Student story: Supporting graduate apprentices inspired Kenna to achieve her own degree
Kenna Warren never thought she was ‘brainy enough’ to achieve a degree, despite enjoying a long, varied and demanding career.
But that’s exactly what she did when she completed a graduate apprentice in Construction and the Built Environment while working as an assessor at UHI Inverness.
She was inspired to embark on the degree while encouraging the apprentices to complete their studies - and realised that she could do the same.
Kenna now has ambitions to gain her honours degree in the future with the aim of becoming a lecturer.
Her journey towards this achievement began several years earlier.
“I had worked for Moray Council in the Roads Department since 1989, starting off in admin and then in 2004 moving into the Roads Consultancy as a technical clerk,” she said.
“In 2009 they offered me the role of a civil engineering technician, which brought me to UHI Inverness to start my apprenticeship journey. I have always been interested in civil engineering, but being older and a mum, financially full-time education wasn’t an option.
“When I was offered the technician role with the chance to retrain locally on block release, I jumped at the chance! So, in 2009, aged 40, my modern apprenticeship journey began with the NC and then HNC in civil engineering. However once UHI Inverness started the graduate apprenticeship, I returned in 2017 and went on to complete the GA diploma in civil engineering.
“UHI Inverness inspired me and I realised I wanted to help future apprentices on their journey. I left Moray Council in 2020 to join UHI Inverness as an assessor/trainer for the modern apprentices in the Civil Engineering and Built Environment.
“In my role I was encouraging apprentices to continue their studies and complete a graduate apprenticeship, which made me wonder if I could also continue my learning journey and pass a degree. With the encouragement from colleagues and family, at the age of 55, I was back as a graduate apprentice starting the Construction and Built Environment degree.”
Kenna relished the opportunity to study again, encouraged by the support of her family.
“The combination of on-campus and online learning gave a good balance and worked for me,” she said.
“I love research, and I had great fun doing case studies on both old and new subjects. I found that incorporating both previous and current job experience as part of my coursework was very helpful and beneficial to completing the course.
"Each lecturer had their own style which I enjoyed, and it made each subject different and engaging. They were all very encouraging, patient and supportive, as I always had a lot of questions!
"If I am honest, I never thought I was brainy enough to gain a degree and I still can’t believe that I passed let alone with distinction! I feel more confident both personally and professionally, particularly when encouraging students. I have put my money where my mouth is! I am currently enjoying the moment, and I will definitely use this experience within my current role to encourage future students. In time I may return to complete my honours and possibly become a lecturer for UHI Inverness.”