Female pupils from schools across West Dunbartonshire have been given an insight into the construction industry in a series of events aimed at encouraging more women into the sector.

Hub West Scotland (hWS), in partnership with West Dunbartonshire Council's Educational Services department, invited all S3 female pupils from Clydebank High, St Peter the Apostle High, Dumbarton Academy, Our Lady & St Patricks High and Vale of Leven Academy to meet with construction professionals and learn about the range of careers available within the construction industry. 

hWS's supply chain partners Lend Lease, BAM and Morgan Sindall delivered talks to the pupils about the various opportunities within the industry and held discussions on the importance of females coming into the industry and the skills required for a career in construction.

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Commenting on the impact for young people, Stephen Halkett, from Vale of Leven Academy said: "Feedback from the pupils was highly positive with many individual tales of why the event was good for them.

"Prior to the event, Kern Wilson, was a bit unsure over whether or not to attend and wondered if she would get anything out of it. On the way back to school on the bus, she told me that she was now sure that she wanted to become a graphic designer having spoken to 'the lady at table 4'. Brilliant!"

Pupils were also given the chance to pose questions to women working in the industry and find out about the routes into the different careers.

Lynne McNeill, Community Benefits Manager at Lend Lease said: "This was a great initiative organised by West Dunbartonshire Council's Education Department and Hub West Scotland to engage a large number of young ladies at a critical point in their career path. Many of the pupils will be thinking about their Higher subjects and potential destinations beyond school and this platform gave Lendlease and the other construction partners an opportunity to highlight the careers in the industry. Hopefully we have inspired a few to consider the potential opportunities that are available in the construction sector."

hub West Scotland are currently working on £80 million of projects with West Dunbartonshire Council, including the new Clydebank Leisure Centre and Our Lady and St Patricks High School. They commit to work with their partner organisations to provide education engagement and community benefits such as these events whilst delivering high quality local facilities.

(MH/CD)