Prestwick Academy has officially introduced a new National 5 Creative Industries Roofing course, marking a significant expansion of its established construction skills programme.

The launch event highlighted a collaborative effort between South Ayrshire Council, DYW Ayrshire, and the KRB Group.

The programme is supported by key industry bodies, including the National Federation of Roofing Contractors, Historic Environment Scotland, and the Scottish Traditional Building Forum. By integrating vocational training into the school environment, the initiative seeks to make skilled trades more accessible, reduce travel barriers for pupils, and provide a direct pathway into modern apprenticeships.

As part of the curriculum, students gain essential industry certifications, including the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. Training also covers critical safety and operational areas such as working at height, manual handling, asbestos awareness, and the use of abrasive wheels.

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Beyond the classroom, pupils are gaining practical experience at River Garden Auchincruive. Working alongside the KRB Group, students are applying their slating and roofing skills to buildings that have undergone careful restoration, allowing them to see the real-world impact of their trade on the local community.

Councillor William Grant, South Ayrshire Council's Policy Lead for Education and Lifelong Learning, said: "This is a fantastic initiative and excellent opportunity for pupils to gain a first-hand insight into the skilled trades industry and potential career opportunities. I am delighted to see such great innovation and commitment to supporting our young people into the world of work and have no doubt that this programme will be extremely invaluable for participants. I wish the school every success with the roofing project."

Andy Kerr, Managing Director of KRB Group, added: "I have been honoured to spend a Wednesday afternoon working with the students of Prestwick Academy, who have shown great enthusiasm and passion towards the construction project. It has been great to see that the students involved in the project have grown in confidence and are continuously improving their slating skill set with each lesson.

"Their ability to work as part of a team and individually throughout lessons has been impressive. All the students seem to enjoy the practical 'hands-on' experience they are gaining on this course, and I hope they continue to build on these skills, taking them forward into the construction industry in the future."