Experience
We were delighted to welcome Civil Engineering students from The University of Strathclyde to our Head Office in Motherwell, a part of our commitment to inspiring the next generation of Civil Engineers.
This semester, under the expert guidance of our Technical Manager, Graham Lloyd, four students, Rachael Carlin, Calum Devlin, Ethan Horn and Jamie Ashe completed their mentorship journey. Through hands on experience, they gained practical insights into the complexities of Civil Engineering and explored the vast career opportunities within the industry.
Mentorship
As part of their learning experience, the students joined our Project Design Manager, Martyn Wright, for a visit to Hagshaw Windfarm in Lanarkshire. This on site visit offered them a firsthand look into the daily responsibilities of a Civil Engineer, deepening their understanding of life in the field. Beyond the site activities, the students also learned about the essential roles of our Commercial and Health & Safety teams, understanding the critical support they provide in construction projects.
The mentorship extended further, with Patrick O’Neill from our Environmental and Sustainability Department introducing them to the impact these roles have on the future of Civil Engineering. They were also given the opportunity to learn about the significance of Social Value and Community Benefits from Angela Newlands, who showcased the meaningful contributions of this department to our projects.
To prepare them for their future careers, Johanne Moohan equipped the students with crucial employability skills, including CV writing and tailored application techniques for roles within Wills Bros.
Topics Covered
- Learning about the Civil Engineering Industry
- Learning about Wills Bros
- Mentored by a Civil Engineering Manager
- Understanding the Engineering project stages from Tender to Design, Construction and Completion
- Gained an understanding of the Commercial Awareness
- Gained an understanding of Health and Safety and its critical place in construction
- Increased awareness of Environmental and Sustainability and the impact on our industry
- Learned about Social Value and Community benefits and the importance of this in our construction projects
- Visited Hagshaw Windfarm in Lanark and had a full experience of a day in the life of a civil engineer on site
- Employability skills including CV Writing and applying for a role with Wills Bros
- Career Development aligned with the ICE attributes,
Conclusion
By the end of their experience, the students had acquired a comprehensive understanding of the full lifecycle of Engineering projects, from Tender and Design to Construction and Completion, all while aligning with the professional attributes set by the Institution of Civil Engineers.
This meaningful partnership with The University of Strathclyde has been ongoing since 2017, with our team participating in initiatives such as the CE4R program and mentoring. It’s a collaboration we’re proud of, as it continues to encourage fresh talent and inspire the Civil Engineers of tomorrow.
