Fife pupils get a taste of traditional construction skills

PUPILS at Inverkeithing school recently had the opportunity to take part in traditional construction skills sessions.

Thanks to Fife Council’s Inverkeithing Heritage Regeneration project, co-funded by Historic Environment Scotland and the National lottery Heritage Fund, S2 and S3 pupils trialled four different industry skills.

George Dunsire from East Fife Joinery demonstrated how to glaze a sash and case window, and how a door mortice lock works. Fife Council’s heritage masonry squad helped the youngsters mark out and tool a limestone block. The skill of trimming roof slates to size was led by John Fulton’s, with the firm currently working at the A-listed Inverkeithing Town House. Finally, Codaeh’s Tyler Lott Johnson showed pupils how an infra-red camera attached to an iPad can help highlight building defects and how 3D scanning can speed up recording a historic building with great accuracy.

The taster sessions were organised by Emma Griffiths from Fife Historic Building Trust. The Trust is working with Fife Council to deliver the five-year heritage-driven regeneration project in Inverkeithing.

Emma said, “It was so inspiring working with the pupils, who were really keen as well as really able, and to offer a different kind of learning experience in school. Over a quarter of pupils said taking part had given them a more positive view of Inverkeithing.

“Jim Kinnell of Fife College also visited, and gave guidance on pathways – lucky, as over half the pupils participating said they’d consider a career in construction.”

Councillor David Barratt, convener of the south and west Fife area committee, added, “It’s encouraging to hear how well the pupils engaged with this project and that they found it so enjoyable. Fife’s heritage represents a huge cultural and economic asset. Towns like Inverkeithing have so many historic buildings so it’s great to see the possibility of maintaining them, presented in such a hands-on way, as future career options to local pupils.”