The devastation of the recent flooding across the North-east has led to a surprising opportunity for local pupils.
Earlier this year, ferocious storms and flooding swept away part of the A93 Ballater to Braemar road.
Aberdeenshire Council has awarded the contract for laying the foundations to safeguard the new road to McIntosh Plant Hire, and Bert McIntosh saw this as an ideal opportunity to address the future skills gap for competent and knowledgeable ground workers.
Developing the Young Workforce, North East Scotland has been working with McIntosh Plant Hire and three Aberdeenshire academies to encourage employer engagement with schools.
They also want to help young people to be more aware of the range of careers available to them, but also looking at ways to increase learning options for young people.
So on Thursday February 11, Alford and Banchory academies were invited to the site where they saw at first hand the damage that had been caused and the tremendous amount of work required to repair the embankment next to the historic Abergeldie Castle.
The pupils were introduced to Aberdeenshire Council’s Principal Engineer Rachel Kennedy and Engineer Sinead Farren.
They explained the many disciplines involved in the project - from engineering to environmental care to technology – and of course, the diverse range of skill sets and roles required.
Although Rachel and Sinead have similar roles, they both took very different routes into their career.
Rachel began her career after leaving school through an apprenticeship where she gained hands-on experience from the word go.
She attended college classes two days a week and she has subsequently developed her career through both private and public sectors.
Sinead, on the other hand, studied for five years at university and is now building her experience to support the theory she learned.
She explained that one of the things she loves most about her job is that no two days are the same. She has worked on an array of projects including a cemetery, flood prevention, emergency action projects and general infrastructure.
The engineers emphasised that engineering by nature is a practical subject which is always evolving.
“There is a lack of engineers and a severe lack of companies providing apprenticeships to young people.
“The importance of visual and practical learning should be emphasised more through these vocational routes,” said Rachel.
Bert McIntosh, who along with Aberdeenshire Council has been supporting Developing the Young Workforce, said: “Activity such as this should be a new curriculum innovation in schools to urge and encourage pupils to become hands on construction site workers.”
Bert and his team continue the search to acquire a workshop fitted with the trade tools and supervisors to make this happen.
He said that the industry has severe shortfall of builders, plumbers, slaters, joiners, electricians, painters and timber kit erectors, as well as HGV and plant operators.
“There are boom years ahead to meet the 500,000 house shortfall overall within the UK, including Aberdeen,” he said.
Bert said he felt that there was interest among the students with a few pupils asking to drive the dumper truck and another asking what the wages would be for such a role.
On departure, Bert asked for a show of hands from Alford Academy on their preference to taking a trades route opposed to going to university; the poll was 17 to 8 in favour of trades.
Bert said he trusted that this proved that university is not the only route to reliable, outdoor, healthy employment.
Head teacher at Alford Academy Moira Milne said: “This is a great example of local employers working with schools to create opportunities for our young people and witness first-hand what life at work is like.
“What a privilege to see how Aberdeenshire Council and McIntosh Plant Hire are working together to repair this destruction.
“This experience for the pupils provides the opportunity for them to interact with a range of employees involved in the construction industry.
“In turn, our young people will gain better knowledge of careers, learning pathways, local employment opportunities and potentially be inspired to follow a career in this field.
“Our local employers will raise their profile in our school community and directly reach out to the next generation of employees with potential benefits to their recruitment.
“Employees will have the pleasure of working with our interested young people and make a very positive impact, bringing our young people’s learning to life, and life to their learning. It’s a win-win partnership.”