Construction courses - building futures in Shetland

Modern apprentices Yann Mouat and Harry Sharp are happy with their choice to study carpentry and joinery.

The two young men seem secure in the knowledge the skills they are developing will be in high demand. "There’s a lot of work – you won’t ever be out of work," says Yann.

Yann and Harry decided to pursue their education in Shetland due to the substantial local demand for skilled tradespeople in the construction sector. Contemplating future career paths, Yann leans towards self-employment appreciating the lifestyle it could offer him. Harry is keen to remain with E&H Building Contractors, the company he’s working for as part of his apprenticeship.

Aged 18, Yann has embraced the structured blend of practical and theoretical training the carpentry and joinery course offers. His typical day starts with hands-on activities, shifting to coursework towards the end, ensuring a well-rounded educational experience.

“The day is pretty broken up. So, you get your practical in the morning or the afternoon. And you do all your paperwork the last two periods in the morning. It splits the day in half, so it’s not overly much." Yann explains.

Harry shares Yann’s enthusiasm for the practical aspects, particularly enjoying creating physical structures like partitions and plasterboard setups. The skills they acquire are immediately applicable, allowing them to handle related tasks at their jobs or even personally at home, blending their learning with real-world application.

Both Yann and Harry are satisfied that they’ve made the right choice in staying home, rather than doing a similar qualification on the mainland.

"Shetland is a very good place to bide," says Yann. Both have a lively social life, and Yann has enjoyed meeting new people in Lerwick – who he says are ‘all very friendly’.

Harry adds: "I like being up here [in Shetland] because you can still go out at night with your friends. There’s plenty of stuff to do here. We go on lots of walks to the beach and have peerie bonfires.”

Shetland construction students don’t just benefit from practical, hands-on training that aligns closely with local needs – they all enjoy unparalleled direct access to a thriving job market.

Educational programmes are integrated with local industries, allowing students to work alongside seasoned professionals and participate in significant projects that shape the community's landscape. This integration ensures students are prepared for immediate employment post graduation and are ready for the specific demands and opportunities of Shetland’s construction sector.

Construction lecturer Gavin Emslie, himself a former construction student at UHI, is keen to emphasise the value of the path that Yann and Harry have taken.

"These courses are really good at being able to allow local students to be able to learn in Shetland. They don't need to leave home at a young age, and they can stay at home learning and earning, being in the workplace but also having that student experience," he explains.

Gavin highlights the value of gaining practical work experience through block releases to the college.

He adds: "I think young people are more switched on to the idea of apprenticeships. I've been [at UHI] nearly nine years now and this is the strongest we've been in terms of numbers, and we're looking towards next year and it's looking really positive too."

One of the reasons for the growing numbers could be the social advantages of studying in Shetland. Students remain integrated within their community – close to family and friends – while expanding their social circles through new interactions at college. This setting not only fosters personal growth but also cultivates professional relationships that are crucial in Shetland’s close-knit community.

Gavin says, "The Shetland joiner experience is slightly different. Because we're a small community, we've got more responsibility. We do different types of work.

"For example, a Shetland joiner might do a bit of concrete work, they might do a bit of roof work, whereas I think like a joiner in Aberdeen say they might do more specific areas of joinery."

Financially, the apprenticeship route offers significant advantages. "You're not going to have all these debts, you know, student loans and stuff like that to pay off because you've not had the expense of finding accommodation on the mainland," Gavin says.

He also mentions the progression opportunities within local companies, where apprentices can quickly advance to supervisory roles, illustrating the fast-tracked career progression that local educational pathways can facilitate.

Building a future in construction in Shetland is a way of ensuring a solid foundation for your future – this is a community where education directly connects with local industry needs, preparing students for engagement in their chosen fields.