Colin McKenzie’s Journey from Lauder College to Major Construction Projects
Colin McKenzie’s journey in construction began over 40 years ago, but his passion for the trade has never wavered. From his early days as a bricklaying apprentice at Lauder College, now Fife College, to managing major international projects and eventually returning to inspire the next generation.
It all started in 1977 after a conversation with a careers officer at Dunfermline High School.
““I’d just finished at Dunfermline High and had a chat with the careers officer,” Colin says. “That’s what led me to a Scotvec Bricklaying Apprenticeship through CITB at Lauder College. I loved being outdoors, so it was a perfect fit.”
Colin trained at the Halbeath Campus in Dunfermline and looks back on his college days with great fondness.
“I met people from all walks of life, and I still keep in touch with a few of them more than 40 years later. One of our lecturers, Tom Ireland, was a real mentor to us, like a father figure.”
After completing his apprenticeship in 1981, Colin’s skills opened the door to a life of travel and exploration. What started as a summer holiday in Greece turned into months of working and travelling across Europe, followed by time in North Africa, the Middle East, and Asia. He took every opportunity to immerse himself in different cultures while picking up work along the way.
“We just kept going, working in different countries, learning from every job. It gave me a global perspective on the industry and life in general.”
Back in the UK, Colin brought that experience to some of the biggest construction projects of their time, including Canary Wharf and the redevelopment of Angel Tube Station in London.
He returned to college in 1995 to study an HNC in Construction Management, a move that helped him transition into management roles on sites across the UK. Then, in 2006, he emigrated to Australia where he continued to lead projects, including working on the Soul Building on the Gold Coast and several major developments in Brisbane.
Now back in Scotland, Colin has come full circle. He works at Fife College as a Vocational Learning and Assessment Officer within the Construction team, helping shape the future workforce.
“I’ve had some amazing opportunities thanks to this trade. Now, I want to pass that on. If I can help today’s bricklaying apprentices by sharing what I’ve learned, I will. We all had someone who guided us and now it’s our turn.”
When asked what advice Colin would give to those starting their own journey at Fife College, Colin said: “Work hard. Keep learning. Keep improving. The world’s your oyster — get out there and enjoy it.”
From a young apprentice to a highly experienced construction manager, Colin’s career is a brilliant example of where hands-on training, hard work, and lifelong learning can lead. He has shown that when you build strong foundations, you really can go anywhere.