Inspiring the next generation of engineers

Scottish Apprenticeship Week is underway and we’re supporting the week by raising awareness of the benefits apprenticeships can provide our young people and how offering these opportunities can help our workforce.

Transport Scotland projects such as the A9 Dualling: Luncarty to Pass of Birnam project help our young people gain practical work experience and develop their skills for the world of work.

This project proudly supported six apprentices during the first year of construction to dual 9.5km of carriageway north of Perth.

Elliot Moir, an apprentice on this project, shares his experience

Elliot was a pupil when he undertook a Foundation Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering. He attended the Developing the Young Workforce Jobs and Apprenticeships Fair where he met the Balfour Beatty team and expressed an interest in a civil engineering apprenticeship.

putting what I’m learning into practice is the best part of my apprenticeship

Elliot was invited to the A9 project site office for an interview and was successful in securing a position as an engineer’s assistant in May 2019.

This role gave Elliot the opportunity to work over the summer months to experience what the job entailed and decide whether it was a career for him.

Following a very successful summer placement on the project, he was accepted at Dundee and Angus College to complete a HNC in Civil Engineering, through day release with the support of Balfour Beatty.

Elliot Moir said: “I’m really enjoying the opportunity to work on the A9 Dualling project. The team is really supportive and just being out on site, putting what I’m learning into practice is the best part of my apprenticeship.”

Roy Brannen, Chief Executive of  Transport Scotland, said: “Maintaining a focus on high-quality talent is important to the future of the engineering industry.

"Offering apprenticeships help our young people learn on the job and gain the valuable experience they need, whilst working towards their qualification.

"It’s important that we support young people through these routes, providing opportunities to engage and inspire the next generation of engineers."