GA Journeys: Mollie Gilmore (McLaughlin and Harvey)

Mollie Gilmore is a 1st year Graduate Apprentice on our Construction and the Built Environment GA programme. She is employed as a Trainee Quantity Surveyor with one of our key employer partners, McLaughlin & Harvey.

Mollie started her higher education journey as an undergraduate studying neuroscience at a different university, planning ahead for a career in researching neurodegenerative diseases. However, juggling university studies with having to earn money via part-time work led Mollie to start looking at a Graduate Apprenticeship as a learning style better suited to her own needs.

Having left university and while looking for the right Graduate Apprenticeship, Mollie embarked on a year long Business Administration apprenticeship, boosting her skillset. After completing that, Mollie was ready to start her GA journey with McLaughlin & Harvey.

Can you tell us a bit about your current role

Currently, I am employed as a trainee quantity surveyor. Assigned to the Wester Hailes High School project, I work mostly on site to assist our team with procurement of new subcontractors, collate order documents, communicate with our supply chain, review tender offers, process subcontractor payment applications and generally keep on top of the organisation of commercial information on site.

My role involves regularly exercising problem solving and critical analysis skills, all of which depend on an acute attention to detail and the initiative to think outside the box. I also frequently volunteer myself to participate in site walks to expand my general project knowledge of construction technologies and gain industrial insights out-with my commercial team. These insights enable me to perceive each package we procure comprehensively throughout the programme. Where I find the spare time, I will also work through either of the yearly portfolios I am currently completing for my first-year course at university.

What was it about the Graduate Apprenticeship that appealed to you most?

The prospect of being rewarded for my hard work financially while gaining hands on experience and guidance from professionals was a no-brainer for me. McLaughlin and Harvey stood out as an employer as looking through their company website, I was impressed by the extent and variety of projects the company have undertaken, and the inclusivity of their branding which appealed to me as a young woman embarking on employment in a largely male-dominated and unfamiliar industry.

I have always been a hard worker, being nominated school captain and always being keen to break into my career. After my initial undergraduate experience, I was desperate to secure an opportunity in an environment where my diligence would be recognised, while receiving more individualised support.

How have you coped with balancing work and studies?

I have found the structure of my working hours to hugely benefit my ability to complete university work. My employers are hugely accommodating of my need to set aside time for study and are considerate of my workload when deadlines approach or my ‘to-do list’ piles up.

I find myself to be a lot more focused while engaging with my day-to-day workload on site, which creates the right mindset for beginning my work and planning for university-related tasks.

I find that I produce work of a better standard when working on my portfolio on site, having access to resources and experts that can lend assistance and engage in discussion around my report work.

Where do you feel you grew and improved the most through this apprenticeship experience?

I am mostly proud of my progress in establishing myself as a member of my site team and developing my confidence socially. Working on site can provide its challenges, however I have grown to adapt to this unpredictable environment where there is a constant flow of debate.

It is quite daunting as an apprentice, new to the construction industry, to also contribute my own insights to conversations. However, over time I have grown to recognise that my voice is also heard and recognised by those around me.

I've found that the opportunity to create professional relationships and establish myself as a valuable member of a team has grown my personal confidence within the industry and allowed me to believe in my own abilities to perform well as a quantity surveyor. The welcome I received upon my arrival made me feel comfortable and accepted in an unknown environment, and as a result I feel I've developed the ability to stand my own ground and put forward questions that will develop my understanding. It has always been emphasised by the team that support is available whenever I need it, and the opportunity to enquire endlessly about my role at McLaughlin & Harvey or workload at University has massively aided my progression throughout the course.

How has your Graduate Apprenticeship enabled you to develop in your role?

As I am studying Construction and the Built Environment, my studies are not restricted to the scope of my role as a quantity surveyor. The research I have been completing for my portfolios has depended on communication between myself and a variety of departments on site, meaning I have been able to branch out from my commercial team and connect also with our design, operations, engineering and administrative teams to learn more. This networking will prove to be beneficial for me further down the line when seeking support from others, promotion, and when making decisions as a QS that must consider more than just my own niche of the industry.

What support has your employer and the Uni has given you in your GA journey?

My employer has provided unwavering support for my growth as a student, being extremely accommodating when deadlines approach or my workload piles up and I need to prioritise university work. Their key priority is getting me through my degree, and it has been said time and again that if I need time to focus on my studies, to take it.

Heriot-Watt is invested in the success of their students. At university, I feel recognised by my tutors, with my course leads always available to answer questions and adopting a personable, friendly approach to engage students in course materials.

What are your future career aspirations?

In the short-term, my main aim is to support the business by sustaining a productive work ethic, while also supporting other members of my team to get through their workload. I hope to promote a positive business-wide attitude, which will help McLaughlin & Harvey in achieving their value-based goals within the construction industry. In 4 years, I aim to have completed my Graduate Apprenticeship, achieving a permanent place within my company.

As opposed to those taking on undergraduate degrees, I will have gained invaluable first-hand experience in the industry. I am fortunate enough that I will not need to face the same daunting process of starting fresh at a new place of work and redeveloping skills that a freshly graduated student must overcome.

The opportunity to tackle challenges of the workplace that can’t be taught in a lecture theatre has placed me four years ahead of my peers, enabling me to apply for promotions earlier and work my way upwards in the industry.

How would you sum up your GA experience so far?

My Graduate Apprenticeship has exceeded my expectations. Despite facing challenges in grasping technicalities of my role and establishing myself in a new industry, I have been overwhelmed with the amount of support and encouragement I have received from my team members at McLauglin & Harvey.

I have thrived in a more structured and controlled routine, finding myself building healthier habits and feeling motivated in a position that rewards my hard efforts and recognises my achievements. I look forward to work and the challenges ahead that will shape me into a better employee.

I do believe that such a positive experience has depended on a formula of both a commendable employer and a supportive university. Such a position has provided a dependable foundation for a successful career. I would absolutely encourage others to take advantage of this opportunity, particularly if they find their style of learning to flourish in a more pro-active, structured environment.

Let's hear from Mollie's employer - McLaughlin & Harvey

McLaughlin & Harvey Construction is part of a wider group with an annual turnover of approximately £800m to £900m. The group undertakes all construction and civil engineering works (excluding residential projects). The company has been a long-standing advocate of Graduate Apprenticeships for many years, seeing the benefits of the combination of academic and work-based learning.

In relation to Mollie's progress, Stephen Barrie (Senior Quantity Surveyor) recognises her development in terms of communications skills, role-specific skills and construction knowledge. On Mollie's future Stephen added "Mollie has a very bright future. Within two years she will be given more responsibility and will assist with the final phase of Wester Hailes as a graduate quantity surveyor."

Over the years, Heriot-Watt and McLaughlin & Harvey have forged a strong relationship. Heather Liddell (HR Administrator) said "From my experience I like dealing with Heriot watt as they are very helpful and organised, and they provide me with a lot of guidance when it comes to placing our trainees. In my opinion the University is very good, and I would be proud to have them on my CV as my educational provider."

Looking ahead to more collaboration in the future, Neil Jamieson, Commercial Director, said "The company has consistently recruited through part-time degrees, and currently retains a number of successful graduates that have progressed to senior positions. Given this history of success, there is no doubt that McLaughlin & Harvey will continue to take on further apprentices using this approach, which has been successful for both the business and our employees."

Inspired by Mollie's story?

Has Mollie's story inspired you to find out more about Graduate Apprenticeships? Explore our Construction and the Built Environment programme.

Alternatively, contact the Graduate Apprenticeships team on ga@hw.ac.uk.