Dougall Baillie Associates (DBA), one of Scotland's major independent engineering consultancy firms, is continuing its commitment to nurturing future talent by taking on a new intake of apprentices for the coming academic year.

This marks the sixth consecutive year the East Kilbride firm, which specialises in major road and infrastructure projects, has backed these alternative routes into the civil engineering profession.

The new intake consists of:

Two Civil Engineering Graduate Apprentices (GAs): These learners will attend the University of Strathclyde while contributing to the firm's day-to-day work.

One Technical Apprentice: This apprentice will attend college at the Springburn Campus of Glasgow College to pursue a two-year, part-time HNC.

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The new recruits will join a substantial cohort of apprentices who are currently working through their qualifications while gaining real-world experience.

Scott Macphail, Director of Civil Engineering at DBA, expressed his delight, noting that the apprentice intake consistently shows the enthusiasm and determination to become valuable additions to both the firm and the wider profession. He highlighted the benefits of the work-based approach: "Rather than going to university or college full-time, they have chosen to become involved in real-world situations, solving actual problems and facing day-to-day challenges, while at the same time earning a substantial salary and remaining free of student debt."

Among the new intake is Luke McEwan (17), who chose the working route despite having unconditional offers from three universities, and Romeo Fisabilillah (18), who impressed the firm at a careers fair and is now joining the Strathclyde program after working with DBA over the summer. The technical apprentice, Elliot Hughes (16), came straight from school, preferring to get a job and undertake his HNC part-time.

Mr. Macphail praised the GA route, noting that from an employer's perspective, it allows the firm to build up its staff from scratch. He added that given the choice between a recently finished graduate and a GA, he would "take the GA every time".