What If the Most Valuable Thing You Could Build Isn’t a Structure - but a Future?

Nikki Carthy, Degree Apprenticeship Development Curriculum Manager at Leeds College of Building, shares her journey from the construction industry into Further Education (FE) teaching, a move that has been meaningful for her and valuable for the sector.

After 18 years in the construction sector, I decided to move into FE teaching – and it’s been the most rewarding move of my career.

My journey into construction wasn’t planned. I started in payroll, but after a performance review, I was encouraged by my manager to shadow a Quantity Surveyors on site. At the time, I didn’t even know what a Quantity Surveyor did. Curiosity led me to shadow colleagues on site, and that experience changed everything for me. Seeing the work first-hand opened my eyes to an industry with real variety and opportunity. 

Over the next 16 years, I worked as a Quantity Surveyor across a range of projects, from commercial builds to residential developments. I managed budgets, negotiated contracts, and worked closely with site teams to keep projects on track. It was fast-paced and demanding, but I loved the sense of achievement when a job came together. I was fortunate to have brilliant mentors who supported me through my qualifications and progression. As a woman in construction, I always felt respected and encouraged - a reflection of how the industry has evolved and continues to make progress on inclusivity. 

Fast forward nearly two decades, I wanted to do something different with the skills I’d gained in my construction career. That’s when I discovered Further Education (FE) teaching. In FE, I have taught courses in Construction Management, Quantity Surveying and Building Services Engineering. Now, I specialise as a Degree Apprenticeship Curriculum Manager, ensuring the apprenticeships we offer align with construction industry standards and support learners in gaining practical, real-world skills.

I still remember my first day in the college – nervous, wondering if I’d made the right choice and by the end of my first day, I knew I had. Watching learners’ faces light up when something clicks is a feeling you can’t replicate on site. Drawing on real industry experiences, like explaining how I managed budgets or solved unexpected challenges on live construction projects, allows me to bring the theory to life. It makes lessons more relevant, practical and engaging for my learners. 

What surprised me most? You don’t always need prior teaching qualifications to start teaching in FE. You can train on the job - often with funded support - and even teach part-time alongside your current role. Teaching in FE can be flexible, which has given me the freedom to work at the college alongside completing a master's degree in Construction Law and being a mum of two!

The most rewarding part? Watching learners succeed. When former learners get in touch to say they’d landed their dream job, I realise the ripple effect of teaching. At Leeds College of Building, we’re seeing more women enter the sector every year - and many go on to win awards and return as mentors or managers. That’s the power of sharing your knowledge where it matters most.

Right now, the construction sector faces a shortage of FE teachers. Your real-world experience is invaluable - it can help bring lessons to life and give learners the confidence to tackle real-world challenges and prepare for their careers in the construction industry. By teaching in FE, you’re not just helping learners - you’re strengthening the future of the industry and ensuring a skilled workforce for tomorrow.

Help change lives without changing your career. Visit the Teach in FE website to find out more.