Grant Robson, a senior site engineer for Graham Construction, has been shortlisted for the 2015 Duke of Gloucester’s Young Achievers Scheme.

The scheme is an opportunity for exceptional young professionals in the construction industry and celebrates tremendous achievements of rising stars within the sector.

Grant is one of eight finalists in the Construction Delivery category who will go in front of a prestigious judging panel, including Andrew Link from the Construction Industry Council and Gareth Stapleton, director of Rise, a construction project management business. The judges have selected the finalists from among young people who have not only achieved excellence in their careers so far, but who have had to overcome barriers and challenges to get there.

Grant’s colleagues at Graham Construction are thrilled that he has been recognised as a finalist. He has worked his way up through the ranks at Graham and taken advantage of their scholarship programmes after being awarded a scholarship to study Construction Management and Engineering at university. Grant achieved a 2:1 honours degree, despite dealing with dyslexia and dysgraphia. He now looks to inspire other young people living with these difficulties.

“The career challenges posed by dyslexic and dysgraphia have given me strength and determination to succeed in the construction industry” said Grant. “Graham Construction have been great and I intend to repay the trust of everyone who’s helped me with scholarships through hard work and commitment.”

Grant was given work placements with Graham Construction when he was at school as well as throughout his university course so that he could gain practical experience and put the theory from the classroom into practice on a construction site. The Career Focus programme at Graham helps students to see the real world of construction while learning.

Grant said: “My Graham Construction scholarship gave me an excellent foundation in my chosen career, I am an ordinary young person from a working class family but I feel I’ve been given a life changing opportunity at a very young age.”

Since graduating, Grant has worked on the Aberdeen Aquatic Centre and handed over the completed project in time for the 2014 Commonwealth Water Polo competition. This is his proudest moment to date, and led to him being offered the opportunity to be temporary site manager on a mini project at Seaton Towers Aberdeen.

Aside from the construction aspect of his work, Grant has gone the extra mile with local communities. He donated a Christmas tree and lights to Woodlands special needs school when he was working on the neighbouring aquatic centre in Aberdeen.

Neil McFarlane, regional director for Graham Construction, said: “From a shy school boy to a confident supervisor on large construction sites dealing with varying issues on a daily basis, Grant has been determined, focussed and has worked hard to achieve his career success. He richly deserves the nomination and status as a finalist.”

If successful Grant will receive a cash prize and a unique one year mentoring programme to enable him to make an even great impact in the years to come. The ceremony takes place on Thursday 19th March at the Underglobe in London.