A year ago, Kate Curley was on site at our Johnstone Castle development in Renfrewshire, working as a labourer, getting a feel for the industry, and quietly figuring out what she wanted her future in construction to look like.
Fast forward twelve months, and Kate has just been named, first year Apprentice of the Year at Kelvin College for Joinery.
It’s a great achievement but for anyone who has watched Kate work, it’s not a surprise.
Taking the Leap
When Kate decided to pursue a joinery apprenticeship with McTaggart Construction, she knew it was the right call. Rather than waiting for the perfect moment, she threw herself into it, enrolling at Springburn College, a founding campus of Glasgow Kelvin College, on an accelerated programme that compresses four years of training into two.
Learning the Trade
Since starting her apprenticeship, Kate has been supported by her mentor Alex Nicol, who has made sure she’s not just learning, she’s doing! No two days have been the same, and that variety is something Kate has thrived on.
What stands out most about Kate isn’t just her technical progress ,it’s her attitude. She’s already giving back, helping fellow students at college whenever she can. For someone in their first year, that says a great deal.
Alex Nicol, Customer Care Manager at McTaggart Construction, commented: “Kate has been a pleasure to work with from day one. She picks things up quickly, she’s not afraid to ask questions, and she takes real pride in the quality of her work. What impresses me most is her attitude, she gets stuck in, she’s reliable, and she genuinely wants to learn. It’s been great to watch her grow in confidence over the past year, and this award is thoroughly deserved”
Apprentice of the Year
Being named Apprentice of the Year at Kelvin College is a fantastic achievement, and one that reflects everything Kate has put in over the past twelve months. The award recognises not only skill, but commitment and character.
Kate Curley, commented: I’m absolutely delighted to have won this award, it means a lot. When I started at McTaggart Construction, I just wanted to prove myself and make the most of the opportunity, so to be recognised like this after a year is really special. The support I’ve had from the team, and from Alex in particular, has made such a difference. I love what I do, and I can’t wait to see where this takes me.”
Investing in the next Generation
Kate’s story is a great example of what’s possible when the right support is in place, and investing in apprentices is something McTaggart Construction takes seriously.
As a proud holder of the 5% Club Gold accreditation and Employer of the Year award, we’re committed to ensuring that a significant proportion of our workforce is in earn-and-learn positions at any one time. Apprenticeships sit at the heart of that commitment. We believe in giving young people, and career changers, a genuine route into the construction industry, with real work, real mentorship, and real progression.
It matters to us not just as a business, but as a company that has been part of Scottish communities for 80 years. The people we bring on as apprentices today are the skilled tradespeople, site managers, and future leaders of tomorrow. Getting that investment right is one of the most important things we can do.
Kate is a perfect example of why.
What Comes Next
Kate’s long-term goal is to run her own joinery company, with an all-female team. It’s the kind of ambition that makes you smile, and the kind of ambition we want to see our apprentices carry with them throughout their careers.
One year in and Kate has already proven what she’s capable of. We can’t wait to see what comes next!
