Every high school in North Lanarkshire lands drones careers sessions
Wide range of potential future construction careers showcased as part of Future Fridays partnership
High school pupils across North Lanarkshire have benefitted from a new classroom session looking at how technology is transforming the construction industry.
All 23 of the local authority’s high schools have been offered a free Drones in Construction session from My World of Work Live, developed in partnership with Balfour Beatty, and supported by North Lanarkshire’s Developing the Young Workforce as part of the Future Fridays initiative.
Linda Innes, who manages My World of Work Live, 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. 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.”
Councillor Angela Campbell, North Lanarkshire Council’s Convener of Education, Children and Families, said: “Future Fridays has provided excellent opportunities for many of our young people to begin to explore the ever-changing job market.
"This has been highlighted by the Drones in Construction programme. Pupils have learnt to pilot and control drones and witnessed first-hand the impact and advantages they can have in our construction sector – a real growth sector in North Lanarkshire.”
Drones are used by the construction industry in site analysis, planning and design, asset inventory and project reporting.
Seeing young people taking part in the Drones in Construction activity is always a joy - watching pupils from a diverse range of backgrounds and abilities getting the chance to have fun while getting to grips with new technology and discovering how they might be able to use it in their future careers.
Morna Fisken
My World of Work Live Adviser
John Cairns, Balfour Beatty’s Social Impact Manager, 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 North Lanarkshire 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.”
One of the final sessions was held at Our Lady’s High School in Cumbernauld.Nicola Cunningham, Head Teacher, said: “This has been an excellent opportunity for our young people as part of our wider Future Friday offering. The young people were excited about this input on Drones and have thoroughly enjoyed their afternoon.”
Morna Fisken is the My World of Work Live Adviser who, with the support of colleagues, has led on the delivery of the sessions in North Lanarkshire over the last year.
She said: “Seeing young people taking part in the Drones in Construction activity is always a joy - watching pupils from a diverse range of backgrounds and abilities getting the chance to have fun while getting to grips with new technology and discovering how they might be able to use it in their future careers.
“I have been warmly welcomed in all of the 23 schools across North Lanarkshire and I want to thank the teachers, pupils, volunteers from Balfour Beatty and school DYW coordinators who made these sessions such a success.”
To find out more and book a session go to myworldofwork.co.uk/educators/live-inspiring-activities