Construction of a Skills for Work training centre is now underway at Peebles High School.

Building of the house will be overseen by the students themselves and, once complete, will provide premises for pupils to undertake courses in the building trade, gaining valuable work experience from within a training centre built with support from Muir Homes in the grounds of their school.

Peebles High pupils have already been exposed to some of the challenges developers face when dealing with construction, having so far played an active role in the cost, design and planning aspects of the project. Pupils will continue actively contributing to the process as the house is built over the coming months.

Foundations of the building have been laid and construction of the superstructure has begun on site, with the Muir Group providing the building work and materials.

The construction is expected to take six weeks and, once complete, Scottish Borders Council (SBC) will provide funding to fit out the interior of the building to accommodate the Skills for Work: Construction Crafts Course.

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Construction Crafts is a relatively recent national course designed to develop the vocational skills of young people in Scottish schools and colleges. The centre will offer students the opportunity to learn skills such as bricklaying, plumbing, slating and tiling, carpentry, painting and decorating with employability development also included.

The project will bring Peebles High School to the forefront of education provision and pupils will no longer have to travel long distances to colleges for vocational study.

SBC's Executive Member for Education, Catriona Bhatia, said: "I am delighted that this project is now fully up and running and on the way to providing real, practical benefit to young people in Peebles.

"As a joint venture between Muir Homes, Peebles High School and Scottish Borders Council this is a great example of public and private sectors coming together to provide invaluable educational benefits to Peebles High pupils."

Muir Group Chairman John Muir also welcomed the commencement of construction: "It is great to see this interesting project literally now coming off the ground. The Muir Group is a firm supporter of developing skills within the construction industry and remains fully committed to this initiative despite the current economic downturn."

Weather permitting, the training centre is expected to officially open to students in October. Details of the opening ceremony, which will be organised by pupils and attended by those pupils involved in the project from the very beginning, will follow in due course.

Peebles High School Rector John Brown summed up: "The contribution students have made to the Construction Crafts Training Centre has developed many individuals' skills. Their work with Muir Homes and Scottish Borders Council will result in a lasting legacy for students at Peebles High."

(GK/BMcc)