Alness Academy – construction skills

Aug 3, 2023

Pupils get on site experience – Hands on learning from the experts

Pupils at Alness Academy are getting a hands on opportunity to discover the basic skills required for learning a trade.

They are spending time on site at the £34 million replacement school being constructed next door and finding out what work in the construction industry is really like.

A group of 4th, 5th and 6th pupils have been visiting the site twice a week to be shown first hand what is required and hopefully get them interested in apprenticeship opportunities.

hub North Scotland is delivering the new school on behalf of The Highland Council with Kier Construction as our main contractor. Kier is working with it’s sub-contractors to give the pupils a taste of the industry and some of the skills required.

Their first session saw them learning how to learn how to lay bricks properly and try it for themselves with guidance from experienced bricklayers Scott Dunn and Alan Young of sub-contractors Lesterose.

Tracy Robertson, head of art, design and technology at Alness Academy, said: “It is a great opportunity for these pupils to get out on site and be hands on. Hopefully, it will inspire some of them to look for a trade apprenticeship as a result.”