Inspiring the Younger Generation to Build a Better Scotland

Construction is one of the fastest growing, and most varied, sectors in Scotland. Despite this, outdated perceptions of the construction industry often act as a barrier for both employers trying to recruit as well as young people who may miss out on suitable opportunities due to a lack of knowledge of the sector. Developing the Young Workforce is committed to helping employers in the construction industry to connect with young people across Scotland, raising awareness of the vast range of jobs and roles available. After all, every aspect of Scotland’s future in regards to housing, transport and infrastructure, relies on the construction industry.

Deconstruction’s 2023 You Gov research revealed that 77% of full-time students aged 18-24 would not consider a career in construction, predicting that a future construction crisis could be imminent as early as 2025.

Addressing stereotypes and raising awareness of the breadth of career opportunities is at the heart of DYW’s Build Your Future programme, which aims to show primary school and S1-S3 pupils that there is more to construction than just bricks and mortar through a series of pre-packaged lesson plans.

In collaboration with CITB, DYW’s Construction Work Tasters project aims to help young people make informed career choices by providing opportunities to experience the workplace before applying for vacancies. This can benefit construction employers’ recruitment efforts, ensuring that those who apply for the job are genuinely interested in the role. Through Construction Work Tasters, employers can inspire young people who may have never considered careers in the sector.

In October 2023, hundreds of young people from across Scotland were given the opportunity to attend a construction work taster event organised by SCAPE Scotland. This event showcased the construction industry and encouraged young people to consider a career in the built environment.

SCAPEing out a World of Work was developed by the SCAPE Scotland Community Legacy Group in response to the Developing the Young Workforce aim to introduce young people to the full breadth of job roles and careers within construction.

More than 200 young people from across Scotland attended the event in Stirling. The work tasters focused on four key areas including traditional roles, professional roles, digital roles and green roles. The two-day event was aimed at young people aged between 16 and 25 and held at The Engine Shed in Stirling, which has been restored by Historic Environment Scotland. Positive feedback was received from young people who attended, highlighting a newfound awareness of the variety of jobs available within the sector:

"It was a great experience as it has a lot of different jobs in the construction industry that you could be." - Young Person

Inspiring Future Construction Workers Across the Regions

Whilst DYW currently offer two national programmes relating to construction – Build Your Future and Construction Work Tasters – there are plenty of other ways for employers to get involved. Your local DYW Regional Group or National Team can support you to deliver a range of activities, from workplace visits to workshops, careers events and more.

Workplace visits are a fantastic way for employers to provide young people with insight to what life is like at their company, whilst raising awareness of vacancies. In June 2024, in collaboration with DYW West, Thomas Johnstone invited pupils who showed an interest in the construction industry to their factory in Inchinnan. Across four local secondary schools, a total of twenty-five S5 and S6 pupils attended to learn more about the company, its operations, sustainability, and apprenticeship opportunities. ?

To reach senior phase pupils interested in construction, design or technology, DYW Forth Valley worked with Historic Environment Scotland, Lost Art, Falkirk Council Urban Planning and Pollock Davies to deliver skills workshops to senior phase pupils in February 2024. Across the four workshops, young people learned specialist skills in relation to ironwork, restoration, 3D imaging and printing, thermal imaging and infra-red light. All four workshops focussed on The Bruce Obelisk Restoration Project; a live project in Falkirk which is currently restoring a cast iron memorial, dedicated to the memory of James Bruce of Kinnaird, (d. 1794). After restoration, the Obelisk will be reinstated in its original location in Larbert Old Church Graveyard.

DYW West Highland also delivered a successful workshop in collaboration with BAM Ritchies, Dentons, RJ Macleod, and Caledonian Maritime Assets, to inspire P7, S1 and S2 pupils to consider careers in construction and engineering. Over two days in May 2024, pupils were assigned teams, in which they worked together to complete practical activities which provided hands-on experience with engineering concepts and practices. The event was successful in its aim to bridge the gap between classroom learning and real-world activity, particularly in an area where there are limited STEM opportunities available. Positive feedback was received from schools, pupils and employers involved:

"It was a delight to support the young people. I think it's critical to connect and provide them opportunities to make informed choices for the future. In those classes, every single young person demonstrated the skills to become our colleagues of the future - this is heartening for us." – Employee at BAM Ritchies

Raising awareness of the range of construction-related roles, DYW Orkney collaborated with Orkney Construction Training Board (OCTB) and the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) to deliver a construction careers event in October 2023. Over 400 S3 and S4 pupils attended the event which aimed to showcase the vast range of roles available within the sector, including joinery, painting and decorating, civil engineering and quantity surveying, and road works. Pupils were provided with opportunities to network with employers, undertake practical activities and learn about apprenticeships.

To inspire those most at risk of low achievement?in certain subjects, DYW North East provided an alternative curriculum to pupils in November 2023. Pupils were supported to achieve an employability qualification to aid them when entering the world of work. Kier Construction educated the pupils on the breadth of roles available within the construction sector, encouraging them to consider specific roles which best suit their skills and interests.

Getting Started with Developing the Young Construction Workforce

There are plenty of ways to get involved and shape the future of Scotland’s construction industry. Whether you have an hour, a day, or longer, DYW can support your organisation to deliver a range of activities. Check out our Employers’ Hub to find a series of ‘Get Started’ guides, covering class talks, workplace visits, careers fairs, and more!

If you are interested in delivering DYW activities, including our national programmes such as Build Your Future or Construction Work Tasters, please contact your local DYW Regional Group or, if you are a national organisation, contact DYW Scotland.

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