Teacher Jonnie Crawford explains why showing young people an alternative career
path while still at school could help fill the skills gap in the construction industry.
IN THE heart of Kirkcaldy, staff at Balwearie High School are quietly working to bring about a construction revolution. Under the guidance of myself and colleagues in the school’s Creative Industries faculty (led by Gio Giove), the school’s National Progression Awards (NPA) Construction Crafts course is equipping young people with the practical skills, real-world experience and industry knowledge needed to thrive in one of Scotland’s most in-demand sectors. Against a national backdrop of skilled labour shortages and growing infrastructure and housing needs, Balwearie is offering a practical solution.
Scotland’s construction industry is grappling with a well-documented skills shortage. From joiners and bricklayers to painters and decorators, employers are struggling to recruit future tradespeople with the right outlook, skills and experience. The Scottish Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) and the Scottish Government have flagged the urgency of the issue, forecasting that tens of thousands of new workers will be needed over the coming decade to meet the country’s housing, infrastructure and sustainability goals. Estimates suggest another 26,100 workers will be needed up to 2028. If pupils ever doubt there is meaningful employment for them beyond school, that scepticism can’t be extended to the construction industry.
Balwearie’s Construction Crafts course (SCQF Level 4) introduces pupils at S3/S4 stage (14 to 16 years) to key construction skills and career pathways, addressing future workforce needs by providing students with valuable insight and increasing their employability prospects. Pupils who enrol on the course undertake a two-year, hands-on learning programme centred on five core units: Bench Joinery, Site Joinery, Painting & Decorating, Understanding Industry, and Personal Development. Pupils have the opportunity to build foundational skills in these key areas, and refine their knowledge and understanding, confidence and aspirations over time. Whether they are measuring, sawing and erecting stud walls, fixing and repairing plasterboard, or preparing surfaces for a paint finish, students gain the kind of practical competence that is impossible to achieve from textbooks.
Solid portfolio
Throughout the course, students are assessed on their ability to complete a wide range of construction tasks safely, efficiently, and to prescribed assessment standards, building a solid portfolio of experience that mirrors the expectations of real-world employers.
A key component of the Construction Crafts course is the Painting & Decorating unit, when students are introduced to essential surface-finishing techniques. This unit seeks to foster qualities of precision, preparation and attention to detail – skills critical across the construction industry. The outcomes require the learner to select and use the correct tools, equipment and materials required to produce a variety of finishes using water-based paints, including matt and silk paints, and a clear protective coating.
Students begin by learning how to properly prepare surfaces, which includes filling and sanding imperfections to ensure a smooth base. They then progress to applying emulsion paints using rollers, gaining confidence in coverage and control. They also develop their fine motor skills, learning to cut in eggshell paints by hand with a brush – a task that demands both a steady hand and sharp eye. These experiences help students produce the kind of finish expected on professional job sites, while they also develop a sense of pride in the quality of their craftsmanship.
What sets Balwearie’s course apart is its ambitions in connecting with industry. Through partnerships with local businesses and major construction firms, pupils are offered a window into the day-to-day realities of a construction career. Companies including BAM Construction provide vital access to working building sites, allowing students to see large-scale projects come to life and meet the teams delivering them. As well as seeing commercial painting and decorating contexts, regular visits to Fife Council’s £88million SW Fife High School (Caledonia High School), is giving pupils crucial insight into specialist finishes, such as the intumescent paints used to protect the steel structure from fire. Recent visits have allowed pupils to see these specialist coatings being applied first hand.
These industry insights are invaluable and industry partners’ willingness to invest in Balwearie’s young people is hugely appreciated by pupils and staff alike. These opportunities bridge the gap between school and employment, enabling students to make informed decisions about their futures.
Keeping it relevant
Balwearie is committed to keeping learning relevant and its Construction Crafts course reflects that ethos through frequent live projects. Moves are under way to introduce projects that benefit the wider school and local community. Construction Crafts pupils have built raised beds to facilitate growing produce and are set to embark on installation of rainwater collection and exterior painting of the school’s outdoor learning classroom. These projects give students purpose and context, showing them how their skills can be used to solve real problems. They also foster a sense of pride and connection, reinforcing the idea that construction isn’t just a career but a way to contribute meaningfully to society.
Despite clear skills shortages facing the construction industry, figures suggest more Scottish school leavers are choosing manual trades than in the recent past, in part driven by evolving educational pathways. In addition, evidence suggests that vocational training is becoming a more accessible and appealing option for young people from diverse backgrounds; a factor of considerable relevance to Balwearie’s demographic. This shift perhaps reflects a growing recognition of the value of manual trades in providing stable and rewarding careers and is a pathway Balwearie embraces wholeheartedly – demonstrated in its diverse course offering and alternative curriculum initiatives, such as Forest and Outdoor Learning Awards, which focus on land-based careers and trades.
Balwearie’s Construction Crafts course is carefully aligned with Scotland’s broader education and workforce development policies, particularly the promotion of Modern Apprenticeships. These apprenticeships, championed by Skills Development Scotland, combine paid work with part-time study, allowing young people to earn while gaining nationally recognised qualifications in their chosen trade. With a broad range of positive destinations for learners, the impact of specific courses is near impossible to quantify. As a school, Balwearie has seen the number of pupils enrolling on Modern Apprenticeships increase by approximately 35 per cent year on year.
First steps
For many students, completing the Construction Crafts course is the first step towards securing one of these coveted placements. Balwearie helps its pupils by helping them identify suitable opportunities, prepare for interviews and build the confidence needed to transition into the workplace. Initiatives such as the school’s Business Breakfast proactively engage local businesses and invite new partnerships which bring learning to life. Beyond school, while some opt for apprenticeships and employment, others choose to continue their construction studies at Fife College, a pathway unquestionably facilitated by having achieved Level 4 in school.
As a result, the course doesn’t just prepare students for employment, it actively facilitates it.
I became a teacher after 16 years in commercial furniture design and manufacturing. I am passionate about the educational and developmental value of craft skills, as well as a strong advocate of vocational pathways beyond school. On joining Balwearie in 2024, taking a lead on developing the Construction Crafts Skills course was a natural fit; my background in manufacturing gave me a keen sense of the value of industry partners to secondary education. Not only do strong relationships with employers keep the course relevant, but there is potential to partner with tradespeople offering skills the school cannot, such as decorative painting and wallpapering – nothing is off the table as the course builds momentum.
As a component in a faculty already offering Practical Woodworking, Practical Metalworking and DEC (Design Engineer Construct), my colleagues and I regularly consult with industry partners, analyse labour market trends and seek feedback from former pupils to ensure the curriculum stays responsive to evolving needs. This forward-thinking approach means students are learning relevant techniques, working with modern tools and materials and engaging with up-to-date health and safety standards.
Balwearie High School’s Construction Crafts course seems far more than a practical class – the approach is arguably a vital link in the chain connecting Scotland’s education system to its economic future. By nurturing technical skills, investing in individuals and fostering strong industry connections, the course provides students with a powerful launchpad into meaningful employment.
At a time when Scotland urgently needs more skilled tradespeople, initiatives such as this are not just beneficial, they are essential. Through hard hats, paint brushes and sawdust-covered benches, Balwearie is building futures and strengthening Scotland’s construction workforce from the ground up.
If you would like to get involved with the course at Balwearie High School, get in touch with Jonnie at jonathan.crawford@fife.gov.uk
Photograph shows students at the school. Credit: Jonnie Crawford