{"id":279,"date":"2025-10-30T09:25:23","date_gmt":"2025-10-30T09:25:23","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.qualifications.gov.scot\/HN100\/?p=279"},"modified":"2025-10-30T14:15:39","modified_gmt":"2025-10-30T14:15:39","slug":"olivia-usher-building-a-future-her-way","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.qualifications.gov.scot\/HN100\/2025\/10\/30\/olivia-usher-building-a-future-her-way\/","title":{"rendered":"Olivia Usher: Building a Future, Her Way"},"content":{"rendered":"

For Olivia, the Higher National Certificate (HNC) wasn’t the initial plan, but it became the ideal route to success. After taking a year off school, she found herself working as an administrator for a construction company. It was here, being constantly “surrounded by conversations about different stages of construction,” that she got a view of the industry’s inner workings. She saw the <\/span>quantity surveying<\/span><\/b> role and was immediately interested in its varied and important nature.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While she admitted to being nervous about returning to college, especially joining a new, male-dominated field, the supportive environment and practical subject matter quickly boosted her confidence.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

The <\/span>HNC’s part-time structure<\/span><\/b> proved to be the game-changer, perfectly embodying the campaign message of <\/span>“Your journey, your way.”<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I really do think it was the best of both worlds,” Olivia explains. “Being able to <\/span>earn while I learned<\/span><\/b> made a big difference”.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As someone completely new to construction, the college classroom provided the essential theory that suddenly allowed her to follow discussions in the office and on-site, giving her the confidence to contribute her own ideas.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hands-on Learning, Real-World Skills<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Olivia’s HNC experience demonstrates how Higher Nationals equip students with the <\/span>practical expertise employers demand.<\/span><\/b> The synergy between college and her on-site apprenticeship at a civils company was immediate and powerful.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“The two went hand in hand,” she notes. “What I was learning in college, like different types of foundations and construction details, <\/span>came to life when I went out on site<\/span><\/b>“.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

One of the most valuable skills she acquired was <\/span>measurement and estimating<\/span><\/b>, learning to read drawings and carry out ‘take-offs’ in college and then applying that knowledge in the office straight away. This practical, professional grounding allowed her to immediately assist with real project work.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Passport to both the Workplace and University<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Olivia\u2019s story is a prime example of the HNC acting as a passport to further education. The HNC provided the perfect stepping stone, giving her the qualifications and the experience needed to apply to university.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“Without my HNC, I wouldn\u2019t have been able to progress to university and continue building on my education,” she affirms.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

She is now in the final year of university, working towards an <\/span>Honours degree in Quantity Surveying<\/span><\/b>. Alongside her studies, she’s taking on more responsibility at work and getting involved in larger projects.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

A Century of Success Stories in the Modern Industry<\/span><\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/h2>\n

Olivia is proud to be building a career in quantity surveying, showing how <\/span>Higher Nationals have shaped a century of success stories<\/span><\/b> and continue to adapt to <\/span>today’s industry needs<\/span><\/b>.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

While initially daunting, she has learned to “trust my abilities” and focus on her contribution. Her achievements and progression are milestones that give her immense confidence.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

“I\u2019m proud to be building a career in quantity surveying and hopefully showing others that there\u2019s a place for women in construction too,” she says. Her HNC gave her the confidence to progress to where she is now, proving that the qualification is a robust foundation for anyone looking to build a successful and fulfilling career.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

For Olivia, the HNC wasn’t the initial plan, but it became the ideal route to success. After taking a year off school, she found herself working as an administrator for a construction company. It was here that she got a view of the industry’s inner workings. She saw the quantity surveying role and was immediately interested in its varied and important nature.\u00a0<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":92,"featured_media":288,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[25],"tags":[26,27],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nOlivia Usher: Building a Future, Her Way - SQA<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"For Olivia, the HNC wasn't the initial plan, but it became the ideal route to success. After taking a year off school, she found herself working as an administrator for a construction company. It was here that she got a view of the industry's inner workings. 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