The Press and Journal (Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire)
Pupils build on knowledge with site visit
Higher pupils at Charleston Academy have been given a valuable insight into the construction of the new National Treatment Centre (NTC) in Inverness, thanks to a partnership between NHS Highland, the academy and building company Balfour Beatty.
Currently enrolled with Design Engineer Construct (DEC), an accredited learning programme aimed at providing aspiring built architecture, engineering and construction professionals with hands-on experience in the industry, the pupils have been able to see the process in action through two site visits.
A contingent of 36 students, including 20 studying at level one standard (National 5) and 16 at level two (Higher), visited the NTC site this year and last
It allowed them to appreciate the scale of the project and the progress that took place between the two trips.
Accompanied by Balfour Beatty project manager Aiden Teague, NHS Highland director of strategic planning Deborah Jones and NHS Highland project director Kevin Minnock, they were given a guided tour of the NTC site and discussed technical and logistical considerations of the project.
With site visits having been restricted over the course of the pandemic, the students relished the opportunity to engage with the NTC team.
They also prepared portfolios of work on what they had learned, which ranged from creating models at scale to recording videos and supplying material handouts.
Ms Jones said: “It’s been heartening to see the students’ enthusiasm for learning about the construction of the NTC.
“They asked insightful, thought-provoking questions and used their new-found knowledge to achieve great results in their course.
“We hope that the students’ visits will provide lasting inspiration and motivation for these young construction professionals as they embark on their career journeys.”
Bethany Welsh, social impact co-ordinator at Balfour Beatty, said: “It has been great to support Charleston Academy pupils through their DEC programme using direct industry experience.
“Having gone through a civil engineering apprenticeship route into construction but never having this opportunity in secondary school, I can see the benefits the programme brings to pupils with an interest in the industry who are beginning to explore careers in depth at this early stage.”
Ms Welsh added that Balfour Beatty was able to support not only the students but the teachers too with the newest technologies and methods of construction, as well as providing onsite visits so that they can experience a live construction site safely.
She said: “I am looking forward to continuing this support for the new level one and two pupils.”
To learn more about the partnership between Balfour Beatty and Charleston Academy on Twitter, follow @ NHSHighland.