Last month, the University welcomed pupils from six neighbouring high schools for the launch of a competition based on the University campus development aiming to enthuse young people about careers in construction.

The Independent Learning Programme, facilitated by Multiplex, is a 12 week programme for secondary school pupils where teams are given a project brief based on the Learning and Teaching Hub.

Multiplex schools project700x400‌

The pupils have been asked to create a fictional construction company that will prepare a bid presentation for a new client. They’ll create roles for each other, develop the company structure and set-out methodology for how they will construct the new project.

Aided by a mentor who will guide them through the process, the teams must pitch their plans and convince the judges at the finals why their construction company should be the winning entry.

It is hoped that this initiative will encourage more young people to consider the varied careers available within the construction sector.

Professor Kevin O’Dell, Dean of Public Engagement and mentor on the schools’ programme, said: “Relatively few younger people want to get involved in engineering, in all its different guises... so exposing them to projects like this is a really good way of getting young people thinking about construction roles."

Louise Dunn, of Notre Dame School, said: “We wanted to take part to ensure that young girls are encouraged to re-dress the gender balance within the construction industry and gain exposure to project management roles that they will hopefully go into in the future.”

MyGlasgow News will be following the pupils of Notre Dame along to their first site visit in the new year.

First published: 8 January 2018

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