A teenage bricklayer is making history and blazing a trail for women in the South of Scotland as apprentices are celebrated across the country.
Dumfries and Galloway College is marking Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2025 by showcasing the valuable opportunities apprenticeships offer to individuals and businesses across the region.
One standout example is 18-year-old Kylie Watson from Dumfries, who is the college’s first female apprentice bricklayer. Working with Parc Construction three days a week and attending the College two days a week, Kylie is gaining valuable hands-on experience while learning key skills such as cavity wall construction and working on extensions. Her apprenticeship has enabled her to be involved in projects across the region, including in Gatehouse of Fleet.
“I really enjoy it,” she said. “I enjoy the range of projects I get to work on, and I like working outside. I know that more girls and women are considering this as a career; I don’t see why women can’t become a tradesperson.”
Apprenticeships provide dynamic pathways for individuals to embark on new careers, gaining hands-on experience while earning and learning. For businesses, they offer the chance to tailor their workforce to meet specific needs, fostering growth and innovation.
Kieran Downey, a Sustainable Construction Lecturer at the College, highlighted the increasing popularity of apprenticeships in the industry, and noted that digital innovation, with apps and video assessment, is transforming the way apprentices train.
He said: “We’ve developed an app where students can manage their own work, and we also use iPads to record video feedback. It’s a far more interactive way of learning.
“We can really see a trend happening – people see videos of bricklaying online and realise the trade is quite fascinating. We have more young people interested than ever before, and we need them.
“With the huge shortage of skilled bricklayers, now is the perfect time to train and start a rewarding career in construction.”
The demand for bricklayers continues to rise as the housing sector expands, and Downey stressed the importance of attracting new talent. Social media platforms like TikTok are even playing a role in boosting interest in bricklaying, with engaging videos sparking curiosity among young people.
For Gabby Cherry, Director of Parc Construction, apprenticeships are playing a crucial role in strengthening the future of the construction industry. Since founding the company just two years ago, Parc Construction has grown to 19 employees, with six of them being apprentices across the trades.
“Apprenticeships are vital for our business to keep us going,” she said. “We’re training our potential future workforce and, with the shortage in the construction industry, we need to focus on how to maintain and grow our skilled workforce.”
Cherry also highlighted how apprenticeships help businesses develop talent, build loyalty, and strengthen their brand. She is particularly proud of Kylie’s ability to be a trailblazer, having quickly integrated into an otherwise-male team.
“She’s fitted right in,” said Cherry, “which has been great to see. The guys she’s working with are all super impressed with her, and they respect what she can do. We’re very proud to have her on board leading the way for females in the trade.
“In today’s day and age, we definitely need to see more women in construction. I have three daughters of my own and what career path they choose is up to them, but the option should always be there for them.”
Apprenticeships provide a vital link between education and employment, offering young people the chance to gain real-world skills while contributing to Scotland’s growing workforce. With employers increasingly seeking skilled tradespeople, apprenticeships in construction and beyond are key to meeting future industry demands.