A WOMAN who switched careers after attending a University of Derby course is now using what she learned to help build its new business centre in the city.

Former Derby City Council worker Victoria Wall, now with Vinci Construction UK, is one of the few women assistant quantity surveyors in the British construction industry.

She was one of the first graduates of an advanced diploma in quantity surveying course, launched jointly by the university and her company in 2007.

Victoria, 30, of Belper, said: "I was working for Derby City Council and was sponsored to go on the university's foundation degree in civil engineering.

"Then I heard about the course Derby was doing with Vinci to get more undergraduates into quantity surveying.

"I enjoyed the diploma course and started as an assistant quantity surveyor with Norwest Holst in September 2007

"I'm often the only woman on site but the guys around me have always been great."

Applicants train as assistant quantity surveyors with an initial six-week course followed by on-the-job instruction.

Quantity surveyors manage the costs on a building project and ensure the best quality materials are used, from start to finish.

Victoria is now part of the team building the university's new enterprise centre in Bridge Street, Derby.

It is close to completion and will become the headquarters of the university's business-to-business arm, University of Derby Corporate, from August.

Victoria said: "This is the first building project I've been on from start to finish.

"It's an interesting one because it has a number of environmental features, such as rainwater collectors."

The enterprise centre will offer higher-level workforce skills training and encourage new start-up businesses.

It will house a conference facility, training suites, offices and an innovation zone for start-up businesses.

The enterprise centre is the latest in a long list of building projects being carried out by the university.

These include its art and design centre in Markeaton Street, refurbishment of the Devonshire Royal Hospital in Buxton, recladding the tower blocks at Kedleston Road and refurbishment of the Britannia Mill site.

Dawn Whitemore, head of University of Derby Corporate, said: "We plan for the new enterprise centre to become the region's premier site for business training and encouraging entrepreneurship, aiding the local economy.

"It is fitting that the skills Victoria learnt through the university, to enhance her own career, are now being employed to create the centre's headquarters."