Inverness pupils unveil grand designs for Highland prison
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Pupils at Millburn Academy had the chance to get hands-on with one of the most eagerly anticipated new build projects in Inverness.
As part of the Community Benefit Plan for HMP Highland – the facility due to replace the existing Inverness Prison – the Scottish Prison Service, builder Balfour Beatty and design firm BakerHicks have been working in partnership to provide the school’s Higher and Advanced Higher graphic communication pupils from their Architecture Club the opportunity to take part in a work experience project.
The HMP Highland Community Benefit team, along with BakerHicks, provided a brief and a real-life work scenario which provided pupils with the opportunity to come up with their own designs for a fictional family centre at the new facility.
Pupils were guided by representatives from both BakerHicks and Balfour Beatty, giving them a chance to apply their learning from the classroom in the world of work.
With a range of practical assignments including the creation of mood boards, sketches, interior design and space planning, pupils polished up on their 3D modelling and presentation skills, and with access to a team of building design professionals, were able to apply themselves to a real-life situation, coming away with a portfolio to support future college, university or job applications.
Fully immersed in the project from last November to last month, the pupils also gained skills vital to carry them through to the workplace including creative thinking, communication, teamwork and self-critique.
Nel Rodgers, Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) school co-ordinator at Millburn Academy, said: “Experiences like this are so important to pupils taking their learning beyond the classroom and giving them the chance to explore the real world of work.
“It reinforces the huge benefits there are to be had in increased employer engagement with schools and demonstrates that by investing in young people we can build the talent of today to become the future workforce of tomorrow.”
Final presentations took place at the school to an audience of parents, guardians and friends with representatives from BakerHicks, Balfour Beatty and HMP Highland also in attendance.
Gordon McCauley, operational adviser for the design and construction of HMP Highland, said: “I was really impressed with the enthusiasm and commitment of the pupils and the final designs that were presented to us.
“We hope to continue with this opportunity and engage with other schools throughout the Highlands and Islands as part of the HMP Highland project legacy.”
Laura James, head of Scotland at BakerHicks, said: “Each year, we welcome talented young people onto our placement programme and the calibre of those at Millburn Academy has been fantastic.
“Pupils were full of enthusiasm to learn and explore – they showed a real interest in the subject matter and now know more about what it’s like to work in a consultancy environment, which should help them during the course of their career journeys.”
Bethany Welsh, social impact co-ordinator for Balfour Beatty, said: “We have been able to showcase one of the amazing projects we work on and provide a unique experience for the pupils to get a real sense of what goes on behind-the-scenes in construction, which is so important.
“Employer engagement and inspiring young people into new potential careers is essential to closing the skills gaps and filling job roles that might not even exist yet.
“We were also delighted to present each pupil with a bespoke certificate from the companies involved in the programme and an Engineering Development Trust (EDT) industrial cadet bronze award for all their hard work on their designs.”
