Callum Donnelly
Callum joined Transport Scotland in October 2007 having successfully completed his first degree with an MA (Hons) in Geography and a MRes (Master of Research) in Civil Engineering. He is now studying for his MSc in Transport Planning and Engineering at Napier University as part of his training programme with Transport Scotland.
Since joining Transport Scotland, Callum has worked across the organisation including roles within development planning, development management, and transport policy. His current role is within rail planning and operations.
Callum says: "For a graduate Transport Scotland really offers something different. The knowledge and skills that can be gained from staff right across the organisation will be of tremendous benefit in terms of your own professional development. Couple this with the high quality and demanding graduate training scheme and there really is good no reason to start your professional career with Transport Scotland."
Judith MacDonald
Judith joined the graduate training scheme as a graduate transport planner, having graduated with an MA in Geography from the University of Glasgow in 2006. With Transport Scotland's support she has been studying part time and graduated with a MSc in Transport Planning and Engineering at Napier University in Spring 2011.
Judith has worked on both road and rail projects over the past four years. Transport Scotland manages some of the highest profile transport schemes in Scotland and our graduate rotation arrangements has enabled Judith to work on a wide range of different schemes including the Forth Replacement Crossing and the A96 Inshes to Nairn dualling scheme.
Judith MacDonald has recently completed Transport Scotland's graduate training under agreement and has taken up a post as a transport planner in our technical and analysis branch within the planning and design team.
Judith says: "Transport Scotland places a high value on professional qualifications for its staff. The graduate scheme is set up to provide graduates with the type of training that will lead to a professional qualification in engineering or transport planning. If you wish to pursue a professional qualification then Transport Scotland will support you in this aim."
William Tyler
Will graduated with an MA (Hons) in Geography in 2007 from the University of Glasgow and joined Transport Scotland later that year. Having spent four years in his programme of rotations, Will is due to complete his graduate training agreement - and his MSc in Transport Planning and Engineering at Edinburgh Napier University - in Autumn 2011.
Since joining Transport Scotland, Will has been involved in many aspects of transport policy, minor and major civil infrastructure projects. Will's programme has involved working in network management, strategy and investment, rail delivery and major trunk roads within the Agency. Examples of Will's work include the preparation of advisory reports on transport policy/projects, consultation with internal and external stakeholders and the organisation of various workshops and conferences.
Will is currently helping to manage and evaluate a variety of Intelligent Transport Systems (ITS) projects and also making meaningful contributions to policy, briefings and decision-making. Under Transport Scotland's graduate training scheme, Will aims to continue to develop his skills to the level of a Transport Planning Professional (TPP) which is recognised by the Chartered Institution of Highways and Transportation (CIHT).
Will says: "I was attracted to the transport sector at national level because of two main reasons. Firstly, it offers a truly multi-disciplinary working environment comprising, but not limited to, planners, engineers, economists, environmental scientists and policy professionals which allows me to really broaden my horizons. Secondly, transport policy is a complex issue with many interacting economic, environmental, social and political factors. This combination guarantees engaging, interesting, challenging and relevant work."
John Flynn
John qualified with a BEng in Civil Engineering from the University of Dundee in June 2008 and is currently ‘topping up' his academic training through part time study for a MSc in Construction Project Management at Edinburgh Napier University. He is supported through this by Transport Scotland as part of his graduate training programme.
His previous work experience in engineering was during a summer spent working for one of Transport Scotland's Operating Companies maintaining our trunk road network. John's first spell of graduate training was undertaken in network management followed by spells in rail delivery and major transport infrastructure projects. John has also spent time working on the recently completed M74 Completion major construction project, and is currently on external secondment to a design consultancy to gain experience in the processes involved in the design of Civil Engineering projects.
John says: "I think it is important to gain knowledge, experience and proficiency in many of the varying roles of a Civil Engineer in order to obtain the necessary skills required prior to going forward for professional review and becoming a Chartered Engineer. Transport Scotland aims to provide that level of training and I intend to make the most of the opportunity I have been afforded."
Olusola Owolabi
Since joining Transport Scotland in February 2009, Sola has worked in four of our directorates, the latest of which is trunk roads and bus operations. The experience he has gained have contributed both to the business objectives of Transport Scotland and also to Sola's career development in terms of project management, policy, standards and best practice all of which are helping him to develop as Civil Engineer.
He has been leading on the delivery of the ‘Speed Limit Review' for the Scottish trunk road network. In order to achieve consistency across the whole network, Sola has developed a flow chart of the processes that would deliver individual tasks in stages and ensure that route reviews are delivered on time. He has also initiated the second phase of consultation work to ensure wide ranging consultation takes place on the route review recommendations before the implementation stage.
Sola says: "Transport Scotland's graduate training scheme has provided me with the opportunities needed to make a success of my career and develop my objectives to the highest standard to deliver the success that these projects requires. My satisfaction comes from the success of the projects I work on, the positive performance reviews that I receive and the progress I'm making toward becoming a chartered professional Civil Engineer."
Rebecca Long
Rebecca graduated from Edinburgh Napier University with a BEng in Civil Engineering and Transportation and joined our graduate training programme in April 2009. She is following the Institution of Highways and Transportation route towards chartership.
Rebecca is undertaking part time study for a MSc in Construction Project Management at Edinburgh Napier University with the support of Transport Scotland in order to gain her academic ‘top up' to achieve chartership. Rebecca is currently working on site as part of the Forth Replacement Crossing team.
Rebecca says: "From my first day at Transport Scotland I became acutely aware that this is an establishment dedicated to the successful development of graduates. I have been warmly welcomed as part of the team and have been instilled with the belief that we, as graduates, have a vital part to play in the future of transport in Scotland."
Kunal Shah
Kunal came to the UK in September 2007 to study for his MSc in Construction Enterprise Management at Dundee University where he graduated in September 2008. He has gained experience in the projects branch within trunk roads and bus operations where he is involved in the review of the structural maintenance schemes of all the four operating units. Prior to this, he had rotations to major transport infrastructure projects, asset management, road safety and strategy & investment. After completion of his rotation, Kunal will move on to an external secondment to gain experience on design.
Kunal says: "Having now gained a couple of years experience in Transport Scotland I feel that I am working in a corporate environment which offers a breadth of opportunities for a graduate to develop their skills within a range of high profile projects. I have had various opportunities to work in different areas ranging from major projects to road safety to sustainability. For a Graduate, Transport Scotland offers a platform to become a more rounded and better engineer in future by offering opportunities in various areas within the organisation."
Clare Dunnington
Clare graduated from the University of Manchester with a MEng in Civil Engineering and North American Studies and joined Transport Scotland in September 2009 after some initial experience and training as a graduate with a consultancy firm in Manchester.
During her first year with Transport Scotland she broadened her experience of trunk road management though working with the bridges and structures team and the South network management team in trunk road networks. Her second year was mainly spent gaining experience in motorway construction on the M80 upgrade, and road and cycleway design in the standards branch of major transport infrastructure projects. Having successfully completed her training under agreement. Clare has now taken up a post as an Engineer within the bridges and structures team to continue to develop her experience with additional responsibility in the management and maintenance of structures.
Clare says: "I enjoy working for Transport Scotland because I know what a vital role we have in providing and maintaining the transport infrastructure which is critical to the economic well being of Scotland. It is also a great place to be a graduate as the structured training scheme enables you to gain valuable experience across a range of projects in different directorates. The additional financial and political issues to be considered alongside the engineering aspects, make the work even more interesting, challenging and stimulating."
Stephen Cummins
Stephen graduated with a BSc (Hons) in Civil Engineering from the University of Abertay in 2006 and gained valuable work experience with a civil engineering consultant in Ireland before joining Transport Scotland in 2009. He is currently in the final stage of a part time MSc in Civil Engineering and Construction Management at Heriot Watt University, which is supported by Transport Scotland.
Since joining Transport Scotland, Stephen has worked in trunk road network management and is currently in major transport infrastructure projects. Following the successful completion of his initial professional development, Stephen recently became a Chartered Engineer (CEng MIEI) with Engineers Ireland. He has now taken up a post as an Engineer within our construction team.
Stephen says: "Transport Scotland's training programme offers the opportunity to gain knowledge and experience in their multi-disciplinary sectors, which provides a wide range of experience toward continual professional development."
Gaurav Khanna
Gaurav joined Transport Scotland in January 2010 after completing his PhD in Civil Engineering from the University of Dundee. Gaurav has gained experience working in major transport infrastructure projects, trunk road network management and strategy and investment. He is currently on an external secondment with one of our Operating Companies to enable him to further develop his career.
Gaurav also holds an honorary academic position at the Concrete Technology Unit of the University of Dundee. Prior to coming to the UK in 2007, Gaurav completed his Mtech (Hons) degree in Construction Management from the Indian Institute of Technology Delhi in India.
Gaurav says: "Transport Scotland has offered me an excellent training programme and the opportunity to work in a multi disciplinary environment. As a result I am progressing well towards my goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer."
Gemma Montrose
Gemma has completed a placement in trunk road network management and has been able to gain valuable experience on site through both an external secondment with a contractor and involvement with major transport infrastructure projects on the M80 upgrade. In these areas she has been able to tailor these placements to fill gaps in her experience.
Gemma says: "The graduate programme on offer at Transport Scotland has given me a varied and exciting range of opportunities to develop in areas where I previously lacked the experience which is necessary to become a Chartered Engineer. I have been involved in both minor and major projects already and am excited as I move towards taking on more responsibility on challenging projects in the future!"
Mokshda Bheem Singh
Mokshda graduated with a BEng. in Civil Engineering and worked for a brief spell in a structural engineering consultancy in Mauritius before coming to the UK in 2008 She completed a MSc in Geotechnical Engineering at the University of Newcastle upon Tyne in 2009 and joined Transport Scotland in April 2010.
Her first placement in Transport Scotland was in the Forth Replacement Crossing team and has more recently gained valuable experience in the bridges and structures team within trunk roads and bus operations, where she is gaining valuable experience through her assistance with the management of Transport Scotland's database of trunk road structures. For more detailed information about Mokshda's experiences so far see the ‘Year in the life of a graduate' section of this website.
Mokshda says: "I enjoy the opportunity of working in different teams and gaining an understanding of the varied role of Transport Scotland, ranging from the delivery of high profile projects such the Forth Replacement Crossing to the comparatively routine but equally important maintenance of trunk roads bridges."
Back to main Graduates page
