MSPs learn about traditional building skills outside Scottish parliament

Alison Johnstone MSP, presiding officer of the Scottish parliament, tries her hand at slate cutting

OVER 30 MSPs joined young people and construction industry representatives at a recent event to learn more about traditional building skills.

NFRC members were present at the Scottish Traditional Building Forum event, to deliver slating demonstrations.

This experience was noted in the chamber by MSPs who attended. Clare Adamson MSP reported that, “Today, I was delighted to attend the skills demonstration outside the parliament that was hosted by the Scottish Traditional Building Forum, where I tried my hand at some slate cutting. I do not think that it is something that I see in my future, but seeing young people engaging in those endeavours was very exciting.”

She asked whether the education minister agreed ‘that supporting such heritage skills workshops through local schools is vital to promoting rewarding careers and delivering on the objectives of the developing the young workforce strategy?’.

Scott Miller, Scotland chair for NFRC, said, “NFRC continues to work across the industry to promote the many and diverse careers in construction and it is great to see the way this has developed. NFRC was involved in delivering the roofing element of skills demonstrations in schools from Lochgilphead to Jedburgh last year and demand for these events continues to grow.

“Many thanks to Gordon MacDonald MSP and Alex Rowley MSP for sponsoring the event at the parliament and their long-term support of these events. It was good to see so many MSPs participate in the event and find out more about our work in this area and this was even raised in the debating chamber at the parliament by a few of the MSPs including the minister for higher and further education.”