engineering contracting.
Hear Mark’s full story in our video here.
Q&A with Juliet Mallace: Building Futures in Scotland’s Civil Engineering Sector
Apprenticeships give young people the chance to earn while learning, gaining hands-on experience and building a career in civil engineering contracting. They provide a practical, future-proof pathway into the industry, offering opportunities for real impact from day one.
Earlier this year, we sat down with Juliet Mallace who leads the CECA Scotland Academy to discuss pathways into the industry and how industry collaboration is key to building a future-ready workforce.
Read the feature here.
Why Should Young People Consider a Career in Civil Engineering?
Ever wondered why a career in civil engineering contracting could be the right choice?
From exciting, varied roles to opportunities that could take you from trainee to top of your field, people from across the industry share what makes their careers so rewarding.
Hear their thoughts at our video here and discover the many paths that can lead you to a future in civil engineering.
Every journey is unique — what will yours look like?
Q&A with Steven Deans: Building Careers from the Ground
Up
Progression in civil engineering doesn’t take decades—it can happen in just a few years. Many start on the tools and move quickly into leadership, proving that talent and hard work are recognised early.
Steven Deans, Managing Director at Deans Civil Engineering recently sat down with us to share an insight into his career journey, read the feature here.
Career Journeys: Jemma Bartlett
From joinery to civil engineering, Jemma Bartlett’s career has taken a few turns and each one has built on the last.
After working as a joiner and taking time out to raise her child, Jemma returned to work before an injury prompted her to look for a new direction in civil engineering contracting.
Jemma then went onto study at the CECA Scotland Academy to build confidence after time away from larger industrial projects. Upon her graduation Jemma was offered a role at Global Infrastructure where she is now a Trainee Site Manager gaining exposure to large scale wind farm projects across the Highlands.
Her
advice for anyone thinking about joining the industry:
“Ask companies if they’d be willing to take you on for a week’s work experience and do your research on what area of the industry you’d like to go into — there are so many different avenues.”
Watch the video here.
Inside Civil Engineering Careers: Remediation Manager
We’re excited to share that CECA Scotland has launched a new TikTok channel.
As part of our ‘Engineering Scotland’s Future’ initiative, the channel will help us engage younger audiences and promote the wide range of rewarding careers available in civil engineering contracting.
Our latest video features James Blair from ERS Remediation, who offers an insight into his role as Remediation Manager and the vital work his team carries out across Scotland.
To see more of this type of content follow us on TikTok here.
Stay tuned for our next campaign as we continue our #EngineeringScotlandsFuture initiative.
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