Construction was not an obvious career choice for Daniel when he was younger.

DEC changed that.

Daniel attended St Ambrose Barlow RC High School in Salford. At 13 years old, he joined the ‘DEC Club’ and at 14, progressed to the DEC Level 2 qualification. At 15 years old, he entered our COYO Challenge, to design a James Bond themed ‘Hotel Underground’ inspired by the blockbuster ‘Skyfall’ 007 film.

This early introduction to the built environment sparked an interest in Autodesk Revit and the role of digital technology in design and construction.

DEC helped Daniel to see how creativity, problem solving and technical skill could lead to a career with purpose. He was invited to speak about his experiences at industry events, helping him grow in confidence as a communicator as well as a young engineer.

In 2014, St Ambrose Barlow was adopted by Laing O’Rourke, the first main contractor to invest in a long term relationship with education through their support of the DEC programme while they were constructing the new school.

The relationship gave students access to real professionals, real projects and real expectations. For Daniel, meeting Laing O’Rourke’s Digital Engineering team helped turn an interest into ambition.

They showed him that the construction industry was not simply about building sites, but also about digital technology, engineering, design, teamwork and solving complex problems.

From 2015 to 2017 during his sixth form education, Daniel became one of the first students included in Laing O’Rourke’s ‘Planning for Pathways’ scholarship.

The paid, structured work experience programme ran alongside his studies and gave him 12 weeks of experience across two years. Daniel worked mainly with the Digital Engineering team in the firm’s Manchester office and visited live projects including Davyhulme Wastewater Treatment Works and the Manchester Institute of Health and Performance.

The scholarship gave Daniel time inside the business, exposure to different professional functions and a clearer understanding of where he wanted to go. It confirmed that Digital Engineering was the right route for him.

In 2017, Daniel joined Laing O’Rourke as a Trainee Digital Engineer through its school and college leaver route, while studying a degree apprenticeship in Civil Engineering at Liverpool John Moores University. This gave him five years of academic study combined with real work practice.

He progressed to Assistant Digital Engineer and then Digital Engineer, working across Core Modelling, Post Win and Work Win teams. His project experience included Royal Liverpool University Hospital, Edinburgh St James, Everton FC Stadium and other major schemes.

In 2022, Daniel graduated with a First Class degree in Civil Engineering.

Between 2023 and 2025, Daniel broadened his experience on site, working as a Site Engineer at Hinkley Point C Power Station.

There, he developed practical construction knowledge in setting out, quality assurance, temporary works and site delivery. This experience gave him a wider perspective on the challenges of construction and strengthened his confidence in decision making.

In 2025, Daniel returned to Laing O’Rourke’s Digital Engineering team in Manchester with a stronger understanding of how design decisions translate into live construction – and a promotion to Senior Digital Engineer.

“I chose to volunteer with the DEC programme at a local school because I’m passionate about inspiring the next generation of construction professionals. The pupils taking part are genuinely impressive – their curiosity, creativity, and enthusiasm are exactly what our industry needs more of.

It’s so important that the construction sector gets behind initiatives like DEC – they help close the skills gap and build a more diverse, digitally confident, and future-ready workforce. One great example is Daniel Bateson, who was inspired to join LOR after a positive experience meeting our team through the programme.”

Steve Gee, Lead Digital Engineer, Laing O’Rourke

Daniel has remained connected to DEC throughout his career.

As a DEC Ambassador and exceptional role model who has ‘been there, done that’, Daniel now returns to the classroom to inspire and support DEC students ad teachers. He has represented DEC at the House of Lords and continues to share his story at industry events.