Building My Future While Building Scotland’s Infrastructure

When I finished school, I knew I wanted to study a degree, but I wasn’t sure the traditional university route was the right path for me. I’d already juggled school and part-time work, and the two never felt connected. I wanted a route where learning, earning, and professional development moved forward together.
 

That’s when I discovered BAM. I realised I’d already travelled on their roads, driven under their bridges, and passed their buildings without noticing. Infrastructure quietly shapes daily life but connecting it to the people behind these builds changed how I saw it, and I wanted to be part of that.

Now, I’m in the final phase of my second year, working on the Crossaig substation project in Argyll. Most weeks, that means living and working in a rural part of Scotland, on a live project, and contributing to infrastructure that will support the country’s energy network for decades. Alongside that, I attend block release at UHI Inverness, stepping back into academic study at key points in the year.

What makes the apprenticeship work so well is that it’s designed as one integrated programme. Site and study aren’t competing demands, they’re structured to complement each other. When I’m at university, I can focus fully on learning. When I return to site, I apply that knowledge in a real-world environment. That immediate connection between theory and reality accelerates your understanding in a way traditional routes can’t always replicate. The theory has context, and the practical work has deeper meaning. It doesn’t feel fragmented, it feels aligned.

I still remember my first weeks on the Crossaig project, driving through some of Scotland’s most striking glens. The road winds through hills and open landscape that naturally makes you pause and look around. One of the team said to me, “Don’t stop appreciating it.” At the time, they meant the scenery, but over time that advice has taken on a much deeper meaning.

Because appreciation isn’t just about the landscape. It’s about recognising the opportunity to be here at all.
Being part of a live project at this stage in my career means being trusted with responsibility while knowing support is always there. You learn from experienced engineers not just through formal instruction, but by watching how they think, how they solve problems and how they carry responsibility. That trust motivates you to step up, contribute, and take ownership of your own development. That kind of learning can’t be replicated in a classroom alone.

Working on energy infrastructure reinforces that perspective every day. The substation we’re delivering will operate for decades, quietly supporting homes, communities and businesses. Most people will never think about it. But I will. I’ll know what went into building it. I’ll know that, even early in my career, I played a part in delivering something that matters.

Looking back, I know I chose the right route, not because it was easier, but because it was more meaningful. Everything moves forward together: the learning, the experience, the responsibility, and the support. And that’s what appreciation has come to mean for me. Not just noticing where you are, but recognising the value of the opportunity, the people around you, and the work you’re helping bring to life.