Pupils get chance to try out construction skills

A collaboration between the Princes Trust and Robertson Tayside has given pupils the opportunity to see a live project in action.

Last Thursday, 16 pupils from schools in Dundee and Angus visited the Forfar Community Campus thanks to the ‘Future Starts’ programme.

Future Starts is a Prince’s Trust initiative aimed at young people between the age of 15 and 18 who are still at school but looking to leave in the near future. It gives them the chance to try out the required skills before deciding whether they would like to take the next step and pursue a career in construction.

The teenagers were shown around the campus, which includes a new state-of-the-art school and leisure facilities, and participated in a youth build activity involving joinery and brickwork.

Kevin Dickson, Regional Managing Director, Robertson Tayside, said: “Forfar Community Campus will make a dramatic difference to the lives of people in the area so it made perfect sense to bring pupils with an interest in construction to see the on-going work.”

James Hopgood, Programme Executive, Future Starts, said: “The Prince’s Trust’s Future Starts programme is giving secondary students, who may be at risk of not reaching their full potential, an insight in to the different local employment industries.

“Partnering with Robertson Tayside has proved a great success, as their existing links with organisations such as the CITB and the local college will prove vital for those students interested careers in the construction industry.”

As well as the site visit and construction activities, the pupils were given a talk by the CITB who explained pathways into the industry including potential options for apprenticeships and work experience.

The CITB is organising the Go Construct campaign, which encourages people to consider a career in construction.

Mel Shepherd, Construction Careers Adviser, CITB, said: “This type of event is a fantastic opportunity for students to see and hear first-hand what type of work is carried out on a large construction site.

“The CITB presentation covers all aspects of the built environment sector from Design and Management to Craft careers and also gives the students an opportunity to ask questions on the construction sector.”

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