The board of CECA Scotland determined that if industry is to secure the future workforce that it needed then significant work had to be done in schools to properly inform young people - and their influencers - of the range, scope, and life-long opportunities that a career in civil engineering contracting provides.
In addition, a connection had to be made between the colleges - who have thousands of young people on construction Non-Progression Award (NPA) courses - and civil engineering contractors - who have sustainable and rewarding job opportunities for exactly those young people.
Energy Skills Partnership (ESP) is the college sector agency in Scotland for energy, engineering, construction, and STEM whilst leading on the Climate Emergency Skills Action Plan. CECA Scotland and ESP agreed to work closely together to develop a customised solution – in partnership with the college sector – that would train a new generation of civil engineering operatives from within the construction NPA cohort in each college.
This innovative partnership approach has enabled the development of the first CECA Scotland Academy Construction Operations NPA course to address the major skills shortage in civil engineering contracting.
The Academy is an industry driven programme designed to create a pathway from full-time education directly into the Scottish civil engineering sector. Each student will complete an entry level qualification. The course is open to all school leavers irrespective of academic level, sex, or background.
A Short Life Working Group of CECA members developed the Academy model that would be delivered over 6 months according to industry needs. It was crucial for employers that the course met the following criteria:
- Successful candidates will have a guaranteed interview and/or a secure job in the sector
- The “qualification” is drawn from relevant existing industry required units plus an accredited qualification at the end to ensure transferable skills
- At the forefront of the work of the SLWG was the need for clearly identified costs, the viability of programme and positive destinations for candidates
- The Scottish Funding Council would fully fund the training
The six-month full-time college course will cover – amongst other skills - health, safety, environmental practices, road drainage, kerbs and channels, holes, and trenches, reinstating ground, forming, laying, and finishing concrete. The course will be delivered in an outdoor training environment.
The units were specifically chosen by the CECA Scotland contractors to meet the general requirements of the civil engineering operative role. The course will also include non-technical elements to get learners ‘work ready’. This will include preparing them for transient working, being away from home and mental and financial wellbeing.
This course aims to provide a new route into the industry and will support the attraction and retention of new talent. Further on-the-job training will take place in full-time employment.
Recruitment is already underway for the CECA Scotland Academy and the first courses in a pilot programme will be running at four Colleges from August: Inverness, Fort William, Cambeltown and Fife.
It is expected that up to 15 more colleges will participate in the CECA Scotland model in 2024.
The final words go to Jim Brown, director at ESP, who has said: “By establishing an academy model and fostering strong partnerships with ESP and colleges, CECA Scotland is driving the construction sector forward, ensuring a skilled and capable workforce to meet the demands of infrastructure projects. Collaboration between industry and education is the key to unlocking the full potential of our future engineers and builders, propelling Scotland towards a prosperous and sustainable future.”
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