The demand for skilled people in the civil engineering sector continues to grow across Scotland.
The CECA Scotland Academy is playing an important role in addressing this challenge, providing practical, industry-led training and clear routes into employment.
The programme is already delivering strong outcomes:
• 180 graduates
• 71% progressing into positive destinations
• 8 delivery partners across Scotland
The continued success of the Academy relies on sustained engagement from CECA Scotland members.
This is an industry-led model, shaped by employers and aligned to real workforce needs. Its impact is built on collective involvement, helping to develop a consistent pipeline of work-ready talent for the sector.
As workforce pressures increase, participation across the industry will be essential to maintain capacity, capability and long-term resilience.
We encourage members to engage with the Academy and continue playing an active role in supporting the next generation entering civil engineering contracting.
What stands out most about CECA Scotland Academy graduates?
Enthusiasm.
In an industry facing an ageing workforce, that energy and willingness to learn is making a real impact. Through an intensive 18-week programme, participants don’t just gain technical knowledge, they experience the realities of the job:
Turning up every day.
Working outdoors in all conditions.
Building the discipline and resilience the sector needs.
And employers are already seeing the difference.
Graduates arrive with:
✅ A strong work ethic
✅ A ‘can do’ attitude
✅ A solid grounding in health & safety
✅ A readiness to learn on the job
That foundation matters, because skills can be taught, but attitude is what drives success.
The continued impact of the Academy depends on industry involvement. We encourage members to engage with the Academy and play an active role in supporting its ongoing success.
Matthew Hogg, CECA Academy Graduate
We recently caught up with Matthew Hogg, one of CECA Scotland Academy's early graduates, to see where his journey has taken him since completing the Academy.
Today, Matthew is working on a flood prevention scheme with Balfour Beatty plc, applying the skills and experience he developed through the programme from day one.
One of his highlights?
Getting hands-on and experiencing what working on site is really like.
It’s this kind of practical, employer-led learning that helps people build confidence and transition successfully into the workforce.
Stories like Matthew’s demonstrate the long-term impact the Academy can have, not only for individuals entering the industry, but for employers looking to build a strong future workforce
What if training didn’t just prepare people for work, but led directly into it?
The CECA Scotland Academy Model is doing exactly that.
Designed in partnership with employers, colleges and industry bodies, the programme gives learners hands-on experience, real site expectations, and the skills needed to step straight into civil engineering roles.
💡 Employer-led from day one
🏗 Real-world environments
🤝 Guaranteed interviews for all graduates
As demand for skills grows, sustained involvement from CECA members will be key to ensuring the Academy continues to deliver at scale and remains aligned with the needs of civil engineering across Scotland.
A stronger workforce does not happen by chance. It is built through collective action.
Read more here
“Nothing but positive.”
That’s how industry partners describe their experience working with the CECA Scotland Academy.
A collaborative approach means:
• Employers help shape training
• Colleges adapt to industry needs
• Learners are better prepared for work
This alignment is already delivering results and building confidence across the sector.
It also sets a clear direction for what comes next.
As demand for skilled people continues to grow, maintaining this level of collaboration will be critical to sustaining and strengthening the talent pipeline.
The progress made so far reflects what can be achieved when industry works together. The next step is to build on that momentum.
Overcoming Challenges Together
For many employers, transport to site can be a barrier when bringing new people into the industry, particularly for those at the early stages of their careers.
Across the sector, organisations are working to address this through practical, collaborative approaches, finding ways to make entry into civil engineering more accessible.
This reflects a wider commitment from industry.
Despite the challenges, employers remain positive about the people coming through the CECA Scotland Academy and are focused on making it work.
As workforce pressures continue, this type of collective problem‑solving will be essential to widening access and ensuring the sector can attract and retain new talent.
Sustained progress will depend on industry continuing to adapt, collaborate and remove barriers where possible.
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