Minister gets insight into Construction Learning Centre

Staff and pupils yesterday welcomed Employability and Training Minister Jamie Hepburn to Brechin Community Campus.

Mr Hepburn was given the chance to see the resources and opportunities provided by the Construction Learning Centre.

The Construction Learning Centre, built with Scottish Future Trust funds, helps to provide a 21st Century link between the worlds of education and work.

It delivers vocational education through connectivity and cooperation between Forster Group, Angus Council and Brechin High School, as well as Dundee and Angus College and other local employers

The centre introduces young people to the construction industry and the career opportunities provided in that sector. That includes all the building trades, as well as associated employment.

It supports the curriculum by putting academic courses into practical use within training programmes and delivering a recognised end product, qualification or certificate.

Running multiple interventions in the learning centre means the distinction between pupils and adults fades and everyone is a learner and an equal in the centre.

For the campus, the regular activity of construction learning on site has seen demand grow for the courses and provided the learners involved an experiential introduction to careers in construction.

As well as meeting school pupils and staff, Mr Hepburn also spoke with apprentices and staff from Dundee and Angus College and the Forster Group.

Colette Filipi, service development manager at Skills Development Scotland, said: “The Construction Learning Centre has a truly innovative approach to work-based learning which showcases the benefit of engaging with young learners, both for young people and industry.

“It was fantastic to meet the learners from the centre, to hear about their experiences and how the centre has impacted on their lives and future career plans.”