PUPILS from a school in Uddingston are among the first in Scotland to try Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) new Drones in Construction activity.
Designed in partnership with Balfour Beatty, the activity has been added to the My World of Work Live programme, which uses technology to engage young people and bring the world of work to life.
Working in small groups, pupils learn how to control and safely fly a drone, discover how they are used in the construction sector, and take part in challenges. The aim is to inspire young people and help them understand the future careers they could explore.
Cheryl Smith, Uddingston Grammar’s principal teacher of design and technology, said, “Our pupils found it very exciting to help launch the Drones in Construction activity today and, along with their fantastic new flying skills, have a new understanding of the wide variety of construction careers across Scotland. This type of hands-on practical learning brings fun to the classroom, and they enjoyed every minute.”
John Cairns, social impact manager at Balfour Beatty, added, “We are delighted to support SDS’ work to enhance career education for pupils. We’ve invested heavily in work-based learning opportunities at Balfour Beatty, with a breadth of apprenticeship opportunities available, so we know first-hand how important it is to provide career inspiration and encourage young people to consider a career in construction.”
Suitable for pupils in S2-S3, the free experience is available for schools across Scotland to book through My World of Work.
Jamie Hepburn, Scottish Government minister for higher and further education, youth employment and training, added, “Our recent review of career services across Scotland, as part of the Young Person’s Guarantee, has highlighted how important it is for young people to experience different types of careers to support their future choices. This is an innovative new way of engaging young people in the world of work and I would encourage other employers to follow Balfour Beatty’s example and explore how they can get involved with education.”
James Russell, SDS’s director of CIAG operations, commented, “We know experiencing the world of work at an early stage leads to better outcomes for young people. These career experiences not only allow for direct connections to the world of work, but exciting partnerships with industry experts such as Balfour Beatty help address and overcome outdated ideas of careers in key sectors across Scotland.”
