New partnership will focus on upskilling the future workforce of South East Scotland
The Housing, Construction and Infrastructure (HCI) Skills Gateway has announced a new partnership with pioneering sustainability education provider Powering Futures.
HCI Skills Gateway – which delivers integrated and inclusive progression routes into construction careers across the Edinburgh and South East Scotland city region – will work with Powering Futures to generate the skills needed for a net zero workforce as part of the Schools Challenge Programme.
The partnership will support Powering Futures to establish their curriculum based programme across all secondary schools in the Edinburgh City Region with 20 already participating.
The programme builds a bridge between education and business, with the ultimate objective of connecting young people with the jobs of the future.
Participants in the Powering Futures Schools Programme engage in hands-on learning as they collaborate to find a solution to a sustainability challenge that has been set by industry, developing their skills in innovation, problem solving, networking and sustainability.
As partners, HCI Gateway will set a real-life challenge for Programme participants which will require innovative, sustainable solutions.
Challenge partners are uniquely embedded in the delivery of the curriculum programme which is designed to systematically create a pipeline of talent to businesses involved in sustainability and delivering the transition to net zero.
Kirsty Connell-Skinner, Sustainable Construction Partnerships Manager at HCI Skills Gateway at Edinburgh Napier University said: “Powering Futures plays a crucial role in bringing students and industry together.
“Instead of being told about opportunities available to them, this initiative allows students to gain real hands-on experience with potential future employers.
“It’s expected that the Scottish construction industry will need 22,500 new roles by 2028, and HCI is committed to providing access to skills and training across South East Scotland to ensure an inclusive and sustainable local workforce.
“Partnering with Powering Futures marks an exciting step in our journey towards securing a pipeline of diverse talent for jobs in Scotland’s built environment sector.”
Jennifer Tempany, Co-Founder of Powering Futures said: “We are excited to be partnering with HCI Skills Gateway in schools across Edinburgh and the South East of Scotland as part of their commitment to driving inclusive growth.
“It is crucial that we are investing in young people and the workforce of the future to ensure that they are equipped with the essential skills to deliver a net zero future for the construction industry.
“Through the Powering Futures Challenge Programme, we are empowering the workforce of the future to solve real-time sustainability challenges and work towards future economic prosperity.
“We believe that economic prosperity and sustainability exist together, and it is crucial that we invest in the skills to deliver a net zero future for Scotland’.
HCI Skills Gateway is part of the Integrated Regional Employability and Skills programme of the Edinburgh and South East Scotland City Region Deal.
It was funded by the UK and Scottish Government in 2017, and will invest £6 million over eight years to drive inclusive growth to improve housing, lives and wellbeing across the area.
