Four Lochaber High School pupils are getting a career head start as they take part in taster training sessions in construction.

As part of the school's work experience programme, fourth year pupils Bruce Jennings, Jeremy Vicars, Martin Lawrie and Adam Watson have been given special permission to join a SkillSeekers training course - a government-funded programme aimed at 16 to 24 year olds which is designed to provide both practical experience and qualifications.

Their teacher, Alan Morgan, has granted the pupils time out from their lessons to study for a National Vocational Qualification in Construction Level I along with seven local SkillSeekers.   He said:  "This kind of alternative work provision is an ideal way to provide pupils with a more engaging form of curriculum.  We are delighted with the help and support we've received from Lochaber Enterprise and we hope this initiative can be developed further.  It has given the boys a focus and they seemed to have gained a real sense of achievement."

The pupils and SkillSeekers are half way through the 10-week programme and so far have received training in risk assessment, manual handling, construction materials, and scaffold safety awareness.

The course was funded by Lochaber Enterprise and the High School in a joint effort to provide pupils with alternative curriculum activity and raise awareness of the benefits of the SkillSeekers programme.

Tina Davenport, Lochaber Enterprise skills development manager said:  "We are delighted to be able to offer this opportunity to the pupils and I'm sure they will get a lot out of it.  The programme is specially designed to deliver training in the workplace rather than in classrooms, so young people get to experience what it is like to have a real job.

"Hopefully they will be encouraged to consider a career in construction as a result of this course, as it would meet an important need within the community in light of the current labour shortage."