Pupils learn traditional construction crafts to skill next generation

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

Perth and Kinross Heritage Trust has held workshops for dozens of youngsters this week, providing an introduction to crafts like roof slating and stone carving.

Vivienne Whyte, grants officer at the charity, said: “We have a real shortage of stonemasons and people who are prepared to work with lime.

“We have inherited a lot of poor repairs that have been done in the past where the wrong materials have been used.

“We’re now having to unpick all those mistakes and teach the new generation, this is how we used to do it and this is what’s best practice for these older buildings.

Pupils try out a range of traditional construction skills. STV News

Historic Environment Scotland is currently trying to figure out the scale of the country’s skills shortage.

Volunteers in Perth, who are looking to make the workshops an annual event, have described the likely figure as “massive”.

For teachers, events like this help broaden their pupils’ horizons.

“It’s really important for our young people that we’re offering a variety of pathways through school,” said Greg Duncan, depute head at Perth Grammar.

“(We have to) give them opportunities to develop personalisation and choice.

“So when it comes to developing their post 16 (years of age) options beyond school, they do have lots of options.”