Sam Hall, a civil engineering apprentice at Murphy, shares the hands-on experience and life lessons he’s gained from working in Caithness

I’m originally from Beadnell, a small village on the Northumberland coast, so moving somewhere rural wasn’t completely new to me. After finishing sixth form, I took a year out before starting university. I spent two months in Australia visiting my sister, then came home, worked for a while and saved some more money before heading to Japan to ski with my dad. We toured different ski resorts around the country, which was unreal.

Travelling definitely broadened my mind. When you grow up in a small village, everyone has a similar outlook because that’s all you’ve really known. Spending time in different countries makes you realise there’s a much bigger world out there.

Beginning a career in engineering

I’d always been interested in engineering. I studied it at GCSE and knew it was the direction I wanted to go, but I wasn’t completely sure what area. I started an engineering degree at university, but I quickly realised full-time study just wasn’t for me. I preferred being busy and learning by doing, and I already felt that an apprenticeship would teach me more in the long run.

That’s when someone from my village who worked for Murphy suggested I apply for a civil engineering apprenticeship in Scotland. He explained that the practical experience could put me miles ahead of graduate engineers coming straight from university because – although they’d have more technical knowledge – I’d already have real site experience. It sounded like the right opportunity, so I went for it.

Moving away from home was exciting, but also pretty daunting. I’d never really lived independently before, so suddenly I had to cook my own meals instead of relying on my mum! I was definitely nervous at first, but after about a month I realised it was 100% the right thing to do.

Windswept but beautiful

I moved to Scotland in September before relocating to Caithness in January. Arriving in the middle of winter was certainly an experience. Three hours of daylight, sideways rain and constant wind isn’t for everyone! I don’t think I’ve had a day on site when it hasn’t been windy. If I had one complaint about living up here, it would definitely be the weather.

What surprised me most was how familiar some things felt. Back home, everyone knows everyone, and you see the same thing here. The communities are similar in that way, although the landscape is completely different. Driving north through the hills before reaching the coast is beautiful, and although it’s very different from home, it’s something I’ve really noticed since moving here.

Civil engineering opens up many different pathways

The apprenticeship itself has been brilliant. I think I’ve settled in well, and I’m learning a huge amount. My line manager also came through an apprenticeship, so he understands exactly how apprentices learn and has been great at sharing his experience.

At the moment my work is a mixture of surveying with GPS equipment, office work and preparing for construction to begin. Once the project moves into the next phase, we’ll be building roads and carrying out the enabling works, which I’m really looking forward to.

One of the things I like most about civil engineering is how many different directions it can take you. It’s such a broad discipline, covering everything from roads to foundations, and completing this apprenticeship doesn’t mean I’m tied to one role forever. There are lots of different career paths I could follow in the future, including progressing into project management.

I’ve also developed skills that I probably wouldn’t have gained at university. Earlier this year I ended up speaking on stage at Murphy’s 75th anniversary event in Inverness, answering questions in front of an audience. It definitely wasn’t something I wanted to do, but experiences like that help build your confidence. Being involved in meetings, speaking in front of people and taking on responsibility are all things I’ve learned through work.

Home from home

Outside work, I’ve made some really good friends through the project. There are other apprentices and graduates around my age, and the local people have looked out for us as we’ve settled in, which has made moving away from home much easier.

I’ll be here for the rest of my apprenticeship before deciding where my career takes me next. I’d still love to work in Australia one day – mainly because the weather is a bit better – but spending these years in Caithness has given me exactly the kind of practical experience I was looking for. For me, choosing an apprenticeship over full-time university has definitely been the right decision.

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