Building Futures Early

Wallace High School was transformed into a live construction and engineering workspace as S2 pupils took part in Build Your Future (BYF) Skills Demonstrations. Delivered in partnership with DYW Forth Valley, Skills Development Scotland and local employers Robertson Group, FES and Kilmac, the day offered a powerful introduction to careers in construction and engineering.

Designed for pupils who have not yet made subject choices, the event focused on early inspiration, challenge and real-world experience.
 
Learning by Doing
Ninety S2 pupils took part across three sessions throughout the day. Within each session, pupils worked in small groups and rotated through a series of hands-on employer-led activities.

They built electrical circuits to precise plans with FES, flew drones used for mapping and photography with Skills Development Scotland, explored ground penetrating radar technology with Kilmac and tackled a STEM challenge with Robertson Group that required them to design and build a vehicle to strict specifications.

These activities showcased the breadth of modern construction and engineering, challenging common misconceptions and highlighting the technical, digital and problem-solving skills involved.
 
Responsibility Builds Confidence
At just 12 and 13 years old, pupils were trusted with specialist equipment worth hundreds of pounds. That sense of responsibility mattered. Pupils responded with focus, enthusiasm and pride, feeling valued and trusted by the employers supporting them.

Equally important was the opportunity to meet young apprentices from each organisation. Hearing directly about their journeys into the industry helped pupils understand how careers in construction and engineering are accessed and what pathways are available.

By selecting whole classes rather than volunteers, the event ensured strong female participation and encouraged pupils who may never have considered these industries to give them a try.

Changing Perceptions, Opening Minds
Feedback from pupils was overwhelmingly positive. Many arrived expecting traditional manual tasks and left surprised by the technology, teamwork and creativity involved.

As S2 pupil Max shared, the experience challenged his assumptions and opened his eyes to possibilities he had never considered before. From flying drones to discovering how radar is used beneath the ground, the day gave pupils plenty to think about as they begin to shape their future choices.
 
Why Employer Involvement Matters
Build Your Future demonstrated how effective employer engagement can be when young people are given hands-on, meaningful experiences. For employers, it offered the chance to inspire early, challenge stereotypes and connect directly with the future workforce.

For pupils, it showed that construction and engineering are not just jobs, but dynamic, skilled careers with exciting opportunities.

For Forth Valley employers looking to make an impact, this is what early work inspiration can achieve when industry and education work together.