We caught up with one of our amazing apprentices, Kirsten Black, this Scottish Careers Week to hear all about her journey so far at KR Group.

From balancing her role as a Business and Marketing Apprentice with being a championship-winning snare drummer, to discovering her passion for the construction and engineering industry, Kirsten shares insights into what she’s learned, what’s surprised her most, and her ambitions for the future.

Can you tell us a bit about yourself and your role at KR Group?

My name is Kirsten Black, and I’m the Business and Marketing Apprentice at KR Group. Outside of work, I’m a snare drummer with TEXO Deeside Caledonia Pipe Band. I’ve been playing in a pipe band since I was six years old, and as a band we currently hold the Scottish, UK and European Champion titles for Grade 3A. One of our highlights this year was leading the Aberdeen FC Scottish Cup Parade – an amazing experience! During lockdown, I started my own baking business — something I really enjoyed. It taught me a lot of transferable skills, from organisation and creativity to customer communication, all of which I’ve carried into my role at KR Group.

What made you choose an apprenticeship in the construction and engineering industry?

I chose an apprenticeship in construction and engineering because it was an industry I didn’t know much about, and I wanted to challenge myself and learn something new. I was also keen to go straight into full-time work rather than university, and an apprenticeship felt like the perfect opportunity to earn, learn and gain real experience at the same time.

What does a typical day look like for you?

No two days are ever the same, which is one of the things I enjoy most about my role. I get to support lots of different parts of the business – from arranging training courses to creating content for social media. The variety keeps me busy and makes every day interesting.

What’s something that surprised you about working in the industry?

I was really surprised by how many different roles exist within construction. It’s not just about working on site, or in the workshop – there’s such a wide range of opportunities across areas like project management, health and safety, finance, HR, and marketing. It’s an industry with something for everyone. From the outside, construction can look like it’s all about the physical work on site, but behind the scenes there’s so much teamwork, planning and communication that make it all happen.

What’s been your favourite project or moment so far?

My favourite project has been helping to develop our new KR SkillsHub training room. It’s been so rewarding to see it transform from an empty space into a fully equipped classroom. There are still a few finishing touches to add, but I’ve really enjoyed being part of the process and can’t wait to create content to showcase the final result.

What have you learned since joining KR Group?

Since joining KR Group, I’ve gained a deeper understanding of strategic content creation – how to develop posts that align with brand goals and engage the right audiences across different platforms. I’ve also learned a lot about teamwork, communication, and how every department plays a role in delivering successful projects.

What do you think are the most important qualities for someone joining the construction industry?

Good communication is essential – whether you’re speaking with clients, colleagues or contractors, it’s key to keeping everything running smoothly. The industry is fast-paced, so having a strong work ethic and a willingness to learn are also really important qualities.

Where do you see your career going after your apprenticeship?

After completing my apprenticeship, I’d like to develop my career further within the HR and marketing side of the construction industry. I’ve really enjoyed learning how much people and communication contribute to keeping projects running smoothly, and I’d love to build on that.

If you could go back and tell your school self one thing, what would it be?

I’d tell myself that hard work pays off, and it’s okay not to take the traditional route of going to university. There are so many other paths you can take that can lead to a successful and fulfilling career – like apprenticeships, which offer incredible opportunities to learn and grow while gaining hands-on experience.

Visit our CAREERS page to see current vacancies, or the APPRENTICESHIPS AND TRAINEESHIPS page to find out more about learning opportunities at KR Group.