CECA North East has appointed Kate Barclay as its new business support manager, with an initial focus on supporting the organisation's work to help address the civil engineering sector's skills gap.
Kate, from Jarrow, studied Business Administration at the University of Sunderland and joins CECA North East following a career in finance and property management. She brings extensive experience in business support, office management, project coordination and stakeholder engagement, with many of the skills directly transferable to her new role.
The Civil Engineering Contractors Association (CECA) is the representative body for companies that deliver, upgrade and maintain the UK’s essential infrastructure. In the North East, the organisation works with contractors, clients, education providers and industry partners to support members and help ensure the sector has the skilled workforce needed to deliver future infrastructure projects.
Reporting to director and secretary, Stuart Miller, Kate will provide business support, project management and coordination to help deliver CECA North East’s Annual Business Plan and strategic priorities across its five core pillars: Sustainability, Climate Change and Social Value; Careers and Recruitment; Skills and Training; Clients and Workload and Health, Safety and Wellbeing.
Initially, a significant part of Kate’s focus will be supporting the industry’s response to the skills gap. Working closely with CECA North East’s Foundations Group, member companies, schools, colleges, universities and training providers, she will help develop region-wide initiatives that encourage more young people to enter the profession. This will include promoting apprenticeship, graduate and work experience opportunities, supporting skills bootcamps and educational outreach activities and raising awareness of the diverse career opportunities available within civil engineering.
Kate will take over delivery of the CECA College Bursary Scheme, working with local colleges to promote the industry and encourage new entrants. Alongside the CECA Foundations Group, she will also support delivery of the new groundworker Olympics for the 2026/27 academic year, as well as CECA North East’s work with members and other stakeholders to develop a new initiative aimed at increasing the supply of trained groundworkers into the industry.
Kate Barclay, said: “This is an exciting time to join CECA North East, which is doing some really important work to support the civil engineering sector and its members.
“One of the things that attracted me to the role was the opportunity to work with schools, colleges, training providers and industry to help inspire the next generation. By encouraging more young people to explore the wide range of careers available in civil engineering, we can help address the industry’s skills gap while creating opportunities that could shape their futures.”
Kate will also design and deliver social media campaigns and marketing activity to encourage new entrants into the civil engineering sector, while supporting the planning, administration and promotion of online and face-to-face events, training courses and member engagement initiatives covering legal and commercial matters, health and safety, sustainability and social value. In addition, she will work closely with client organisations, CECA members, associate members, sponsors and education partners to strengthen collaboration across the sector.
Stuart Miller, said: “Kate’s appointment reflects our commitment to supporting members and ensuring CECA North East continues to deliver real value across the region. As our programme of activity continues to grow, this role will strengthen our ability to develop new initiatives, support existing programmes and respond to some of the key opportunities and challenges facing the civil engineering sector.
“Kate brings valuable experience in business support, project coordination and stakeholder engagement, which will enhance the work we do on behalf of our members.”