Taking place from 3rd to 5th March during Scottish Apprenticeship Week, the event marked the fourth instalment of a programme that has now brought meaningful work tasters to 620 young people across Scotland.

The initiative was supported by the Central Scotland Employer Network and delivered by Morgan Sindall Construction in partnership with Historic Environment Scotland (HES), Lesterose, FES Group, SIKA, Mitsubishi Electric, Robertson, Warmworks, Makita and Speedy Hire.

The event transformed the historic Engine Shed, Scotland’s Building Conservation Centre and accredited training centre, into an interactive learning environment, with participants taking part in immersive 40-minute sessions guided by industry specialists.

Designed for anyone aged 16 and over, the programme focused on careers across construction, from traditional building skills to emerging green and digital roles, with partner organisations also on hand to highlight live vacancies and apprenticeship opportunities within their own businesses.

The seven hands-on activity stations were: 

• Digital Den - exploring digital construction and technology’s role in the built environment 
• Pipe It Right - a practical introduction to plumbing and heating 
• Spark - hands-on mechanical and electrical work 
• Greener Future - sustainability in construction and our environment 
• Let’s Go Retro - roofing, retrofit and building conservation 
• Carving Out Construction - a practical stonemasonry workshop 
• One Brick at a Time - a hands-on brickwork session 

Across the three days, the event delivered a clear impact - 95% of attendees rated it ‘excellent’ or ‘good’, with sessions averaging 4.1 stars out of five, and 89% saying they would recommend it to others.

Most significantly, the proportion of young people likely to consider a career in construction rose by 13% over the course of the event, with 77% saying they would after attending. Knowledge levels shifted too, just 31% arrived knowing ‘quite a bit’ or ‘a lot’ about careers in the sector; by the end, that figure had more than doubled to 69%.

Rachael Topping, learning and development adviser at Morgan Sindall Construction Scotland, said: “A World of Work Tasters was created on a simple belief - the best way to inspire the next generation is to give them real, hands-on experience and let them see the opportunities for themselves. This allows for young people to ask questions of industry experts, to decide which element of construction is for them and access opportunities directly. 

“Bringing the event back during Scottish Apprenticeship Week felt especially meaningful, as it reflects our shared commitment to creating accessible, rewarding pathways into construction. We want every young person who attends to leave with a clearer understanding of the industry and the confidence to see it as a career for them.

“We’re incredibly proud of how the programme has grown, and grateful to the CITB and our industry partners for their continued support. By working together, we’re helping to break down barriers and create real opportunities for the future workforce.”

Lesley Cadger, head of technical education and training at HES, said: “The Engine Shed comes to life when young people visit to take part in outreach and engagement activities such as ‘A World of Work Tasters’.

“At a time when we are facing acute skills shortages, particularly in areas like stonemasonry, slating and roofing, this event demonstrates the importance of collaboration between sector partners to inform, educate and inspire young people to explore careers in construction and traditional skills. It gives them the opportunity to speak to industry, participate in hands-on workshops and enables them to make informed choices. Traditional skills and materials are vital to ensure a sustainable future for our built heritage and the transition to net zero.”

Barry Dawson, head of employer delivery and engagement at CITB, said: “Scottish Apprenticeship Week is a particularly appropriate time to highlight some of the diverse career options available through hands-on Work Tasters.

“By giving these young people the chance to explore some of the diverse range of careers available within the wider built environment, they can build in confidence, better understand their strengths and interests and may well embark on a long and rewarding career in our industry.

“These sessions are the culmination of a collaborative effort across multiple Scottish stakeholders. CITB Scotland look forward to supporting some of the young people engaged in the 2026 Work Tasters programme via our Apprenticeship and New Entrant Teams in the years to come.”