High school pupils from across North Lanarkshire recently had the opportunity to delve into sustainable construction practices, gain industry insights, and develop skills for a greener future at the UK’s BE-ST Fest 24 Next Gen Summit. Hosted by Built Environment – Smarter Transformation (BE-ST), Scotland’s national innovation centre for a net-zero built environment, and organised by North Lanarkshire Council’s NL Academies team, this initiative aimed to inspire nearly 200 S1 pupils towards careers in a net-zero carbon built environment.
The event, held at BE-ST’s innovation campus in the Hamilton Technology Park, showcased an Eco School Project by education programme creators ‘Class of Your Own’, which integrated the Design, Engineer, Construct curriculum with a focus on sustainability. Pupils were divided into teams and took on real-world roles such as surveyor, director, and architect to design environmentally friendly, energy-efficient school buildings.
BE-ST provided practical components to inspire the pupils’ ideas and designs, including workshops on sustainable materials, marketing, and engineering. The day included visits to different workstations like material showcases, design exhibitions, and surveying plots, with feedback from BE-ST industry experts. Judging panels assessed each team’s approach and application of sustainable practices.
Provost Kenneth Duffy, Councillor Andrew Duffy-Lawson, and teachers from the schools accompanied the pupils. Provost Duffy highlighted the enthusiasm and talent of the young participants in tackling sustainability challenges creatively. Councillor Duffy-Lawson emphasized the council’s dedication to building a skilled future workforce in collaboration with BE-ST.
Kirsty Duncan, Associate Director of Skills Infrastructure at BE-ST, expressed the aim of inspiring the next generation about sustainable construction and a zero-carbon built environment. The collaboration with ‘Class of Your Own’ for the Next Gen Summit provided an innovative, hands-on experience for pupils, offering insights into future career opportunities in the built environment.
In summary, the Next Gen Summit at BE-ST provided a platform for North Lanarkshire pupils to immerse themselves in sustainable design practices, gain industry knowledge, and nurture skills essential for a greener future. By engaging in real-world projects and receiving mentorship from industry experts, the young participants were motivated to pursue careers that contribute towards a net-zero carbon built environment. The event showcased the importance of education, creativity, and innovation in preparing the next generation for the challenges of sustainable construction.