The Scottish Plant Owners Association (SPOA) and the Civil Engineering Contractors Association Scotland (CECA Scotland) have formed a new partnership aimed at strengthening Scotland's construction and civil engineering talent pipeline.

The organisations will align their networks, expertise and resources to tackle shared challenges, particularly skills shortages, recruitment and the creation of clearer routes into plant, construction and civils. They also plan to coordinate on lobbying priorities affecting the wider industry.

From October, the SPOA will take an active role in the CECA Scotland Academy, which offers practical training to develop the next generation of site operatives and professionals. The Academy has supported 180 graduates to date, with 71% progressing into positive destinations. Delegates will gain access to the SPOA and its member firms to deepen their understanding of the plant sector and its career options, with SPOA-funded training available for graduates who wish to move into plant.

David Jarvie, President of the SPOA, explains: "This collaboration is a really positive step for SPOA, CECA Scotland and the wider industry. Our organisations represent different but closely connected parts of the construction sector, and many businesses already operate across both.

"There are clear challenges that affect us all, particularly around skills, recruitment and developing the workforce we will need in the years ahead. By working more closely together, we can share knowledge, strengthen the links between our members and create practical opportunities that benefit both employers and people looking to build careers in the industry.

"We hope SPOA members will get behind the CECA Scotland Academy, attend the Meet the Students events and, where possible, help us turn those training opportunities into real jobs."

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Gail McEwen, Vice President of the SPOA, adds: "As a civil engineer myself, I've been particularly looking forward to seeing SPOA and CECA Scotland work more closely together. Plant and civil engineering are intrinsically linked, and there is a huge amount of common ground between our two organisations and the businesses we represent.

"For me, one of the most exciting parts of this collaboration is the opportunity to look at the skills challenge from both sides. We talk a lot as an industry about skills shortages, but we also need to make sure we are creating visible and accessible routes into the careers where those shortages exist.

"The CECA Scotland Academy is already doing a fantastic job of bringing people into civil engineering. If SPOA can build on that by introducing graduates to the plant sector, connecting them with our members and providing additional training opportunities where appropriate, we can help create more routes into employment while developing the workforce our industries need."

David Macdonald, Regional Director at CECA Scotland, concludes: "The collaboration between CECA and SPOA through the CECA Academy is a fantastic example of what can be achieved when the industry and education work together with a shared ambition.

"Working with partners like SPOA, who have shared members, broadens the opportunity and ensures young people can see the wide range of careers available in the civil engineering sector.

"This is about more than recruitment; it's about investing in people, developing skills and building the future workforce our industry needs. This collaboration is another step towards futureproofing our industry."

Engagement with current Academy students is central to the tie-up, with nine Meet the Students sessions scheduled before year-end. At these events, learners will meet the SPOA and member companies to seek guidance on apprenticeships and jobs in the plant sector, linking motivated candidates to employers facing skills gaps. Dates announced so far include Inverness (13 October), West College Scotland (20 October), Dundee and Angus College (23 October), NESCol (28 October), Forth Valley College (29 October) and Fife College (12 November). Further events will be promoted via the SPOA website and social channels.

To provide hands-on experience, Academy graduates still seeking roles will be offered time on the Tenstar simulator at the SPOA's Stirling office, opening up another pathway into plant. Graduates interested in plant careers will be able to apply for SPOA funding to secure an Articulated Dump Truck (ADT) ticket. Training will be delivered by a provider appointed by the Scottish Civils Training Group (SCTG) and will be available to candidates across Scotland. The first such session is set for 21 October, when SPOA will host a group of CECA Scotland Academy graduates.

Beyond further education, SPOA and CECA Scotland also plan to engage school pupils. The SPOA will continue to support DYW events and invite the current Academy cohort to attend, try the Tenstar simulator and explore plant-sector careers.

Both organisations said updates on the partnership and details of forthcoming events will be shared in the coming months.