It is the first time that the housebuilder has supported the Design Engineer Construct (DEC) course at Bannockburn High School, which aims to create the next generation of built environment professionals.

Established in 2009, DEC offers students across the UK a project-based approach to learning and applies pure academic subjects to the latest construction industry practices. The programme educates young people with real-world practical experience and employability skills that can be applied to the future of construction.

As part of the new partnership with the school, Avant Homes will participate in the teaching of six modules in areas including architecture, engineering, technical and marketing for the construction industry. Student will also benefit from practical on-site experience giving them first-hand experience of the built environment.

Ten students from Bannockburn High School are taking part in the course, with housebuilding experts from across the Avant Homes business getting involved to bring the modules to life. Alongside the practical experience that the students will get from being involved in the programme, they’ll also be able to see the types of roles that are available with a career in the housebuilding sector.

The students are already getting stuck into their first module which requires them to design an eco-school.

Bannockburn High School head teacher, Karen Hook, said: “We are extremely proud to be working in partnership with Avant Homes to deliver the DEC qualification. It offers teachers and learners the opportunity to develop a range of skills and knowledge fundamental to successful engagement in technical and professional aspects of the construction and built environment sector of industry.

“Avant Homes will help to support our school by bridging any professional skills gaps and inspire thousands of children to ‘think like engineers’. This unique learning programme offers Avant Homes to directly contribute relevance and context to learning in Bannockburn High School.”

As well as helping students discover a career path they may never have thought of before, the course also provides a range of transferable skills to help with other studies and throughout their lives. Qualities such as teamwork, creative thinking, presentation skills, reflective learning and self-management are covered as part of the course, giving the students a platform to push on from as they grow.

Avant Homes group HR director, Alan McGillivary, said: “We’re pleased to be supporting Bannockburn High School with the DEC course. The course is a great way for students to learn more about the professions that are on offer in a fun and interactive way.

“There is a real shortage of skilled workers across the housebuilding industry, with research from the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) predicting that Scotland alone will need more than 2,750 new workers each year between 2019 and 2023 just to deliver on the new homes needed. Whilst this shortage is a concern for the industry, it presents a huge opportunity for young people to get into a sector that really needs the skills that they’ll learn through the DEC course.

“We’ve already started working with the students and everyone at Avant is looking forward to helping them achieve a recognised qualification over the next two years.”