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Forres-based AJ Engineering have given young people an insight into the world of work by setting them the task of creating mini replicas of the Forres Railway pedestrian bridge.
Over 100 pupils from Forres Academy were set the task of building an exact copy of the bridge by the firm, who were contracted to design, fabricate and install the actual bridge as part of the Aberdeen-Inverness Improvement Project.
The challenge, which involved students having to read plans, fabricate parts to exact measurements and build the bridge in cardboard was set for the induction of S5 pupils at the Academy
Jazmin Kellas, Quality Manager for AJ Engineering, who took the lead on the task, said: " We have a close relationship with Forres Academy and were delighted when they approached us to see if we could help with the S5 Induction Day. The brief was to set a challenge which made the pupils think about what future roles they may take on when they eventually get started in the world of work themselves.
"We decided on using the footbridge as firstly it’s a real project that is tangible for the young people and whilst we wanted to make it achievable, we also needed to make sure there was a very real challenge for the young people.
"The design itself is fairly basic, but there are quirky design features, so we thought it would be interesting to see how many of the young people picked up on those and made sure everything was put in the correct place and the right way round. The bridge is also two colours, so we kept that design element too and only gave them just enough materials to complete the build. We tried to make it as lifelike as possible."
Ms Kellas has worked at AJ Engineering for a year and was assisted by the firm’s graduate apprentice, Laura Mair, and the project manager for the footbridge, Gary Moyes.
She added: "We ran three workshops throughout the day and the pupils were split into two teams. We showed them the actual drawings we worked to and explained how the process worked, then it was over to them to organise how they handled the challenge. It was fascinating seeing how differently each group approached it.
"Creating links with young people is very important to AJ Engineering. We have a vibrant apprenticeship programme and we were one of the first company’s in the north to employ a graduate apprentice. We also have a former Forres Academy pupil who is now at university working with us for three months over the summer. The whole day was a huge success and the pupils showed such enthusiasm for the challenge."
Depute Head Teacher Sandra Mcculloch said: "We are very grateful to AJ Engineering who put together this challenging workshop which truly gave the pupils an insight into the workplace and the different roles and skills that are required. It highlighted a number of core skills such as leadership, communication, problem solving and responsibility to name but a few.
"The whole S5 induction event which we themed Bridging the Gap aims to highlight the move the pupils are choosing to make from compulsory education in S1-4 into post-16 education. The final goal is for each of them to attain employment which gives them satisfaction, whether that happens directly after leaving school, after college or university or via an apprenticeship.
"Our aim today was to give them an insight into how the skills they have been developing may be used when they get into the workplace."
Image: (L – R) Danny McBean, Eleanor Partington, AJ Engineering’s graduate apprentice Laura Mair and quality manager Jazmin Kellas and Sophie McIntyre and James Maclean with their completed bridges from the S5 induction workshop.
(LM/MH)
