Wills Bros Group awarded at Bentley Year in Infrastructure Awards 2026 in Singapore

We’re absolutely delighted to have won the award at the Bentley Year in Infrastructure 2026 for Dublin Port MPC Berth 52 and Berth 53 projects! A very proud and emotional moment and a fantastic recognition! It was a real privilege to be there, celebrating this achievement alongside so many talented people from across the industry. Congratulations to everyone –  seeing all the finalists’ work and vision for construction was inspiring and fuels hope for the future. Thank you for innovating for a better world!

Representing Wills Bros were Emilia Szymczak (BiM Manager), Roy Shivmangal (Senior Planner) and Liane Sanchez (BiM Technician. A huge thank you to Bentley Systems for organising such a fantastic event.

One of the highlights was seeing our Dublin Port MP2 Berths 52 & 53 project brought to life in VR. Simultaneously, on a second station it was displayed on a huge screen, and we could navigate through the project using a gaming console-style controller – an amazing way to experience the project from a completely different perspective!

Emilia Szymczak

The Bentley Lab was another highlight, giving us the chance to explore new digital solutions and see how technology is shaping the future of infrastructure and digital engineering. Proud to see our work presented on an international stage and to be part of such an inspiring event.

Singapore has also been amazing — taking home a very special award and memories that will stay with us for a long time.

Hams Hall BESS – now energised!

A major milestone has been reached at Hams Hall BESS, with both 400kV 220MVA Supergrid Transformers successfully energised, connecting the project to the National Grid.

Energisation took place on 30 September 2026, on programme. As EPC contractor for BW ESS, Wills Bros has delivered the engineering, procurement and construction of the project, with our electrical delivery partner Energy-IO completing the main electrical works. This milestone is the result of almost two years of planning, construction and complex engineering since we broke ground in October 2024.

At 350MW / 1.22GWh, Hams Hall is expected to be one of Europe’s largest operational BESS facilities by storage capacity when fully operational later this year. Well done to our team, Energy-io, and everyone across the supply chain and wider project team for their commitment and collaboration. Thank you to BW ESS for their trust and support throughout.

New Naver Bridge is officially opened!

It was great to see the new Naver Bridge officially opened, marking an important milestone for our team and everyone involved in the project.

Delivered on behalf of The Highland Council, the £15 million project has replaced the old bridge, which had served the community since the 1880s, removing a long standing bottleneck on the A836.

As well as delivering the new bridge, we’ve been keen to make sure that part of the history of the old bridge stays within the community. Pieces from the original structure are being gifted to the Community Council, creating a lasting link to a bridge that has been part of the area for well over 100 years.

Our team has also enjoyed getting involved with the local community throughout the project, including engagement with local schoolchildren, and we were pleased to assist with the delivery of a new footbridge improving access to Farr Beach.

I am delighted to be in this beautiful and historic part of the Highlands to mark the official opening of the new Naver Bridge. Today is a significant day for the local community, for the wider North Coast, and for everyone who relies on this important route. The council’s investment demonstrates our commitment to communities across Highland, both rural and urban, and ensuring that vital infrastructure continues to support economic growth, connectivity and resilience for generations to come.

Ken Gowans, chair of Highland Council’s economy and infrastructure committee

A big thank you to our project team, The Highland Council, our designers and supply-chain partners, and the local community for their support throughout.

A great project to have been part of and one that will leave a lasting legacy for the area.

Read more >> here and here

More Than Infrastructure, Creating Lasting Social Value in Glasgow’s Cowcaddens

With the Cowcaddens Road and Dobbie’s Loan public realm improvements now complete, we’re proud to reflect not only on what has been delivered on the ground, but on the wider social value created alongside the project. The completed works have transformed this part of Glasgow, delivering improved walking, wheeling and cycling connections, enhanced public realm, segregated cycling infrastructure and green and blue infrastructure, creating a greener, safer, more accessible and better connected environment for those who live, work, study and travel through the area.

But the impact of a project should extend beyond the infrastructure itself…

Throughout delivery, the project team worked with local schools, employability partners, community organisations and education providers to create opportunities and support communities across Glasgow. This included working with Action for Children to provide work experience placements and site visits; engaging with pupils from Glasgow Gaelic School; collaborating with Glasgow Caledonian University; creating apprentice and graduate opportunities; and supporting employability activity alongside DWP and Developing the Young Workforce.

We were also delighted to support the CECA Scotland Academy, host a Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) teacher placement through the STEM Ambassadors in Scotland team, and provide support to local organisations including the local Men’s Shed and Glasgow City Mission.
With the project taking place during Glasgow’s 850th anniversary year, members of the team also got involved in volunteering activities helping the city celebrate this important milestone. These are just a snapshot of the organisations, initiatives and individuals we engaged with throughout the project.

Delivering social value means using the opportunity created by infrastructure investment to build skills, open doors to employment, support communities and create connections that can continue long after construction has finished. We’re proud of what the project has achieved, both in delivering an improved public realm for Glasgow and in creating positive social impact alongside it. We are pleased to have delivered this project on behalf of Glasgow City Council.

(Photos of the opening of Cowcaddens and Dobbie’s Loan, Courtesy of Glasgow City Council.)

We’re delighted to have achieved Bronze accreditation from the Social Value Quality Mark, recognising our commitment to embedding social value across our business and the communities in which we work!

The accreditation reflects the work taking place across Wills Bros to create positive social, economic and environmental impact; from employment, skills and education to community engagement, local supply chains and volunteering.

Angela Newlands, Social Value & Communications Manager, said:

Social value has always been an important part of how we deliver our projects. Achieving Bronze gives us independent recognition of that commitment. It also provides a framework to build on what we already do and strengthen how we measure our impact and continue to create meaningful outcomes for the communities we work in.

Bronze is an important benchmark for Wills Bros as we continue to develop, measure and demonstrate the social value created through our projects and wider business activities.

A significant milestone has been reached on the Cullompton Town Centre Relief Road

Recently, representatives from Wills Bros joined Cullompton Town Council, Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council gathered to officially mark the start of construction. Wills Bros is proud to be delivering the new 1.35km relief road, giving traffic an alternative route between Station Road and Duke Street and easing congestion in the town centre. The project will also provide vital infrastructure to support the town’s future growth.

It is fantastic to finally see the ground being broken on the Cullompton Town Centre Relief Road. It has been in the making for a very, very long time. It’s great to see the partnership working between Cullompton Town Council, Mid Devon District Council and Devon County Council, and that’s the way forward for all of the infrastructure projects that Cullompton needs. We look forward to working closely with Devon County Council, our partners, local stakeholders and the wider Cullompton community as construction progresses.

Cllr James Buczkowski
Devon County Councillor for Cullompton and Bradninch and Cabinet Member for Finance at Devon County Council

Read more about the groundbreaking ceremony via Cullompton Town Council >> here

Building Social Value Through Our Supply Chain

In July 2026, representatives from Wills Bros visited Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company’s (SBMC) factory in Veterans Village, Erskine. Procurement Officers Darren Cooke and Mark Crombie were joined by Procurement Assistant Manager Lewis Campbell, Trainee Buyer Joe Finan, and Community Liaison Assistant Chloe Rhinds. The team were given a tour of the factory, led by Operations Manager Ian Allan, and chatted with Assistant Director Robert Lappin, along with Head of Sales Karen Ravenscroft and Training Manager Julie Scott, to learn more about the social enterprise and its values.

SBMC’s mission is “to enable veterans and others with disabilities to regain their independence through personal development involving employment and skills while providing a professional service and high-quality product.” Early in our conversation, Robert emphasised that opportunity is foundational to SBMC. He explained that, through both long- and short-term employment opportunities, SBMC gives people the chance to return to work after a period of unemployment and enables individuals to stay busy with purpose. In doing so, the organisation values the skills and knowledge of people who are often overlooked.

Robert shared two of SBMC’s success stories with us.

The first concerned an individual who went on to work as a call handler for the police force after spending a year at SBMC, where they regained the confidence to return to work. The second concerned an individual whom we met during our tour, a qualified maths teacher from Fiji, who struggled to find work after moving to Scotland with her husband, a British Army veteran, and discovering that her qualifications were not transferrable to the UK. SBMC offered her employment, and she is now an integral part of the team, often found zooming around the factory on the forklift, busily preparing dispatch paperwork, or ordering more materials.

SBMC’s values of integrity, motivation, ‘people first’, accountability, community, and teamwork (IMPACT) became evident as we toured its grounds.

The management office is cosy, with senior and junior members working together in a shared space, creating a notably welcoming atmosphere. In reception, a large collage of images shows SBMC colleagues laughing and working together, engaging in activities outside of work, and proudly accepting awards. Particularly noteworthy is the King’s Award for Enterprise, mounted at the centre of the collage. Awarded in 2023 and valid for five years, this award recognises SBMC as an enterprise that promotes opportunity, further supporting Robert’s comments. The factory also boasts a sizeable training room where employees gain accredited qualifications for both new and existing skills. As a Qualifications Scotland approved training centre, SBMC strives to continuously develop the knowledge of their workforce, with at least one to two hours of training allocated each week to learning & development. A final noteworthy point is SBMC’s commitment to sustainable practices. Ian Allan shared that waste from SBMC’s printing projects are reused wherever possible or recycled; nothing goes to landfill and they source all electricity from renewables.

As a registered charity, SBMC relies on the generosity of its funders to continue its production work and support the evolution of its mission.

Robert shared that around 12% of the social enterprise’s turnover comes from third party funders who value what the organisation is delivering. As a result, SBMC must undertake thorough internal and external audits to ensure that it is operating to its fullest potential and is always compliant with funders’ conditions.

We first became aware of Scotland’s Bravest Manufacturing Company through online research and engagement at several ‘Meet the Buyer’ events. Since then, we have worked with SBMC across several of our projects for the supply of site signage. As with all suppliers, they were assessed against key criteria including quality, service, lead times, and cost.

SBMC has invested in modern manufacturing equipment and has consistently demonstrated their ability to deliver high-quality products at competitive rates, with reliable lead times and excellent customer service.

They have also shown a willingness to go above and beyond when we require bespoke signage solutions or when urgent requirements arise, providing a flexible and dependable service that supports our project needs.

While our decision to work with SBMC is based on their ability to deliver the quality, service, and value we require, their wider social impact is an added benefit of the partnership. Knowing that our spend also supports an organisation to provide meaningful employment and skills development opportunities for veterans and people with disabilities, reinforces Wills Bros’ commitment to delivering positive social value through our supply chain. We are proud to support SBMC’s endeavours through our partnership.

Wills Bros support #NoWrongPath initiative!

We are taking part in DYW’s #NoWrongPath initiative to inspire and support the next generation of talent across Scotland.

By sharing our colleagues’ career stories, we aim to show that there is no single route to success. From unexpected turns to new and exciting opportunities, each journey highlighted is a reminder that career pathways are rarely straightforward.

𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗴𝗿𝗮𝘁𝘂𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗠𝗮𝘆𝗼! 💚❤️

We’ve been waiting a long time for this day.
Congratulations to the Mayo Team and commiserations to Kerry.
The hunger of this team was immense and no one was going to stop Sam McGuire from coming home !

Celebrating Pride Month

Throughout Pride Month, we asked colleagues across the business the question: “What does Pride mean to you?”

Their responses highlighted the importance of being yourself, respecting others, feeling accepted, and creating a workplace where everyone belongs. We also hosted a relaxed Pride Month Cake & Quiz drop-in, giving colleagues the opportunity to come together, enjoy some cake, test their knowledge, and start conversations about the significance of Pride. Small moments like these help create a culture where everyone feels welcomed, valued, and able to bring their whole selves to work.

Thank you to everyone who took part in helping us celebrate Pride Month. 🌈

We celebrate International Women in Engineering Day!

This year the theme is #EngineeringIntelligence.  We spoke to Zeta, our Survey Manager, who told us what Intelligence in civil engineering means to her.

‘Intelligence in civil engineering is about combining skill, judgement, and efficiency. The aim is to deliver high-quality results while making the best use of time, resources, and expertise…’

What do you find most rewarding about problem-solving on projects?

For me, one of the most rewarding parts of working in civil engineering is knowing that the work we do has a lasting impact. When you are involved in building infrastructure, you are not only creating something for the current generation, but something that will continue to be used by society for many years to come.

There is a real sense of pride in seeing a project develop from the early stages through to completion. You understand the amount of planning, coordination, and technical work that happens behind the scenes. When you look back on a completed project, you remember the challenges that were overcome and the contribution you made. That reflection is meaningful because the work becomes part of the community and continues to serve a purpose long after it is finished.

How would you describe the role of surveying within a project?

Surveying plays a crucial role at the beginning of a project and throughout its delivery. Before construction work can properly begin, accurate surveying is needed to understand the site, establish control, and provide the information required for the project team to work from. Without that foundation, it becomes much more difficult to deliver the project safely, efficiently, and accurately.

It is important to understand that surveying is not simply about pressing a button on a screen or relying on equipment to provide an answer. Technology is a valuable tool, but the surveyor must know how to use it correctly and interpret the information it provides. That requires a wide range of skills, including mathematics, science, engineering knowledge, and practical experience.

For example, modern surveying often uses satellite-based systems. To use those systems effectively, you need to understand the principles behind them, including aspects of physics and positioning. A surveyor brings all of these skills together to solve problems, support decision-making, and help the wider team achieve the project goals.

You have around thirty years of experience in surveying. What has kept you committed to the profession?

I have enjoyed my career very much, and I genuinely cannot imagine myself doing anything different. Surveying is a profession that has allowed me to keep learning, keep developing, and keep applying my knowledge to real-world projects.

Over the years, I have invested a significant amount of time into the profession. I have also achieved three degrees, which have helped strengthen my technical understanding and supported my development. However, practical experience is just as important. Working on projects over many years gives you judgement, perspective, and confidence in how to approach different challenges.

What keeps me committed is the combination of technical problem-solving and visible impact. You can see how your work contributes to the progress of a project, and that gives the role a strong sense of purpose.

Why did you choose to work with Wills Bros?

I chose Wills Bros because the company is focused on quality and on doing things correctly from the beginning. That is important to me. A successful project needs strong control from the outset, clear standards, and a commitment to getting the foundations right.

I also felt that I had knowledge and experience that I could bring to the project. I enjoy being involved from the early stages and helping to build something from scratch. There is a particular satisfaction in seeing a project grow from the initial groundwork into something tangible and valuable.

For me, Wills Bros provides an environment where experience, quality, and practical delivery are valued. That aligns well with the way I like to work and the standards I believe are important in civil engineering.

What does intelligence mean in civil engineering?

In civil engineering, intelligence means working in a thoughtful, efficient, and effective way. It is not only about working hard; it is about choosing the right methodology, understanding the problem, and applying the best solution.

Working intelligently means doing things properly from the beginning. If you establish the right approach early, you can reduce unnecessary effort, avoid repeated work, and deliver better outcomes. It is about working smart, making informed decisions, and using experience and technical knowledge to achieve more with less waste.

Ultimately, intelligence in civil engineering is about combining skill, judgement, and efficiency. The aim is to deliver high-quality results while making the best use of time, resources, and expertise.

The Hidden Struggle: Taking Action This Men’s Mental Health Month

June is recognised as Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month and PTSD Awareness Month. It is dedicated to breaking the stigma around emotional struggles, encouraging men to seek help, and highlighting effective treatments for trauma. While conversations around mental health are growing, men often face unique barriers to seeking help. Societal expectations, ingrained stigmas, and a lack of awareness contribute to a concerning reality. Also, the majority of workers in the construction industry are currently men. This Men’s Mental Health Awareness Month, let’s acknowledge these challenges head-on.

Key Statistics:

• Fact: Nearly 1 in 5 men experience some form of mental health condition.
• Urgency: Men are significantly less likely than women to seek professional mental health treatment.
• Stark Reality: Suicide rates among males are alarmingly higher, with men accounting for nearly 80% of all suicides. (Source: CDC, 2022)
• Common Issues: While often underreported, men commonly experience depression, anxiety, stress, PTSD, and substance use disorders.
• Mental Health Awareness Month:  reminds us that no one should struggle in silence. Everyone deserves support, respect, and a path to recovery.

How to Support Men’s Mental Health?

It’s time to build a culture of support and proactive care. Here’s how you can make a difference this June and every month:

• Open Conversations: Initiate discussions with the men in your life. Ask “How are you, really?” and truly listen without judgment.
• Challenge the Stigma: Educate yourself and others that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.
• Encourage Professional Help: Normalise therapy and counselling. Share resources for finding qualified mental health professionals.
• Promote Healthy Coping Mechanisms: Encourage regular exercise, limit alcohol, adequate sleep, balanced nutrition, and engaging in hobbies.
• Foster Connection: Combat isolation by promoting social engagement and supportive relationships.
• Look for Behavioural Changes in colleagues: Increased irritability, anger, aggression, risky behaviors (substance use, excessive gambling), social withdrawal.
• Speak Up: If you are suffering, don’t suffer in silence.

Support Services:

• Construction Industry Helpline – Tel: 0345 605 1956 (UK) 1800 939 122 (ROI)
• Samaritans – 116 123

We are delighted to have received the Contractor of the Month May 2026 Award!

Presented proudly in recognition of our strong commitment to safety on the project. This achievement reflects the dedication and professionalism of our entire team, who have consistently prioritised site safety while delivering all works in full compliance with all safety requirements, achieving Zero Harm throughout the project.

Wills Bros Group is currently delivering the main civil works on the Celtic Interconnector project in Ballyadam, Co. Cork. Since commencing the Enabling Works Contract in September 2023, we have progressed to the Main Civils Works phase, including the construction of:

• Control Building
• DC Hall
• Converter Building
• Transformer Area
• AC Yard
• Storage Building
  

This achievement highlights the strength of collaboration across all teams and partners involved in delivering a complex and critical energy infrastructure project. A sincere thank you to everyone involved for their continued commitment, discipline, and focus on delivering excellence safely every day!

SDP’s Meet The Buyer – Scotland

Wills Bros, closely cooperating with Supplier Development Programme, recently attended Meet the Buyer 2026! We’ve been delighted to present ourselves at the largest free procurement event, our Procurement Team meeting the crowds in the Construction Zone.

We are always keen to meet suppliers, subcontractors, SMEs and supported businesses who are interested in working with us and supporting the delivery of our projects across Scotland and beyond. Whether you’d like to discuss current opportunities, introduce your business, or learn more about becoming part of our supply chain, we’d always be delighted to speak to you. Get in touch!

We look forward to meeting you.

See the event details >>here.

Timahoe Solar Farm – Irish Construction Excellence (ICE) Awards 2026

We’re delighted to share that the Timahoe Solar Farm project has been recognised as a Judges Silver Award winner at the Irish Construction Excellence Awards 2026. The project marks a major milestone in Ireland’s renewable energy sector, as the first solar farm developed on peatland.

Timahoe is now generating 15MW of its planned 108MW capacity, with the potential to power approximately 25,000 homes with clean, renewable energy.

Wills Bros has successfully installed 62,500 piles and delivered key civils works, including drainage systems, fencing, and transformer foundations. Works are now progressing on the MV route and access tracks. A landmark sustainable infrastructure project and a fantastic achievement for everyone involved.

Congratulations to all involved! See the full list of nominees >>here.

A9 Dualling: Tay Crossing to Ballinluig team helps create inspiring outdoor learning spaces

Recently, the A9 project team, were delighted to support outdoor learning initiatives at two local schools close to our Kindallachan site as part of our social value commitments for the project. At Logierait Primary School, the project team donated log cuttings and bark to help revitalise the school’s outdoor garden area. Works included creating a new seating space named “The Hollow” along with a new garden path to enhance the area for outdoor learning and wellbeing activities.

Craigie Primary School also received log cuttings to support redevelopment of their outdoor seating area, helping create an improved space for pupils to learn and spend time outdoors. This forms part of our ongoing commitment to engaging with local schools and helping improve outdoor learning experiences within the communities surrounding our projects.

The team especially appreciated the fantastic thank you cards received from the pupils which reinforced the importance of maximising opportunities to support local communities and creating positive, lasting impact as we progress this vital infrastructure project.

Wills Bros were delighted to attend the Considerate Constructors Scheme 2026 National Site Awards in London

We were represented at the Awards by our Project Manager – Chris Dale who collected a Silver National Site Award on behalf of the B4063 Gloucestershire to Cheltenham Cycleway Scheme. Wills Bros delivered this scheme on behalf of our client Gloucestershire County Council between Jan 2024 and May 2025.

To achieve this award, the project performed amongst the top 20% highest performing projects throughout the UK & Ireland with a final visit score of 46/50. The project also achieved a maximum score of 15/15 in the three categories being assessed (community/environment/workforce) with a bonus point awarded for implementing industry best practice. The B4063 Project’s conformance to the CCS Code of Considerate Practice is categorised as ‘Outstanding’ under the schemes rating system.

The Considerate Constructors Scheme was established in 1997 as a not-for-profit organisation to improve the image of the construction industry. For over 30 years, it has worked alongside the industry to improve how it respects communities, protects the environment, and supports its workforce.

In 2024 alone, £219 billion of construction activity was registered with the scheme across 7,626+ sites, suppliers, and organisations, with 8,217 monitoring visits conducted to support compliance and drive improvement.

Initiatives Championed by the Project:

• Donated and installed bike racks next to the cycle way and a retail outlet.
• Conducted visits to schools and colleges to talk about cycle safety and construction safety.
• Held bridge kit construction at various schools.
• Provided work placement for students from Cirencester College.
• Took an excavator to a primary school to give a talk about construction.
• Donated materials to local school
• Attended a career fair at a local secondary school.
• Volunteer assistance at local food bank.
• Sponsors of local football club and helped to resurface car park and renovate club house.

Naver Bridge Replacement Site Team Help Build Local Footbridge

The Highland Council’s new Naver Bridge development has brought a welcome spin off for the local community. Contractors Wills Bros Group (WBCEL), who are completing the works on behalf of The Highland Council, aided with the installation of a new footbridge to Farr Beach, a project that was led by the Bettyhill, Altnahara and Strathnaver Community Council.

The Community Council had obtained funding from a variety of sources for a new footbridge, and WBCEL stepped in to provide labour and equipment to assist with the removal of the old structure and disposal of materials. The new Naver Bridge, located near Bettyhill along the A836, opened to traffic at the end of February.

Read the full story at The Highland Council website here

Kiltwalk Appeal – a partnership celebrating GCU’s 150th Anniversary.

Ten of our team set off recently for this year’s Kiltwalk, including some of our Wills Bros students, proudly joining Team GCU, and what a day for it was! We’re proud to be partnering with Glasgow Caledonian University for such an important event. Together, they covered over 14 miles as part of the GCU’s 150th anniversary, raising funds to support disadvantaged students and help transform lives through education.

A hat tip to everyone taking part!

Please check and support GCU’s Campaign here

A good start is half the work!

A significant milestone reached on the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project, with the official opening of Section 1 last Thursday in the presence of Minister Darragh O’Brien TD, Cathaoirleach Liam Callaghan, Chief Executive Shane Tiernan and TII CEO Lorcan O’Connor. Delivered approximately 18 months ahead of programme, this section represents 20% of the overall scheme and is already delivering real benefits for road users and the local community. This milestone reflects the dedication, expertise, and strong collaboration across the entire project team. Our thanks to everyone involved in making this possible.

We also extend our sincere appreciation to the local community for their patience and cooperation throughout construction period. With 73km of the N5 now delivered, our focused remains on delivering the remaining 27km and continuing to enhance this key national route.

The early opening of Section 1 of the N5 Ballaghaderreen to Scramoge Road Project reflects the hard work and coordinated effort across the project team. While it marks an important milestone, our focus remains firmly on the safe and successful delivery of the full scheme.

Tim Wills, Director, Wills Bros

We were pleased to attend Scotland’s first Youth Guarantee Jobs Fair which took place in the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall.

Officially opened by Pat McFadden, Secretary of State for the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP). With around 2,500 young people aged 16–24 in attendance, the event brought together over 60 employers and training organisations, all focused on supporting the next generation into employment.

Ours Aislinn Watters and Angela Newlands were on hand to share information on our current vacancies and speak with attendees about the wide range of roles and career pathways available within the construction industry. A great opportunity to engage with future talent and highlight the many routes into our sector!

Our team put the “T” in STEM when they attended a busy community careers fair in Cumbernauld, organised by DYW LED

We were delighted to bring along the Tenstar plant simulator, which proved a real hit outside Cumbernauld Shopping Centre on a rare sunny day. The simulator provides a realistic, hands on experience of operating construction plant machinery in a safe, controlled environment which gives participants a true feel for what it’s like to work as a plant operator. Inside, the team kept visitors engaged with interactive STEM activities, including our “Think Like an Estimator” challenge and hands on K’nex builds.

Events like this are a key part of our social value commitment, supporting local communities, raising awareness of careers in construction, and helping to build a strong future skills pipeline for the industry. Thanks to all the team and of course Gail McEwen from SPOA (Scottish Plant Owners Association) who gave us a crash course in the simulator!

Read more about STEM Ambassadors in Scotland and ICE Scotland

This Scottish Apprenticeship Week, 

we’re celebrating the apprentices across our business from site based roles to digital and technical pathways. The theme this year is ‘working for Scotland’. See below as we shine a spotlight on our apprentices and share their stories. Infrastructure isn’t just built on site, it’s powered by digital innovation behind the scenes.

• Meet Mitchell, our Graduate IT Apprentice, who is combining university study with real responsibility across our projects. From systems support to digital improvements that increase efficiency and collaboration, his role strengthens how we deliver our infrastructure projects in Scotland and throughout the UK. Apprenticeships aren’t one dimensional, they develop the diverse skills modern businesses need.
• Meet Lucas, one of our Civil Engineering Graduate Apprentices who is gaining hands on experience on live infrastructure projects while working towards his qualification.
  Apprenticeships in civil engineering build practical skills, confidence and long term careers, while supporting transport and community networks in Scotland and throughout the UK.

#SkillsDevelopmentScotland #Developing the Young Workforce #SkillsGeneration #ScotAppWeek25

This International Women’s Day, our colleagues across the business have shared their thoughts on this year’s theme: Give to Gain.

At Wills Bros, women represent 22% of our workforce, almost a quarter of our team compared with an industry average of around 14% across the construction sector (GoConstruct). While there is still progress to be made across the industry, it’s encouraging to see positive change taking place. Across our projects, engineering teams and support functions, talented women are helping to shape the work we deliver and the communities we work in every day.

We are proud of the contribution they make to our business and to the wider construction sector.