Project Description

Inverkeithing High School recently had 120 pupils across S2 and S3 take part in a traditional trades skills day.

Each of the businesses involved offered a hands-on trade experience for the young people. Fife Council Building Services provided all the tools and materials for the stone masonry work. John Fulton’s ran the slating and roofing station and East Fife Joinery led on teaching pupils to glaze a window and change a lock. Codeah taught pupils about 3D scanning and thermal imaging through the use of iPads and iPhones.

There were four stations for pupils to rotate round in an hour and a half timeslot. Pupils had 20 minutes at each trade, working in small groups of five. This gave a very focused and hands on experience where everyone had the opportunity to get stuck in but also get small group tutoring of each trade. The event ran for two days seeing 120 pupils through each of the trades.

Feedback from staff and young people was overwhelmingly positive. Pupils commented they thought the experience was brilliant, so cool and something different. The majority said they had not considered a career in construction before the day and many commented they had a great appreciation of the local community and the buildings around them.

Three individuals stood out from the event – Alistair McKenzie, Kai Montgomery and Liam Sharp – who all attended on Day 1 and came back on Day 2 to teach other young people how to use the tools and cut the tiles at the slating station! An incredible achievement for these young people who have been recognised with a special recognition award by the school’s head teacher.