High school pupils in Tayside learn traditional construction in bid to tackle skills shortage

High school pupils in Tayside have been learning the crafts of traditional construction in a bid to tackle a skills shortage in the industry.

Workshops at Dundee and Angus College provided an introduction to crafts including masonry, decoration and roofing.

“There is a skills shortage for traditional skills,” said Gordon MacDougall from Dundee Historic Environment Trust.

“One of the things we wanted to do with other partners; Dundee and Angus Councils, Dundee and Angus College, was to put on an event to promote that.

“To get young pupils, in particular, interested and involved in learning the skills that are needed to do a lot of the restoration work in our heritage.”

Around 90 second and third year high school pupils took part in the sessions last week.

Among them was Diego Sloan, who said: “It’s been really good, I’ve done quite a lot.

“It’s quite hard to pick one favourite thing because everything’s quite hands on, that’s what I like to do.”

Dundee and Angus College principal Simon Hewitt, said: “It’s vital to have opportunities like this and, more importantly, for young people to get their hands on tools, see the facilities, and have a good time.

“That’s massively important as well, to see there are real career opportunities in this area.”

Tayside is home to some of Scotland’s most historic buildings, including Scone Palace and Glamis Castle.

But it’s feared their longevity could be at risk unless more workers are trained to repair them.

“You go into the centre of Dundee or Arbroath, Brechin, Forfar and look around, it’s full of buildings that are built of stone, slate roofs,” said Sara Carruthers, a building conservation specialist.

“Really high quality joinery and they all need repairing.

“To meet the climate challenge, we’ll need to keep these buildings in good repair so they’re fit for purpose for another 50 years.”

It was the first time organisers have put on such an event in Dundee.

They hope to hold more in the future – to inspire the next generation of craftsmen and women.