Fife teens get boost on career ladder thanks to local partnership
Two female Fifers are building their construction careers thanks to a partnership between the local careers service and a major employer.
Emily Morrison and Lara Montgomery were given the chance to gain work experience at the development site for the new Fife College Dunfermline Learning Campus, which has cemented their ambition to work in construction.
The opportunities were created thanks to connections made between Skills Development Scotland (SDS) careers advisers in Fife and international infrastructure group Balfour Beatty.
Earlier this year, lead builders of the campus, Balfour Beatty gave a group of SDS careers advisers a tour of the site, to help them advise locals about careers in the community. As a result, the team at Balfour Beatty offered work placement opportunities at the development to any SDS customers.
Careers Adviser and Work Coach Emma Balfour knew the opportunity would be invaluable to both 17 year-old Emily and 16 year-old Lara, who she met as pupils at St Columba’s High.
Career advice on next steps
Lara, now studying joinery at Fife College would get hands on experience whilst young carer Emily, who has just left school, was unsure about her future.
Emma explained: “In school, Lara came for advice and help around applying for college courses. Woodwork was the only subject she enjoyed and so she was keen to progress in that and we successfully worked together to get her a college place. After that, she visited me at the careers office to explain that, whilst she liked her course, she wanted to know if there were other options open to her within construction.
“Emily didn’t feel like she fitted in at school. I would often meet with her at other locations and built up a good relationship with her, setting her up with a Young Carers Card and helping her apply for a part time job at McDonalds. Whilst she knew she would like to do something practical as a career, she didn’t have any qualifications to apply for college. I thought the experience at the campus would give her a fantastic insight into construction careers.”
Affirming career choice
Both teens jumped at the chance and Emily, from Kelty, gained two weeks experience on site while Lara, from Dunfermline, was able to fit in four days of work around her studies.
Emily said: “I was going to leave school with no plan. I was so confused and I didn’t have a clue about my future until I spoke to Emma. She listened to me and my situation, as I felt I was not academic, focused or enjoying school.
“Emma thought a hands-on job would suit me, but I’d never thought of construction before, even though my dad thought I would do well in that type of work.”
Emily added: “From day one, I loved it, because of all the opportunities and experiences I’ve been given through my time on the site.”
Lara said: “I get a lot of satisfaction from making things, which is why I excelled at woodwork at school. My college course has been really good at helping me learn the basics and I came back to Emma because I wasn’t sure what I should progress on to next.
“Getting this chance through Emma and Balfour Beatty was amazing and it has helped me to realise that I’m on the right career path.”
Range of experience
Over the course of their time on site, Emily and Lara experienced the wide range of roles involved in the project, observing sub-contractors and the team at Balfour Beatty, to show the variety of jobs available within the construction industry.
Lara said: “I’ve had a site tour, met with the production manager, worked with MMM Joinery and shadowed on snagging checks. Everyone has been so welcoming and Balfour is definitely a company I’d like to work for in the future. From the experience I’ve gained, I’d definitely like to look into a future career in project management.”
Emily has had the chance to shadow teams managing civil engineering and joinery, spend time with a programmer and designer, and find out more about the placements of structures and steelwork.
Emily said: “What I love about working in construction is that you can see how lots of little things make a big difference, and your work is part of that effort. In a way, it is a sense of purpose.
“I was worried that I wouldn’t be able to get on after school because I didn’t have any qualifications, but Emma and this opportunity have made me see that it’s not about grades at all, it’s about finding your passion.
“This placement is the best thing I have ever done and, through it, I’ve realised that Civil Engineering is something I really want to do and I now have the mindset to work towards gaining the qualification to make that happen.”
Opened door to more work
Having completed their experience, Emily and Lara were accredited by the Engineering Development Trust, to acknowledge their achievements. Their efforts have also led to both getting offers from Balfour Beatty to spend more time on site through paid work experience.
Bethany Welsh, Balfour Beatty’s Social Impact Advisor who oversaw the placements, said: "We are proud to have supported the development of emerging talent through the Dunfermline campus project, providing valuable opportunities for young female professionals to grow within the industry.
"Through close collaboration with our team, Lara and Emily have demonstrated outstanding commitment, enthusiasm, and adaptability, seamlessly integrating into the workplace. As we near the project’s completion, we remain dedicated to fostering future opportunities and supporting the next generation of talent in the sector."
Emma Balfour is one of over a thousand Skills Development Scotland Careers Advisers providing expert career information, advice and guidance in all state schools and in SDS centres and community spaces across Scotland.
Pupils can speak to their SDS careers adviser at school and, for careers support at any age, visit myworldofwork.co.uk or call 0800 917 8000 to find out about support in your area.