Hawick High School students have enjoyed an introduction to traditional construction skills with a series of mini masterclasses arranged as part of the Hawick Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (Hawick CARS).
Students tried their hands at stone carving, roof slating, painting and decorating, and the use of drones for construction as part of the Build Your Future programme. The event gave the students opportunities to try different trades and introduced them to potential careers in the construction industry.
The skills demonstrations were delivered by partners and contractors including Borders College, Skills Development Scotland, the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, and stone carving by artist Luke Batchelor.
The Build Your Future programme has been developed by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) in partnership with the education and the construction industry, and is free to use and available on the DYW Scotland website.
David Lowe, Assistant Principal (STEM & Sustainability) at Borders College, said: “Borders College is delighted to work with numerous stakeholders to raise the profile of the many and diverse careers available in construction to the young people in the Scottish Borders.
“This will help them in their future career choices and we look forward to seeing these young people take their interest and learning forward at Borders College in the years to come.”
Stacey Grieve, vocational and curriculum partnerships officer at Hawick High School, added: “It’s so valuable doing events like Build Your Future because it allows our young people the opportunity to explore the potential careers within the building sector and have some hands-on, practical experience.
“We look forward to working with Hawick CARS and Build Your Future to deliver more valuable experiences to our pupils.”
The event was delivered in partnership with the Hawick Conservation Area Regeneration Scheme (CARS), a partnership project funded by Historic Environment Scotland with Scottish Borders Council. The £1.5million scheme, which will run until March 2025, is delivering a range of heritage and conservation-based regeneration activities within the town centre.
The project offers grants towards conservation repair works to traditional buildings, as well as supporting education and training initiatives to promote traditional skills and increase understanding of Hawick’s rich heritage.
Councillor Simon Mountford, executive member for Estate Management and Planning, said: “The Hawick CARS programme is delivering heritage-led regeneration to the town centre of Hawick, both through encouraging and financially supporting repairs to traditional properties and through education and training with local contractors and young people.
“Events like Build Your Future raise the profile of potential careers within the construction sector for young people and along with the enhancement of traditional construction skills locally is crucial to looking after the town’s historic environment for the future.”
