Pioneering pathway set to power Scotland’s next generation of engineers

A new qualification developed by Heriot-Watt University and Midlothian Council, using software from global infrastructure engineering company Bentley Systems, is set to open a fresh route into engineering for secondary pupils across Scotland.

Scotland's Infrastructure Pathway, launched yesterday (Monday 19) at Panmure House in Edinburgh, giving young people hands-on experience of real-world infrastructure through an interactive 3D digital model.

The course comes as Scotland plans £11.1 billion of infrastructure investment to drive growth, with the construction industry needing around 2,590 extra workers every year to 2030, according to the Construction Industry Training Board.

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 that is accepted for engineering degree entry. The programme aims to reach around 40 schools across Scotland next year.

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.

"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 heart of the pathway is a digital twin, a 3D computer model of real buildings, streets and energy networks that works like an interactive map. Engineers use digital twins to plan and manage everything from roads to power grids.

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

Pupils can click on buildings to see how much energy they use, watch wind turbines feed electricity into a city, and test their own ideas using real data on wind, energy, water and live sensors. The hands-on approach is designed to engage pupils who may not thrive in traditional maths and science lessons.

Industry normally needs software and computers costing hundreds of thousands of pounds for this kind of work. The pathway runs in an ordinary web browser on the Chromebooks and iPads pupils already use in school, and Bentley's technology is free for education.

Over an academic year, pupils also work with universities and industry partners, including Mott MacDonald and SSE, on real project scenarios. The qualification counts as an A at Higher for entry to Heriot-Watt's civil and architectural engineering degrees.

David Robertson, Director – University & Education Partnershipsat 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.

"This is a proud moment for all involved to create a pathway that connects education directly to the opportunities of the future."

Following the launch, the partners will hold events for schools and employers in Edinburgh (Tuesday 20 October), Glasgow (Wednesday 21 October), Aberdeen (Thursday 29 October) and Dundee (Friday 30 October).