Their task? To design a new road connecting Falkirk, Grangemouth and Stenhousemuir, complete with real-world constraints like timelines, budgets and environmental impact.

Although the road was fictitious, the process of designing it was very real. Over seven weeks, the senior pupils worked in teams – and often in their free time - to scope out their projects, calculating timescales, balance costs and consider sustainability.

By doing so, the pupils from Braes, Denny, Graeme, Grangemouth, Falkirk and Larbert High Schools became the first in Scotland to complete Balfour Beatty’s ‘Big Design Challenge’, an innovative new programme that aims to give young people a taste of what it’s like to work on a major infrastructure project.

The challenge is just one of the ways Balfour Beatty is providing wider community benefit as part of its contract to deliver the A9/A904 Westfield Improvements Work on behalf of Falkirk Council.

Paul Kettrick, head of investment, assets and climate, said: “We embed community benefits into our contracts to ensure projects like Westfield go beyond roads, creating opportunities with a lasting impact. The Big Design Challenge perfectly demonstrates how large-scale works can inspire and develop young people, showing these projects are about more than infrastructure - they’re about building futures.”

Using insight from industry experts working on the Westfield project, Balfour Beatty joined forces with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) to create the challenge.

Megan Simms, social impact manager at Balfour Beatty, said: “We’ve built a fantastic partnership with local high schools, DYW school coordinators, and the DYW Regional team, who bring a dynamic and innovative approach to achieving the best outcomes for their pupils. Together, we wanted to create a series of projects that encourage critical thinking, teamwork and an understanding of the wide variety of careers available in construction - and that’s how the challenge was born!”

As well as school-based learning, the challenge provided senior pupils with a unique opportunity to visit a live construction site and meet Balfour Beatty’s team at the A9/A904 project site.

They also worked with industry experts who visited their schools to give them advice and insight into the construction industry.

Karen Wright, DYW Forth Valley Programme Lead (Falkirk), added: “The amazing thing about the challenge is that it goes beyond the classroom, giving pupils an opportunity to step into the shoes of industry professionals and tackle real-world problems. It really is about preparing them for the future – whether they decide to go into construction or pursue another career.”

The challenge culminated in an event at Falkirk High School on Wednesday 20 November, where the teams presented their designs to members of Falkirk Council’s Invest Team and Employment Training Unit and Balfour Beatty.

Leona Hepburn, Acting Principal Teacher - Positive Destinations, Falkirk High School, commented: “The challenge has shown pupils that the skills they use in school every day – communication, problem-solving, teamwork and critical thinking – are the very same skills they’ll need to use in the workplace once they leave school. This experience has inspired pupils in terms of career ambitions and given them confidence in their own abilities. It has made them realise they have the skills to tackle big challenges and succeed.”

While there was no winning team or trophies, the challenge encouraged the pupils to think big, balance risks and build confidence – all while getting a taste of what it takes to deliver infrastructure projects that shape communities, just like the A9/A904 Westfield Improvements Work.

Lewis, one of the S5 Denny High School pupils who took part in the challenge, said it “really helped me with my skills”. Adding: “I’ll be able to use these experiences in my cover letters and interviews for apprenticeships.”

While Adam, an S6 pupil at Braes High School said: “Going down to the A9/A904 improvements construction site has inspired and motivated me to get into the construction industry. I am planning on applying for an apprenticeship with Balfour Beatty and I would love the opportunity to work with them in the future.”