Pupils learning from A96 Dualling programme

Around 50 pupils from local primary schools this week [Tuesday 9 May] attended an event in Inverness to celebrate the success of the first year of Transport Scotland’s schools engagement programme on the A96 Dualling.
 
In the first year of the programme, teachers from twelve schools (10 primary schools and 2 secondary schools) in the vicinity of the Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) scheme have benefited from training from specialist educational supplier Primary Engineer, with engineers from Jacobs UK Ltd assisting with presentations, Q&A sessions and class projects.
 
Keith Brown Cabinet Secretary for Economy, Jobs and Fair Work said:
 
“As well as upgrading the A96 between Inverness and Aberdeen to dual carriageway, this Government recognises the importance of benefitting the communities who live along the route as we design and build the new road.
 
“Our schools engagement is leaving a legacy for the future, teaching pupils in local schools by helping them develop an interest in engineering. When fully rolled out across the Inverness to Nairn (including Nairn Bypass) and Hardmuir to Fochabers schemes, up to 85 schools will benefit from this ambitious programme.
 
“The fact that engineers from Transport Scotland and the consultants designing the dualled route are taking the time to offer their expertise, will help inspire the children to consider being the engineers of the future.”

Building on the success of the first year, the programme is to be rolled out by Transport Scotland to schools in the western section of the A96 Dualling programme between Hardmuir and Fochabers with teacher training from Primary Engineer for local schools with a view to starting the schools engagement supported by the project’s design consultancy, Mott McDonald Sweco (MMS) Joint Venture, after the summer holidays. The programme will also continue for Inverness to Nairn schools next year.