Prince’s Trust ‘Gets into Civil Engineering’ on Aberdeen Bypass

Cabinet Secretary for economy, jobs and fair Work, Keith Brown has announced that the construction contractor for the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) project is to help deliver the Prince’s Trust’s first ever ‘Get into Civil Engineering’ programme in the north east.

The project contractor, AWPR Construction Joint Venture, along with Balfour Beatty, Edutrain, Technical Academy Scotland and Elevator, will deliver the free six week construction course, which will take place between October 2016 and November 2016.

The ‘Get into’ programme is based on a strong educational and practical-based learning structure which has achieved considerable success in other areas, such as retail, in the north east, across Scotland and further afield.

Mr Brown, said: “This partnership, a first for the north east, provides an excellent opportunity for around 15 young people to get involved in civil engineering, experience for themselves what life is like in the construction industry and gain valuable knowledge about the civil engineering sector. I would strongly encourage anyone who is interested in a career in construction to put their name forward.

“During the construction phase, the bypass is expected to employ around 1,700 individuals during its peak in the north east, as well as over 100 training and vocational places, which will ensure our young people get valuable opportunities to enter the workplace.

“We can look forward to the full benefits of these works being realised when the road opens in winter 2017. The north east economy needs every stimulus that can be provided and our investment in this project over the next 30 years is expected to bring in an additional £6 billion to the north-east economy and create around 14,000 jobs.

“More widely, we are committed to making improvements at the Haudagain Roundabout once work on the AWPR/B-T project is complete. We have also invested around £10m in the new Inveramsay Bridge on the A96 which opened earlier this year, are making infrastructure improvements to the Aberdeen-Inverness rail line worth £170m, and have made a longer term commitment to dual the A96 between Aberdeen and Inverness.”

Euan Miller, programme manager for the Prince’s Trust, added: “This is a wonderful opportunity for young people to experience the first ‘Get into Civil Engineering’ programme in the north east.

“Our programmes are designed to ensure that the young people taking part get tangible experience in their chosen field, which they can use to find further training or work in that area.”

Lynne Martin, project manager for Elevator Projects, the Prince’s Trust’s delivery partner in the north east, explained: “The six-week course will include work experience on the AWPR/B-T project and training for the CSCS (Construction Skills Certification Scheme) health and safety programme so participants can work on construction sites. They will also take part in workshops and presentations, including civil engineering surveying and dimensional control, quality control and testing of construction materials and road design, construction and maintenance.”

Anyone interested in taking part in this initiative should contact Lynne Martin on 07787 518 392 or email: lynne@elevatoruk.com for an informal interview.