Thousands of Scots pupils take part in drones careers sessions

More than 5,000 pupils from across Scotland have benefitted from a new classroom session looking at how technology is transforming the construction industry. 

Developed in partnership with Balfour Beatty, Skills Development Scotland’s Drones in Construction gives pupils experience of flying a drone. It connects the learning with skills required for new and emerging careers within the construction sector.

Schools across the country can book these free sessions and work with expert advisers from Skills Development Scotland’s My World of Work Live team.

Linda Innes manages My World of Work Live, she said: “Our aim is to bring careers to life within the classroom and get young people thinking about where their future career might take them.

“All of our sessions are created with industry and designed to be hands on, giving learners a practical experience that lets them learn something new and have a lot of fun doing it. 

“The Drones in Construction session is a brilliant example of inspiring young people with new technology and showing job roles and industries they might never have previously considered.”

Drones are used by the construction industry in site analysis, planning and design, asset inventory and project reporting.

Alan Dykes, Chief Engineering Surveyor and Drones Lead at Balfour Beatty, said: “We are delighted to have partnered with Skills Development Scotland to develop these innovative workshops, allowing students to experience piloting a drone first hand.

“We hope that the workshops will encourage and inspire young people across Scotland to consider a future in the construction and infrastructure industry and highlight how these technologies are opening the doors to new, diverse and exciting career pathways.”

The 5,000 pupil milestone was marked with a day of sessions at Culloden Academy, which included members of Balfour Beatty’s drones team.

James Vance, Head Teacher at the school, said: “Drones will be applicable in lots of our subjects so for pupils to use them, and get the chance to talk to people working with them, gives an increased relevance and credibility to their classroom lessons.

“Young people want to know there’s practical application to what we’re talking about, so to see a real person in that job and hear them talk about their experiences, it means pupils can start to map out from where they are to where that person is – it really inspires them.”

Elaine Ellis, SDS’s skills planning manager for construction, said: “Construction is an important sector to Scotland's economy, but it is also a sector that impacts on our day-to-day quality of life as it creates and improves our built environment.  It also has a major role to play in Scotland’s drive to net zero. 

“There are many diverse employment opportunities across the sector, with routes in ranging from apprenticeships, direct entry jobs as well as the college and university sector, and we know that those job numbers will continue to grow.  Construction is a career with lots of opportunities and potential to make a difference.”