Over 30 MSPs along with young people and construction industry representatives attended a demonstration and learning event last week (week commencing 15 May), to learn more about traditional building skills.
NFRC Members were present at the Scottish Traditional Building Forum event, to deliver slating demonstrations.
This experience was noted in the chamber by MSPs who attended. Clare Adamson MSP reported that ‘Today, I was delighted to attend the skills demonstration outside the Parliament that was hosted by the Scottish Traditional Building Forum, where I tried my hand at some slate cutting. I do not think that it is something that I see in my future, but seeing young people engaging in those endeavours was very exciting.’ She asked whether the Minister for Higher and Further Education agreed ‘that supporting such heritage skills workshops through local schools is vital to promoting rewarding careers and delivering on the objectives of the developing the young workforce strategy?’.
Scott Miller, Scotland Chair for NFRC, said:
‘NFRC continues to work across the industry to promote the many and diverse careers in construction and it is great to see the way this has developed. NFRC was involved in delivering the roofing element of skills demonstrations in schools from Lochgilphead to Jedburgh last year and demand for these events continues to grow.
‘Many thanks to Gordon MacDonald MSP and Alex Rowley MSP for sponsoring the event at the Parliament and their long-term support of these events.
‘It was good to see so many MSPs participate in the event and find out more about our work in this area and this was even raised in the Debating Chamber at the parliament by a few of the MSPs including the Minister for Higher and Further Education.’