Pictured: Carole Lee (left) DYW Coordinator at Denny High School with representatives from RJ McLeod (on the right) and four of the pupils who successfully secured an industry certification that has boosted their CVs.

As part of its commitment to community benefit during the construction of the Denny Eastern Access Road on behalf of Falkirk Council, the civil engineers and building contractors company cemented a strong relationship with the local high school.

This partnership provided young people with the opportunity to gain practical skills and boost their CVs by participating in the RJ McLeod CSCS Card at School Scheme.

Thanks to the scheme, seven S4 to S6 pupils acquired practical skills and insights into the world of construction and civil engineering. It also enabled them to complete the National Plant Operators Registration Scheme (NPORS) 'Construction Safety Awareness Course' delivered by RJ McLeod’s Training Manager, Kerwin Stephen.

As a result, two pupils have secured employment in the local area and are preparing to gain further industry certification, while the other five pupils have returned to school with enhanced CVs thanks to their on-site experience.

Paul Dunn, Rector at Denny High School, said:

"The partnership between the school and RJ McLeod highlights the importance of fostering positive destinations for young people. By providing practical training and career insights, our pupils have greatly benefited, gaining exposure to real-world construction environments as well as employment."

Building a strong partnership

Thanks to the Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) strategy, an integral part of the curriculum in secondary schools across Scotland, staff at Denny High School have dedicated time to create and develop relationships with employers like RJ McLeod. These partnerships are crucial in helping pupils secure positive career pathways.

Carol Lee, DYW Coordinator at Denny High School, said:

"I am very grateful for the support that RJ McLeod has given to the school. The experiences on-site have been so meaningful for our pupils. We look forward to continuing our relationship with the firm and already have plans to work with them to run mock interviews and CV sessions in the future."

Pathways to success

Pictured: (left to right) Rosie Gillian, Christina McKitrick and Righa Gauld from RJ McLeod inspire the next generation of civil engineers during a careers talk at Denny High School.

The seven pupils that took part in RJ McLeod’s scheme were presented with their certificates earlier this month (June), by three representatives from the firm who were visiting the school to talk about the various pathways to enter the world of construction and civil engineering.

Christina McKitrick highlighted how her degree in Quantity Surveying led to a job at the firm and Rosie Gillian spoke about how she progressed from an office junior to a Sustainability Coordinator through a Modern Apprenticeship. Finally, local resident and former Denny High School pupil, Righa Gauld, shared her journey from being the office junior in the Costing Department to become the Plant Yard Manager.

Righa said:

"It is crucial for young people, particularly girls who traditionally may not have considered a career in construction or civil engineering, to see the range of opportunities available and to understand that with enthusiasm and perseverance, they can achieve their career aspirations."

Christina McKitrick, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager, RJ McLeod added:

"Through our work with Denny High School, we hope pupils understand there are many pathways to success in our industry. By helping young people gain the skills and confidence needed to pursue careers in civil engineering, we hope many more will consider a fulfilling career in the sector."