CONSTRUCTION Scotland Innovation Centre (CSIC) has unveiled its Future Skills Strategy with the aim of helping to inspire future generations of construction workers.
Building on the BIM in Practice and College Innovation programmes, the new strategy will unlock partnerships with schools, further education providers, public sector partners and industry. CSIC said a range of interactive courses and activities will help to widen participation and educate young people about the opportunities available within the industry, and what those roles might look like in the future.
Rohan Bush, head of public partnerships & future workforce at CSIC said, “Simply telling young people that they could have a great future in construction isn’t that effective. But let them play with the tech that will be part of that future, and they come back wanting to know more. We are really excited about this new strategy and the opportunities it offers. The increased use of digital technologies is changing how we work, and gives real opportunities to work smarter, efficiently and more sustainably. The new programmes also offer those currently working in the industry the opportunity to expand and develop their skills and knowledge.”
CSIC revealed it is working with a number of partners to deliver new activities. The Play with the Future programme will give school pupils the chance to experience the future by using equipment housed within the Innovation Factory. Other elements will encourage them to consider the design and build aspects of smart homes for an ageing population. Delivered in conjunction with Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), the youngsters will consider individual needs how homes can be adapted using digital and assistive technology.
Another activity, called Construction Virtual Reality Training (CONVERT) will offer the opportunity to experience different learning environments including working at height, the use of drones, Mimbus woodcutting and paint spraying modules and the Virtual Building Element Environment (VBEE). In VBEE, users will be set a task to build either a house, an industrial unit or an offsite modular building. The decisions they make during the process, including the selection and use of materials, technical specifications, and processes used, will be evaluated on completion. This programme is funded by CITB and led by Construction Wales Innovation Centre.
CSIC would like to hear from industry, further education providers and public sector partners who are interested in these programmes, and also in using the Innovation Factory. Further details of the programmes can be found at www.cs-ic.org/innovationcentre/future-skills.
