Leading 5-star housebuilder, Cruden has developed a new schools initiative in East Lothian, aimed at tackling the construction skills shortage, with pupils at Knox Academy taking part in hands-on sessions designed to bring careers in the industry to life.
Delivered as part of a community benefit activity linked to Cruden’s Herdmanflat development in Haddington for East Lothian Council and Hub South East, the Employability Strengthening Programme (ESP) focuses on building practical skills, boosting confidence and highlighting clear routes into employment.
In Scotland, around a quarter of the construction workforce is aged 50 or over, highlighting a growing succession challenge. Across the UK, more than 225,000 additional workers will be needed by the middle of the decade, with employers continuing to report skills shortages. Initiatives such as ESP aim to engage young people and help build a more sustainable pipeline of talent.
The first session, held in February, introduced pupils to careers in construction, alongside practical employability advice and guidance. Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) and East Lothian Works also attended, providing insight into further training opportunities and Construction Level 4 and 5 courses.
A second session in March took a more practical approach, with pupils completing a STEM-based measurement activity, replicating a real-world quantity surveying task, giving them insight into the skills used on live construction projects. Additional sessions included CV and interview advice, as well as a ‘meet the experts’ event, allowing pupils to engage directly with industry professionals.
Elaine Gorman, DYW School Coordinator at Knox Academy, said the sessions generated strong engagement from pupils and helped raise aspirations around careers in construction. She said: “The pupils responded enthusiastically and engaged well with all sessions, particularly the quantity surveying tasks. It gave them a real sense of achievement while bringing construction careers to life in a very practical way.”
Michael Palethorpe, Community Benefit Manager at Cruden, says: “There is a real need to inspire the next generation into construction and that starts in the classroom.
“Through our Employability Strengthening Programme, we’re giving young people practical, real-world insight into the industry, showing them the opportunities available and building their confidence to take that next step.”
The programme forms part of a wider series of four sessions, designed to support pupils in understanding career options, developing employability skills and connecting with further education opportunities.
Cruden continues to roll out the programme across its developments, in partnership with schools, local authorities and employability organisations to support young people into long-term careers in construction.
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