As the civil engineering industry continues to face national challenges around skills and workforce development, it’s more important than ever to support new talent entering all areas of the sector. It’s not only engineers and site operatives who keep our industry moving forward; business, commercial and support functions all play a vital role in ensuring infrastructure projects are delivered successfully.
CECA North East has recently appointed Eleanor Robson as a business administration placement. Eleanor is currently studying Business Administration and Management at New College Durham and has ambitions to pursue a career in human resources.
Through her one-year placement, she will gain valuable hands-on experience while developing the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a professional environment.
This appointment also complements the wider work of the CECA North East Foundations Group.
The group brings together early-career professionals, including apprentices, trainees and graduates from across the region. Its focus is on promoting the industry to young people, supporting career development and helping others understand the broad range of opportunities civil engineering has to offer.
A key initiative led by the group is the CECA North East College Bursary Programme, which offers financial support and mentoring to students pursuing civil engineering-related qualifications. The programme helps to remove barriers for those entering the industry and gives them access to real insights and encouragement from professionals already working within it.
While the North East continues to deliver high-quality infrastructure projects, we know that sustaining the industry, long-term, depends on investing in people, today. Apprenticeships and early-career support programmes are essential parts of that approach.
The national skills shortage is a shared challenge but by creating opportunities and supporting development at every level, we can ensure the future of our industry is in capable hands.
By Stuart Miller, director, Civil Engineering Contractors Association (North East)