CDN College Awards: UHI Inverness and partners shortlisted for delivering civil engineering academy

UHI Inverness has been shortlisted for a national college award in recognition of a successful partnership approach that introduced a course to fill a growing skills gap in the civil engineering industry.

UHI Inverness, on behalf of the partners, has been named as a finalist in the Employer Connections Award category of the CDN College Awards 2025 for 'The CECA Scotland Academy – A National Model for Employer-Led Skills Development'. 

It recognises the work by UHI Inverness, partner colleges, CECA Scotland, professional bodies and civil engineering employers in delivering the successful 18-week CECA Scotland Academy programme that guarantees job interviews to completing Civil Engineering Operative students. 

UHI Inverness worked with the Civil Engineering Contractors Association Scotland, Energy Skills Scotland and Fife College to introduce the NPA Construction Operations course in 2023 to meet the industry's workforce needs. 

Since then, four groups of students have completed the course at UHI Inverness, and many have gone on to secure jobs in the industry. 

UHI Inverness has also shared its knowledge within the sector, and the course has been introduced in a further four colleges - UHI North, West and Hebrides; Dundee and Angus College, South Lanarkshire College and West College Scotland.

Local employers have supported the programme in a wide variety of ways, including providing supplies, sharing their skills and attending graduation and recruitment networking events, redefining employer-led education in Scotland.

The nomination was submitted on behalf of CECA Scotland, UHI Inverness, Fife College, UHI NWH, Dundee and Angus College, South Lanarkshire College and West College Scotland by Carrie Higgins, the Tertiary Education Leader at UHI Inverness.

She said:

“Through a shared vision and collaboration the CECA Scotland Academy has created a transformative learning experience. The CECA Scotland Academy has redefined employer-led education in Scotland, creating a scalable, sustainable model that bridges critical skills gaps and delivers real-world impact for learners, employers, and the wider economy. The CECA Scotland Academy is a ground-breaking collaboration between CECA Scotland and six further education colleges. Co-designed to address a critical skills gap in civil engineering, the academy delivers a unique, 18-week, hands-on programme simulating the role of a civil engineering operative. Learners engage in live project work, site visits, and mentoring, developing both technical and meta-skills essential for the modern workforce.
“Employers are integral to every stage, from curriculum design to training delivery and recruitment support. Their contributions include guest lectures, site experiences, donated materials and guaranteed interviews, with many offering employment to graduates. 
“This deep engagement has driven the creation of a new Modern Apprenticeship pathway and boosted workforce capacity. With 14 cohorts completed across six colleges, it directly supports Scotland’s Developing the Young Workforce and Skills Strategy, offering a national blueprint for inclusive, future-focused, employer-led education.”

This year the CDN awards, which celebrates the talent, skills and achievements of colleges, their staff and student, received a record 199 submissions.  The winners will be announced at a celebration ceremony at Radisson Blu, Glasgow on Thursday 4 December 2025.