SNP MSP John Mason opens discussion with new technology in the construction industry.

Scott Warden from Edinburgh College says the apprentices in the last session undersold themselves, because they already many the IT skills.

He suggests the robotics and coding should be tied into the curriculum in schools, as has happened with IT previously, so that when people come to college they are trained enough to start with more specific uses.

Image source, bbc

The second evidence session will hear from academics and industry representatives

• Douglas Morrison from City of Glasgow College, external
• Lorna Hamilton from the Association of Women in Property, external
• Scott Warden from Edinburgh College, external

Read the committee papers here, external.

Mr Halcro-Johnston wonders about the prospect of the apprentices eventually wanting to start their own company.

A lot of us don't really know how, replies Ryan Patterson, adding this is the main barrier to starting their own business.

"We need more information about becoming self-employed."

Elliot Ruthven explains he has received some of this from his employer because it's only a small company, so there is potential for taking over the company once his boss retires.

Other apprentices point to issues around sick pay and domination of industry by a few firms as barriers.

Elliot Ruthven concludes the first evidence session by saying the amount of work a self-employed person has to do to cover sickness or a holiday is very large.

Elliot Ruthven, plastering apprentice with Edinburgh College, says he quite likes that his work is traditional and that the same techniques are being used as were 20 years ago.

Green MSP Andy Wightman asks if laser scanning would help ensure plaster was flat.

Mr Ruthven points out you still have to use the traditional techniques get the job done.

Image source, Getty Images

Artificial Intelligence (AI) will create as many jobs in the UK as it will displace over the next 20 years, a report has said.

The analysis, by accountancy giant PwC, found AI would boost economic growth, creating new roles as others fell away.

But it warned there would be "winners and losers" by industry sector, with many jobs likely to change.

Opinion is split over AI's potential impact, with some warning it could leave many out of work in future.

• Northern jobs 'most at risk from robots'
• Automation 'puts half of NI jobs at risk'

Image source, Source:PwC

Tory MSP Jamie Halcro-Johnston wonders about technological changes coming down the line and how it could impact their jobs.

I'm not really worried about it in plastering, says Elliot Ruthven.

"I'm ready to take on a robot in plastering a wall any day," he jokes.

Charlie-Jade Combe says she does not see big changes happening any time soon, but if it does there will still need to be someone operating machinery.

David Watson agrees that in terms of fit-out and attention to detail, it seems unlikely a robot could do this.

Image source, bbc

Ms Constance asks if role models are important and if it would help if there were women already pursuing careers in construction that could be contacted.

Charlie-Jade Combe, who tried out hairdressing for work experience before pursing decorating, says that would probably have helped.

"It should be more open about females doing it."

"How did you make the leap from hairdressing to construction?", asks Ms Constance.

Ms Combe replies she does not like sitting down in one place, but she likes art and painting so decorating is an outlet for that.

SNP MSP Angela Constance asks about young people's views on the construction industry and how more women could be encouraged to pursue a career in it.

Jessica Morris says in school it tended to be the "naughty kids" that went for apprenticeships, so these were perceived at the "easy route out" of school.

Ms Morris says there is very little knowledge in schools about how many roles there are across the industry and people should be made aware of the options.

Careers advice and work experience must start earlier too, she adds.

Image source, bbc

Charlie-Jade Combe, painting and decorating apprentice with Edinburgh College, says she had a problem with someone acting a bit weird.

Ms Combe says she does not know whether that was because she is a woman in a male dominated trade, however she told a workmate and she was satisfied with the way it was dealt with.

Jessica Morris and Daniel McKelvie agree that they have a workplace mentor which helps.

Mr Watson says he goes to tradesmen on the site and sometimes a CITB officer comes out.

Image source, bbc

One of Scotland's leading housebuilders has said a scheme to attract former armed forces personnel to work in the industry has been very successful.

Douglas McLeod from Barratt Developments said it had been stepping up recruitment for some time, ahead of the UK's departure from the EU.

Mr McLeod said he was "not overly concerned" about Brexit, but was monitoring developments.

Barratt has announced plans to build thousands of new Scots homes this year.

The company wants to construct 3,400 houses across 16 locations, and is looking to buy more land for building.

Read more here.

David Watson agrees travel costs with ScotRail are big and he had to fight to get travel expenses from the CITB, external.

The CITB is the industry training board for the construction industry and a partner in ConstructionSkills, the sector skills council.

Mr Watson points out: "It's a pressure that you don't need."

Mr Ruthven says he will play devil's advocate, as his support was better.

SNP MSP Colin Beattie asks who the apprentices would speak to if there are issues.

Mr Watson replies that his site manager would be his first point of contact.

The current minimum wage for an apprentice is £3.70 per hour.

This rate applied to apprentices under 19 and those aged 19 or over who are in their first year.

Apprentices over 19 and who have completed their first year must be paid the minimum wage rate for their age.

Image source, UK Government

SNP MSP Colin Beattie asks whether the apprentices get paid enough.

David Watson says it's not bad given he is still learning, as the idea is that you will be earning more once the course is finished.

Jessica Morris says she pays her mortgage, travel expenses etc quite comfortably.

But Elliot Ruthven says covering all his bills is quite a stretch.

Daniel McKelvie says his wage is very good given he is working towards a degree, but a big chunk does go towards train fares.

Johnathon Scott accepts it is fair to be on less money than a fully trained tradesman, but adds "it is tight".

Image source, bbc

Elliot Ruthven, plastering apprentice with Edinburgh College, explains it is very hard for a college to cover all aspects of an apprenticeship.

Mr Ruthven says in his case, however, he is fortunate as everything is covered.

David Watson agrees that a college can't cater for every type of apprenticeship, but the college lecturers have been brilliant in helping him go to a different company to get the experience.

Jessica Morris agrees not a single one of the people in her class can get every single model covered.

"It really does come down to the employer," Ms Morris says.

Image source, bbc

From the Apprenticeships.scot , externalwebsite;

Between 4-8th March we celebrate the achievements of individual apprentices and all those who contribute to their success.

Apprenticeships and work-based learning are providing the skills needed for a successful Scotland. With that in mind this year’s theme is‘Skills for the Future’, recognising the importance of investing in our workforce.

Apprenticeship opportunities in Scotland are growing and we want as many young people and employers as possible to benefit.

With activities and events across the country, this is the time to shout about the role you play in supporting apprenticeships and work-based learning. Register your event and let's celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship Week 2019.

David Watson says as an adult apprentice in carpentry and joinery, he has started quite late which he attributes to a lack of information available through school.

Nobody gave me a real indication that a trade was an option, he explains.

Plastering apprentice Elliot Ruthven says he knows pupils now get a chance to attend a colleges for a trial day, which was not an option when he was at school.

Image source, bbc

Elliot Ruthven agrees that if you were not looking at university you were just left on your own to decide what you want to do.

That concurs with Ryan Patterson, who only got information from a website.

Asher Humphrey-Martin, architectural technology apprentice with Edinburgh College, also points out there was a dearth of advice.

However, Charlie-Jade Combe, who is a painting and decorating apprentice with Edinburgh College, says her school was not too bad.

"I don't think all schools are bad with that."

Green MSP Andy Wightman asks the panel how they found out about apprentices and what support was available to them in school.

Daniel McKelvie says school support can be varied, with more focus going on pushing pupils towards university.

He praises Apprenticeships Scotland for the advice it provides.

Jessica Morris says careers advice was very poor at her school.

"If you weren't interested in university it was almost as if you were ignored," she states.