Karen Morton, one of three new trainee quantity surveyors within City Building, joined the construction firm as an apprentice joiner in 1999.
Karen, 38, is based in East Kilbride where she lives with her two young sons. After learning about City Building from her careers office at school, Karen joined the firm as a school leaver. After completing a HNC in 2010, she went on to work in City Building’s Education Maintenance department as an operations manager, before filling the role of acting quantity surveyor. Karen then seized the opportunity for a sponsored place at Glasgow Caledonian University, to train to become a qualified quantity surveyor.
Karen said: “I had never previously considered becoming a quantity surveyor, until City Building advertised the traineeships. The chance to earn a degree, while having the security of a job, was too good of an opportunity to miss.
“The course was four years long, and I did find It to be quite challenging due to the balance of working full time, studying part time and looking after my family too. The move to working online also took a while to get used to, but I was pleased to be studying alongside Mark and Chris – we all supported each other.
“There are so many options within City Building – I have gone from working with tools to being an operations manager to now completing my degree. I’m pleased to have spent my career with a company which values progression so highly, and which encourages us to push ourselves to do our best.
“My apprenticeship back in 1999 allowed me to learn from so many skilled workers, and it was great for my confidence too. I would encourage anyone to consider an apprenticeship, as it can lead to a variety of different career paths.
“After a long time studying, I’m so looking forward to starting my new role with City Building, and to see what the future holds.”
