TWO Fife College students have started new careers in the construction industry after studying for an HND in quantity surveying.
Nicole King and Todd Fleming have both secured traineeships along with entry into third year at university to study for a degree in the subject.
Nicole, from Glenrothes, has been hired by Whiteburn Projects Ltd in Edinburgh as a trainee quantity surveyor, and will combine this while studying at Napier University.
Todd, from Cardenden, is due to complete his HND in June but has already secured a trainee position with Kirkcaldy-based Raeburn Construction, and gained direct access into third year at Heriot-Watt University.
Nicole said, “The quantity surveyor course at Fife College gave me a great insight into the construction industry and it had some amazing lectures that explained all the different elements of the role. In my second year, before the pandemic, I was given the opportunity to go to London to visit some of the most well-known pieces of architecture in the country which was a great life experience that has continued to motivate me in my career.”
Todd said, “Studying at Fife College helped me improve my knowledge of quantity surveying and the construction industry as a whole, which played a crucial part in me securing a job as a trainee in the industry. Similarly, working as a quantity surveyor in the construction industry has improved my work at college and made it a lot more understandable, and with the course taking up just two and a half days a week it meant I was able to secure my traineeship.”
Martina Brady, a built environment lecturer at Fife College, commented, “We are delighted that Todd and Nicole have used the knowledge they gained at Fife College to secure jobs as trainee quantity surveyors, while also continuing their studies at university. Our articulation agreements with Napier University, Heriot-Watt University & Robert Gordon University enable all HND students to progress onto the third year of the degree course, with many employers keen to fully support students throughout.
“Despite the challenges posed by the Coronavirus pandemic, the construction industry in Scotland is still very strong and we’re helping many people gain employment within it.”
