The Scottish Government has announced a major conference in March 2019 for teachers, policy makers, educational leaders and industry representatives from both design and construction companies to share knowledge and consider the future development of the award winning Academy9 initiative – part of the Scottish Government's A9 Dualling programme.

Academy9 recently won the British Construction Industry's Skills Impact Initiative of the Year award.

The Academy9 'Building a Legacy' conference is being held in the MacDonald Aviemore Resort on 19 and 20 March 2019.

Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity, Michael Matheson said: "The Scottish Government is investing in and committed to ensuring Scotland has a highly educated and skilled population equipped with the Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) skills, knowledge and capability required to adapt and thrive in a fast-paced changing world and economy.

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"As part of this commitment our Academy9 schools programme is delivering a wide variety of events and activities for hundreds of pupils in primary and secondary schools along the A9 corridor.

"It is now an integral part of our work in dualling the A9 and is inspiring the next generation of engineering talent by encouraging pupils living along the route to consider STEM careers and providing them with the opportunity to learn more about our ambitious A9 Dualling programme, apply mathematical, scientific and design aspects of the scheme to their schoolwork, and secure future training and job opportunities.

"We want to showcase our achievements and celebrate the success of Academy9. The recent major award of the British Construction Industry's Skills Impact Initiative of the Year is recognition of how Academy9 brings together industry and education to share knowledge and foster an enthusiasm for STEM subjects in our schools.

"Next year's conference provides an opportunity for engineering, infrastructure and educational professionals to come together to share best practice in providing education and employment opportunities for future generations and learn from each other.

"The Academy9 team will be contacting key stakeholder groups across industry and educational practitioners this week and encouraging them to share information about the event. We hope that many will take the opportunity to attend the conference and share the knowledge they have as we look to work together to inspire and support the next generation of Scotland's engineering talent.

"Our A9 Dualling programme is about more than building a road and we are determined to build a legacy at the same time as we improve this vital road linking central Scotland to the Highlands and Islands."