When Heather Watton was given the opportunity to upskill to become a quantity surveyor by her employer CLoSE UK Ltd, she explored all her options to help her get the qualifications to develop her career in professional construction. The extended diploma in construction and the built environment at Chesterfield College offered everything she needed to get back into learning and develop her skills.
To become fully qualified, Heather knew she would eventually need a university degree. Due to ill-health, she was unable to finish her A Levels when she was at school and she wasn’t sure about the best route to take to reach her end goal. Her first stop was to speak to a careers advisor at Chesterfield College. With her industry experience and her age she could have applied for a university course but she decided she wanted to develop her knowledge and learning skills doing a professional construction course at college first.
We asked her to tell us more about her experience:
Why did you choose this course?
“This course is a great stepping stone for me. I like to know how the nuts and bolts of anything work first so I can understand more. I was keen to do this course to give me the equivalent of an A level and a greater depth of knowledge before I moved on to university study. I think I would have been out of my depth going straight to university.
One of the female lecturers on the course was also available to chat to when I was choosing my options. She had completed the course I am on now so it was good to hear about her first-hand experience as a woman in a male dominated industry. I think she has opened up a lot doors for other women on the construction course at college – she really gives girls and women the confidence that they are welcome.”
How has the course been so far?
“The course has already been really beneficial and it has given me a greater understanding of industry terms and concepts. It has given me a good grounding. Without it I would struggle to get to grips with the knowledge, terminology and working practices needed to build my career.
What I love about the course I am on is that it is broken down into clear sections, which is great for me. I find that a beneficial way to study. The access to learning resources is phenomenal. The study tools and support you get are brilliant. The experience has been very positive.
It has also made me test myself and realise my brain does still work! Coming back to college as an adult I am really invested in what I am doing. It has made me realise that no matter what age you are you can still learn new skills.
Being part of the college instead of choosing a remote learning option was really important to me. Tutors have been great at making lessons work for everyone in the group regardless of age, knowledge and experience – even when we had to learn virtually during lockdown.”
What’s surprised you most about the course?
“We get some fantastic resources provided but you are also expected to be independent. There is lots of support to check the way you are working though. As someone with a lot of self-doubt, college has helped me to realise I know more than I think I do and that I am doing well. With help from college and my employer I am much more confident. I am not afraid to put my hand up and ask questions to further my knowledge. I am really enjoying it.
Everyone in the class supports each other too. Everyone fits in college it doesn’t matter what you look like or who you are. We all learn from each other and come from different backgrounds too which is really interesting.”
How does work and studying at college complement each other?
“The role I am doing at the moment is more administrative but it is testing my skills and giving me vital industry experience. The course has already helped me be better at my job and I will eventually be able to move on to more quantity surveying tasks. The team in the office are great and share what they are doing with me to help me learn the technical aspects of the role. We have recently been out to site on a refurbishment programme at Ashgate Hospice. CLoSE UK did the quantity surveying on an extension they have just built as a gift to the charity. It was nice to sit down with the Quantity Surveyor and then see how service users were benefiting.
I would say it is critical for me to have both industry experience and theoretical knowledge. Without both aspects I wouldn’t get to where I wanted to be in my career. For me, I have to understand how it all fits together and studying part time as well as working in the sector allows me to do that. I have to get as much experience as I can now so that when I am qualified I can get my career off the ground quickly.”
What support have you had?
“As a disabled student, college has supported me with the physical aspects of accessing college, like ensuring I have a parking space close to where my lessons take place and ensuring I can take part in the practical sessions. It all happens in the background – I don’t have to constantly remind them of my needs. I try not to let my disability define me in anyway and college have made that more possible than I thought it would be.
I have had support to manage deadlines around any fatigue and health issues too.”
What opportunities will the new Centre of Excellence offer you?
“The augmented and virtual reality that the new Centre of Excellence includes are going to be phenomenal for me. I am over the moon that I will be able to access a construction site without having to be physically on site. It overcomes so many of the constraints of being on a construction site for me.
Being able to look down into foundations on a site and understand the construction process as I learn about the industry will be a huge benefit. The role I will be in eventually will be more desk based but for now I need to get experience on site. Using the technology that will be available at the Centre of Excellence will mean I can do that safely. I am very, very excited about it!”
What’s next?
“I am planning to stay on to study the HNC before going to university.
It might take me a few more years to get to where I want to be in my career, but work are supporting me to get to whatever level I want to get to, which feels great.”
What would be your advice to other adults considering returning to college?
“Grab any opportunity you have with both hands and run with it. If it is something you are interested in, do it. Don’t let age or what you think your capabilities are stop you because you are probably far more capable than you realise. It isn’t until you test yourself until you realise what you can do.”