With demand for Site Engineers rising across the Highlands and Moray, Ali Sutherland joined Pat Munro, completed a diploma at UHI Inverness and now works on complex, community-focused projects — encouraging others to follow suit.

Considering a change of direction? For Ali Sutherland, stepping into a Site Engineer role with Pat Munro has reshaped his working life. Spurred by the growing need for skilled Civil Engineering professionals in the region — particularly trained Site Engineers — he explored the opportunities on offer and found a path with scope to grow.

After conversations with people already at the company and some research into progression routes, he decided to make the move. Today, Sutherland is a key part of the team, contributing to projects that offer variety, development and visible results in local communities.

Reflecting on why he took the plunge, Ali explains, "It was just time for a change in my own career. After speaking to people I knew at Pat Munro, they had nothing but good things to say about the company."

Civil Engineering was not the original plan, though construction always appealed. The Site Engineer position caught his eye and, when the chance arose to study at UHI Inverness, he seized it. Gaining a Diploma in Civil Engineering became a milestone that recognised both his commitment and professional progress.

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The day job is anything but repetitive. "One of the biggest attractions of being a Site Engineer is the diversity of the role" Ali says. On any given day, he might be setting out works, surveying, producing drawings, managing quality assurance, or overseeing health and safety. Some days involve travelling between multiple sites; others demand sustained focus on a single major scheme.

A highlight so far has been the Burn Road project in Inverness — a technically demanding programme featuring a new combined sewer overflow chamber, reinforced concrete structures, manholes and associated infrastructure. The blend of responsibility, technical challenge and concrete outcomes is what makes the role satisfying.

As Ali points out: "Construction today is far broader than many people realise. It’s not just traditional trades; it spans engineering, project management, surveying, health & safety, environmental planning, logistics, finance, and more. There is genuinely something for everyone."

For Sutherland, building a career close to home has been a major benefit. Pat Munro’s projects allow employees to develop without leaving the Highlands and Moray, contributing to places they know while being supported by a company with over 80 years of heritage. Working locally can mean less time commuting, stronger relationships with colleagues and clients, and the satisfaction of seeing the impact of your efforts first-hand.

Thinking about your first step into Civil Engineering or a Construction Apprenticeship? Ali’s message is clear: "Go for it. Pat Munro is a great company to work for, and there are great people here. You’ll learn a lot, not just from college, but from the colleagues you work with every day."

For those seeking variety, progression and meaningful work in a sector that continues to grow across the Highlands and Moray, Sutherland’s journey shows how taking that initial step can lead to recognised qualifications, increased responsibility and a career to be proud of.