Pupils with a passion for construction have been able to see a major live project in action through a collaboration between Robertson Tayside and the Prince’s Trust.
Around 16 teenagers from schools in Angus and Dundee enjoyed the visit to the £38 million Forfar Community Campus as part of the Future Starts programme.
They were shown around the site which will feature a new state-of-the-art school and leisure facilities and also took part in a youth build activity getting hands-on with both brickwork and joinery.
Kevin Dickson, regional managing director of 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 ongoing work.
“At Robertson we place a real emphasis on engaging with youths, and we were one of the first construction companies in Scotland to be awarded Silver accreditation from Investors in Young People.”
Future Starts is a Prince’s Trust initiative aimed at people between the age of 15 and 18 who are still at school but looking to leave in the near future.
It provides an introduction to various sectors to allow them to try their hand at the skills required before deciding if construction is something they would like to pursue further.
Future Starts programme executive James Hopgood 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 (Construction Industry Training Board) and the local college will prove vital for those students interested in careers in the construction industry,” he added.
The CITB also outlined to pupils routes into the industry, including options for apprenticeships and work experience.
CITB construction careers adviser Mel Shepherd 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.”
CITB is behind the Go Construct campaign, which aims to encourage people to consider a career in construction.
The Forfar Community Campus is being developed by Angus Council in partnership with the Hub East Central Scotland.
Pupils are due to move into the classrooms of the new 1,270-pupil Forfar Academy in early 2017.