A high achiever at Ayrshire Roads Alliance is using the experience of her own successful career path through apprenticeships to inspire the next generation of female engineers. 

Kirsty Smith has achieved an array of qualifications since joining ARA as an apprentice Civil Engineering Technician 10 years ago – and is passionate about encouraging others to do the same. 

She progressed from a modern apprenticeship on to a graduate apprenticeship, earning a first-class honours degree.

She is now the first female Design Team Lead appointed at ARA, responsible for managing the council’s bridge stock. 

Alongside her professional success, Kirsty currently mentors three apprentices within the Design Team – two graduate apprentices and a modern apprentice. 

Last year, she helped five colleagues successfully join the graduate apprenticeship programme at the University of the West of Scotland, supporting them through the application process and liaising with UWS. 

She said: “It means so much to know that I could be inspiring the next generation of women to pursue careers in civil engineering because I didn’t have that when I was at school – that’s why I’m really passionate about it. 

“It’s so rewarding to support other apprentices on their journey and see them succeed. 

“Doing a Graduate Apprenticeship, or a Modern Apprenticeship, is a no brainer - you’re doing the work anyway, so it’s worth putting a bit more effort in and getting a qualification as well.” 

Kirsty, 27, has taken part in a wide variety of initiatives and activities on top of her own work and academic studies, sharing her learning journey through UWS virtual events, and promoting apprenticeships to staff and employers. 

She featured as a UWS ‘Inspiring Student’ and supports outreach activities – visiting local schools to promote the sector as a positive career choice for young people. 

Kirsty’s commitment to championing apprenticeships has led to her being a finalist in the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.

ARA Head of Roads Kevin Braidwood said: “Kirsty is a model employee, very proactive about promoting apprenticeships and careers in civil engineering. 

“Bringing apprentices into the business is an excellent way of training staff to meet our business needs, and we move them around different teams in the business to build up their skills and experience so that they can tackle a range of jobs.”