Breaking down walls in the world of bricklaying
BBCKylie Watson is something of a pioneer in the construction industry in the south of Scotland.
At just 18, she is the first female bricklaying apprentice to come out of Dumfries and Galloway College.
Her employers - Parc Construction - and her lecturers hope she can encourage others to follow in her footsteps.
In an industry with a skills shortage, their message to any other young women considering it as a career is pretty clear - just go for it.
Kylie started out on a wider course at the Dumfries campus before focusing on one particular sector.
"I kind of fancied getting into the construction industry so I decided to go on the multiskills course first to see if I definitely wanted to do bricklaying or not," she explained.
"So I got a taste of everything, decided I wanted to stick with bricklaying and here we are."
Now that she is cutting her teeth in the industry, she said she has quickly settled in to life on a building site.
"I'm really enjoying it," she said.
"I was a bit nervous it was going to be a bit awkward but you soon get over that awkwardness because it's just full of banter."
Her advice to others is straightforward.
"Just get out there and do it," she said.
"There is no point being nervous about it if it's something you want to do then go for it."
And it gives her a great feeling of achievement.
"I like the clean finish of the wall - there's nothing better than a nice finished wall," she said.
Bricklaying lecturer at the college Kieran Downey said Kylie's new role could only be a good thing in breaking down barriers.
"Female students coming in here and wanting to try out - that's not unusual," he said.
"What is unusual, and needed to change badly, was the opportunity for them to progress into employment as a bricklayer - something that they love doing and are being held back from because of the attitudes of companies out there."
He said he was not surprised Kylie got the opportunity of an apprenticeship which he says was the "right move" for her.
"She's absolutely brilliant," he said.
"She's one of the best students I've had personally, an absolute class bricklayer.
"I think she can build everything just as well as I can - maybe a little bit slower, perhaps, but she is only a beginner."
He said anyone thinking of following in her footsteps should not hesitate to give it a try.
"Don't listen to people round about you who say it's just a man's game - it's not," he said.
"It's something that you'll enjoy.
"It's a very, very satisfying trade and there's no doubt in my mind if they give it a chance they would love it."
Gaby Cherry has been in the industry for more than a decade as a director of Parc Construction, alongside her husband Michael.
They were alerted to Kylie's skills by a post from Kieran on social media highlighting her abilities.
"She was looking for an apprenticeship and we thought OK let's go and see if her work is as good as he's saying," said Gaby.
"So we came in, we met with Kylie and it just all clicked straight away and just thought yeah let's take her on."
She has fitted in really well with the team from the day one.
"Being the first female bricklaying apprentice in Dumfries - I think that's quite mad in 2025 - but it's absolutely fantastic," said Gaby.
"I'm still sort of in shock really that you know it is the first but good for her and she's absolutely brilliant.
"She's sorting out the team really and keeping them on their toes and certainly working really well alongside our other two bricklaying apprentices."
Gaby said gender should be no obstacle to pursuing a career.
"Find a company that values you for your work and who you are rather than whether you're male or female," she said.
"If you're really that passionate you're going to succeed whatever you do - so go for it."