Scotland’s Infrastructure Pathway, launched on 19 October at Panmure House in Edinburgh, will give young people practical experience of real-world infrastructure through an interactive 3D digital model.

Piloted in four Midlothian schools with the University of Edinburgh and Heriot-Watt University, and in association with the University of Glasgow, the pathway leads to a SCQF Level 6 qualification which is accepted for entry into an engineering degree. 

The programme intends to reach roughly 40 schools in Scotland in 2027. 

Alex MacLaren, associate professor of architecture at Heriot-Watt University, said: “The Infrastructure Pathway is the result of three years of work by educators and industry leaders, side by side, to create something Scotland has never had before: a single, connected route from the primary classroom through secondary school, college, university and apprenticeships, and into employment.

“We believe it is the first initiative of its kind anywhere in the world. It was created by education and industry, for education and industry.

“At its heart is a new qualification, widely accepted by Scotland’s universities, which has pupils working directly with universities and industry partners on real infrastructure projects.”

MacLaren added: “Delivering a net zero economy, resilient communities and world-leading digital systems will need thousands of skilled people in engineering, construction, data, AI and environmental science, yet many young people have never been shown these careers. This pathway changes that.

“And because the curriculum is designed to evolve with industry, it will prepare young people for the world of work they will face in the future, not just the one that exists today.”

At the centre of the pathway is a digital twin, a 3D computer model of real buildings, streets and energy networks that works like an interactive map. 

First developed to visualise energy data for Heriot-Watt’s campus decarbonisation work, the model is built via Bentley Systems’ Cesium software.

Young people can click on buildings to see how much energy they use, see wind turbines feed electricity into a city, and test their own ideas using data on wind, energy, water and live sensors. 

The pathway runs in an ordinary web browser on the Chromebooks and iPads pupils use in school, and Bentley’s technology is free for education.

During the course of the academic year, pupils also work with universities and industry partners, including Mott MacDonald and SSE, on project scenarios. 

The qualification counts as an A at Higher for entry to Heriot-Watt’s civil and architectural engineering degrees.

David Robertson, director for University & Education Partnerships at Bentley Systems, said: “What makes the Infrastructure Pathway special is that it puts real industry technology into pupils’ hands on the devices they already have, and connects what they learn directly to the careers that exist across Scotland’s infrastructure sector.

“Scotland is the ideal place to show what’s possible when education and industry work together at a national scale and this is a special project that will help increase education to talented students.”

Professor Nola Hewitt-Dundas, principal and vice-chancellor of Heriot-Watt University, said: “Scotland’s infrastructure and net zero ambitions depend on a new generation with the skills to deliver them.

“This pathway shows what can be achieved when universities, schools and industry work together to open up those careers to young people, wherever they live and whatever their background.”