Pupils from seven Aberdeen City and Shire schools got a glimpse of what a career in construction might hold for them thanks to an event at Robert Gordon University (RGU) this week.

The pupils visited RGU’s Scott Sutherland School of Architecture and Built Environment on Wednesday and got to work using design software to produce their names via laser cutting and building sweetie skyscrapers as part of the event.

They were also given a tour of the new £16 million university building and listened to presentations about the different courses and career opportunities available in the sector.

Architecture lecturer Dr Quazi Mahtab Zaman helped organise the event alongside colleagues at the School and said: “There are a wide variety of roles available for graduates within the construction industry, from architecture to surveying, and this event was designed to showcase the different potential career paths to school pupils.

“Making a decision about which course to study at university and knowing the job opportunities that a particular degree will open up to you is a difficult one and it is our job as a university to engage with pupils and ensure they are aware of all their options.”

Technical teacher at Robert Gordon’s College, Lindsey Maclean, said: “Events like these help to open the pupils’ minds to the opportunities that are available in the local area rather than having to move away.

“It is also a chance for them to see the wonderful facilities that are on their doorstep and the types of courses that are available to them.”

She added: “They’ve also had the chance to mingle with students today and to see that it is not a big scary step from school of university. It helps to give them aspirational goals.”

The schools which attended the event were: Aberdeen Grammar School, St Machar Academy, Albyn School, Robert Gordon’s College, Kemnay Academy, Portlethen Academy, and Mackie Academy.

Kemnay Academy pupil Louisa Dunn, who is keen to study architecture, said: “It was a really informative and fun afternoon.”