Construction Work Tasters: Inspiring the Future Workforce at Tigers Construction Academy

​DYW Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire (DYW LED) join forces with their construction partners at Tigers Construction Academy to provide young people with an insight into the world of construction.

On the 2nd December, AC Whyte, Enevate Homes, McTaggarts Construction, McLaughlin and Harvey and Scottish Gas offered hands-on practical activities whilst promoting the diversity of careers in the industry. Apprentice ambassadors were on hand to share their journeys whilst several employers demonstrated how they were rising to the challenge of net zero.

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56 young people from 9 schools attend a construction work taster at Tigers Construction Academy in Bishopbriggs on 2nd December 2024

Tommy Campbell, AC Whyte with work taster attendees

Safety briefing and PPE
Once kitted-out with PPE, Allan Oliver from Tigers along with Anna Cairney from DYW LED, welcomed the young people attending on to site. Martin from Tigers reinforced the safety messaging, highlighting some of the main risks in construction and providing information on the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS).
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Welcome to the World of Construction
Ross Hammell and Sophie Nightingale from McTaggart Construction provided an introduction to the construction industry and referred to the array of careers within, with the Q&A segments providing ample opportunity for discussion. 

Roofing and Solar PV Panel Installation
Tommy Campbell, Skills Academy Principal at AC Whyte was on hand to demonstrate and teach some basic roofing  techniques. Equipped with the company’s training rig, participants were able to dry-fix tiles and install a solar PV panel using basic tools. Highlighting the scale of opportunity (particularly in the green sector), he commented on how much of their workforce currently has to be recruited from abroad to meet demand and that there were jobs available for those who were suitably motivated.
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Tommy remarked on the value of work tasters adding that ‘ideally these types of events should continue to be funded and rolled out 3 or 4 times a year, particularly at the stage where they will be making subject choices.'

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Quantity Surveying and Construction Management
After a cost management workshop, Dennie Gillespie from McLaughlin & Harvey  introduced Dallas and Adam, currently completing graduate apprenticeships in Quantity Surveying and Construction Management respectively.

Explaining why they found the graduate apprenticeship model preferrable to the traditional degree route - Dallas and Adam indicated their preference to learning on the job (and getting paid whilst doing so). As well as describing some of the projects they had worked on, they provided tips on applying for apprenticeships, information on average salaries and answered questions from the groups.

‘Today is very much a two-way street, whilst those attending gain a good insight into several careers, our existing workforce, including apprentices, get to develop their skills working with young people. We also get the opportunity to meet the ‘shining stars’ - those who stand-out as ideally suited to a career in the industry.  We may not have had the chance to meet these young people otherwise.’ Dennie Gillespie - Responsible Business Lead, McLaughlin & Harvey

Heating installation –  Transitioning from gas boilers to greener technology
Hadyn Hughes from Scottish Gas focused on the greener technology now being installed in homes and how their business was adapting to install more heat pumps as gas boilers are gradually being phased out. He also discussed the range of apprenticeships offered by the company, signposting the attendees to where they could find out more.
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Traditional building trades – Bricklaying, Fencing installation and Groundwork
‘Hands-on’ activities are a vital part of construction work tasters and participants were familiarised with some traditional building methods, gaining experience of using the tools of the trade as well as some of the materials involved in bricklaying, fencing and groundwork.

At separate stations, each group set about laying a course of bricks, erecting fencing panels and preparing a sub-surface to lay a course of monoblock. Adele, Daniel and Thomas from Tigers shared their career backgrounds with young people such as Ellie and Emily from Calderside Academy in Blantyre. Ellie, who has her sights on a career as an electrician is already gaining experience in several of the trades whilst attending college one day a week but stated ‘this work taster is adding to my overall experience, as I have the chance to try other trades such as bricklaying.’
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​Building surveying and civil engineering
As civil engineering and building surveying have high annual recruitment requirements – Mohammed from Tigers trained the groups in the basic use of a laser level. He also described the variety of applications for which the tool is used. With a background in telecomms engineering, Mohammed stated that numerous professionals would have a need to use such equipment.
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Enevate's apprentices offering guidance and support during the event

​Electrical installation, plumbing and joinery
James Hamilton, M&E Manager at Enevate homes emphasised the urgent need to support young people into the industry, with James Hamilton explaining that the ‘the tap’s running dry of tradespeople – the young workforce is the future. These sessions, where the attendees work alongside our apprentices, are aimed at changing their outlook.”

During the sessions, basic plumbing, joinery and electrical techniques were demonstrated with participants also given the chance to test their problem-solving skills. James explained 'the interactive modules we've designed, although simple, give attendees a better feel for the job – using the tools, materials and learning from colleagues. Having apprentices working alongside who are closer in age gives them the opportunity to ask questions they may not have been comfortable directing to more senior staff. These apprentices will have apprentices of their own soon enough so it also starts them on their mentoring journey.’ 

Allan Oliver, Construction Team Leader at Tigers concluded ‘we’ve had a fantastic day here at our Construction Academy welcoming dozens of young people and providing them with experience in several of the trades. We’re grateful to all of our partners who joined us – sharing their knowledge and inspiring the next generation of the construction industry.’

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All of the young people who attended today demonstrated a phenomenal level of maturity and were a credit to their schools. Feedback from teachers suggests strong support for the project and a desire to see more construction work taster days being held in the future.’  Rose Coyle, Programme Manager – DYW Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire

“Anna Cairney and the DYW Lanarkshire and East Dunbartonshire team planned and organised a fantastic construction work tasters’ event for the schools within the region. The young people who attended the event were fully engaged in the learning experience being offered and represented both themselves, and their schools, admirably.’  Tommy Campbell - Skills Academy Principal , AC Whyte