Kilmac Inspires Future Talent at Preston Lodge High School

Overview

Kilmac was proud to take part in the ‘Building New Futures: Technology Innovation Workshop’ at Preston Lodge High School — a dynamic event designed to inspire young people to explore careers in the construction sector, particularly those driven by engineering technologies.

Led by Balfour Beatty in partnership with DYW and local education partners, the event welcomed nearly 200 students across three immersive sessions. Pupils rotated through hands-on activity stations featuring the latest in construction innovation — from drones and virtual reality to robotics and plant simulators.

Kilmac’s Role: Plant Simulator Experience

Kilmac hosted one of the six interactive sessions, offering pupils a hands-on experience with our Plant Simulator provided from SPOA. This station allowed young people to try their hand at operating heavy plant machinery in a virtual environment — bringing realism, excitement, and safe learning all into one space.

Our team engaged with students across each session to:

• Demonstrate how technology is transforming the way we work on-site
• Share insights into career pathways in groundworks and civil engineering
• Break down the skills needed for modern site operations, including digital literacy, spatial awareness, and problem-solving

The Impact at Preston Lodge

• Engaged over 180 pupils in meaningful conversations around construction careers
• Provided realistic, tech-led experiences of plant operation
• Showcased Kilmac’s commitment to supporting early engagement in construction
• Strengthened our partnerships with Balfour Beatty, Skills Development Scotland, and local schools

The pupils left energised and curious, with many asking how they could get involved in placements or apprenticeships — a clear sign of success in planting the seed for future careers.

Quote from Kilmac

“This event was a brilliant way to show young people that construction is no longer just hard hats and muddy boots – it’s technology, strategy, and innovation. If we want to close the skills gap, this is where it starts – face to face, hands-on, and showing them what’s possible.”
— Lauren Pratt, Social Value & Marketing Manager, Kilmac

Looking Ahead

Kilmac remains committed to building strong pathways between industry and education. Events like Building New Futures are a key part of our wider social value strategy — helping us invest in future talent, build awareness of our sector, and support the communities we work in.