The design and development of construction apprenticeships across Scotland are being reviewed and refreshed through a new industry-led approach to ensure skills and qualifications are not only fit for purpose; but fit for the future.

Individuals and representatives from across the construction sector have been working to develop the Design & Contracting apprenticeship, and Skills Development Scotland is now seeking feedback on the apprenticeship through an online survey.

The survey will take around 45 minutes to complete and will ask for your feedback on the content of the apprenticeship and the skills which are relevant to design and contracting in construction.

Anyone with an interest in the Design & Contracting apprenticeship should take part in the survey. Skills Development Scotland (SDS) is especially interested in hearing from employers, employees or representatives or stakeholders from across the construction industry e.g. trade bodies, trade unions, awarding bodies and training providers.

The survey can be found here and participants should complete it by Friday, 2 September.

Grahame Barn from CECA said: “CECA welcomes the opportunity to be involved in the new process for developing apprenticeship frameworks. Our members have been actively involved throughout and we would encourage those across the industry to take the opportunity to contribute to this survey, ensuring the frameworks meets the need of employers and employees now and in the future.”

Talking about the new development process, Richard Crowther from Cruden Building, said: “Scotland needs a world-class work-based learning system to support a fair and sustainable economy. Cruden has always pioneered workplace learning and invested heavily in developing our teams from apprentices to our senior team. We were delighted to help contribute to shaping Skills Development Scotland’s apprenticeship programme.

“As a result of the work with Skills Development Scotland we are helping to make it accessible for employers and individuals to engage in apprenticeships and work-based learning. Importantly this not only ensures our apprentices are fit for the future, but also ensures that the apprenticeships of today and the future are attractive and relevant for both employers and individuals.”

Steve Irvine, operations director at McLaughlin & Harvey Construction Ltd, has been involved in the development of the new Design & Contracting apprenticeship. He said: “Taking a leading role in the development of apprenticeships has been incredibly worthwhile for our business as it has offered us a platform to influence and change the direction of work-based learning and training on offer within our industry and profession.

“This will ensure that the apprenticeships that are being developed will be fit for purpose and exactly what we need to help our people and the Scottish economy to thrive.

“I would encourage anyone who has an interest in apprenticeships to get involved.”

Unite the Union’s regional coordinating officer for construction, Stevie Dillon, said: “Unite have been involved in the new apprenticeship programme from the outset. Along with our colleagues at the Scottish Trades Union Congress (STUC) we have worked with SDS to ensure that our members voices are heard throughout the process. Unite and the STUC want to ensure that we maintain the highest level of training and qualifications for our apprentices and to create apprenticeships that have Fair Work embedded within them.

“This process will help to develop the future skills required as we move to net zero and introduce new processes and materials, whilst maintaining the existing gold standard of Scottish apprenticeships. Through this process we will hopefully create a more inclusive and diverse workforce across construction.”

Apprenticeship development manager at SDS, Laura Brady, added: “The survey offers individuals a unique opportunity to influence and inform the direction of skills development and the training on offer in the construction sector, and while we have broad representation from employees and employers of different types, sizes and location, from across the country, along with the wider industry stakeholders and trade union partners, I’d encourage anyone with an interest to participate”