A new app has been launched aimed at inspiring the next generation into considering a career in the construction industry.

The Virtual Project Manager takes young people inside an animated 3D world where they are in charge of building new homes.

It is part of the Virtual Reality Careers in Construction developed through Skills Development Scotland's My World of Work Live! programme, with partners the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), Heriot-Watt University and Animmersion UK Ltd.

The app is one of three mini games available through My World of Work Live!, which use Virtual Reality to highlight career opportunities within the industry.

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Pupils from Edinburgh's Leith Academy were joined by apprentices from Sharkey Group and First Call Trade Services to launch the app on Google Play Store during Scottish Apprenticeship Week, an annual campaign to encourage more people to take up apprenticeships.

Louise Chisholm, Senior Programme Manager for My World of Work Live! said the app "immerses young people in a construction environment in a fun and engaging way".

"We hope it will help open their eyes to the wealth of opportunity the construction industry in Scotland has to offer," she said.

John Keenan, Partnerships Manager at CITB Scotland, added: "Virtual Project Manager is an innovative way of capturing young people's imaginations about the fantastic opportunities a career in construction can provide them with.

"We hope that it will enable users to experience construction and inspire them to get involved in the development of Scotland's built environment in the future."

(LM/CD)