Scottish Apprenticeship Week celebrates the vital role apprenticeships play in forming careers and developing the skilled workforce which our industry depends on. At George Leslie, we’re proud to champion our apprentices and we recognise the impact they make across our projects and in the communities we work in.
For our ten current apprentices (Graduate and HND), learning on the job and contributing to projects were the biggest attractions. Being able to earn a wage at the same time made the apprenticeship route an easy choice over a purely academic path.
Among our apprentices is Ethan McMurdo, a first-year Graduate Apprentice, who shared what drew him to this route:
“I’ve always been hands-on and enjoyed working, but I also did well at school. Studying came naturally enough, even if I didn’t always enjoy it. That’s why the apprenticeship route appealed to me – it let me combine learning with practical, on-the-job experience, which I find much more motivating.
Earning a wage is a bonus, of course, but for me it’s more about gaining real experience while I study. I’ve never been someone who wanted the full student lifestyle, so this path felt like the right fit.”
While no two days as a Civil Engineer are the same, a typical week for an apprentice at George Leslie involves four days a week with one day at college or university. While the apprentices collectively said they enjoy being out on site the most, this practical experience serves them well in their studies.
Graduate Apprentice Emma Kate Gallagher was awarded the UWS Court Medal for being the top student in her 2nd Year BEng Civil Engineering studies. She believes her apprenticeship has taught her practical skills as well as the opportunity to learn working alongside senior engineers with several decades’ worth of experience.
She said: “You learn how to work and gain practical skills like communication. University gives you the academic side of things, and the apprenticeship adds real-world experience.
I’ve worked with engineers who can quote spec from memory, that always amazes me. Some of my colleagues have been in the industry longer than I’ve even been alive, and the amount of knowledge they’ve built up is incredible!”
This sentiment was echoed by Zafirah Khan, who noted her apprenticeship has made her feel more comfortable asking questions and taking initiative. She said:
“Working on site has taught me how to speak to supervisors, work as part of a team, and take responsibility for tasks. I’ve also improved my time management, reliability, and problem-solving skills.”
What surprised each apprentice, in a positive way, was the responsibility they are trusted with from the outset. Whether working on the Camps Reservoir Spillway Upgrade, the Kilmarnock South Battery Energy Storage System, or the Purdomstone Reservoir discontinuation project, they found themselves contributing to meaningful, hands‑on work.
Reflecting on his experience, Euan Kirkup noted:
“I was surprised by how much responsibility you’re trusted with early on. It’s been good to be involved in real engineering tasks like setting out and quality checks, rather than just observing.”
Commenting on the success of apprenticeships in the business, Operations Director Tony Fry said:
“Apprenticeships at George Leslie have consistently delivered outstanding results, producing highly capable and well-rounded employees who understand how we work, what we expect and the standards we build to.
We are proud of the relationships we have built with UWS, GCU, CECA Academy and Tigers to support this important aspect of our work.”
We asked each apprentice what advice they would give to themselves knowing what they know now on their very first day. The resounding response was to keep asking questions, as that is the best way to learn. However, Nico Marturano and Connor Cairney offered more practical advice – “don’t wear a shirt and tie on your first day because it’s not an office job!”
Our apprenticeships have provided our young engineers with the skills and experience required to succeed, and their development has become a real asset to the company. They enhance our project teams and contribute to the strong, collaborative culture we are proud of.