South West College has taken another significant step in nurturing the next generation of sustainable construction professionals through an engaging GRASP workshop delivered to Year 10 pupils at St Patrick’s Academy, Dungannon. The session introduced students to the cutting-edge skills, technologies, and career pathways shaping the green transition within the construction sector.
This workshop forms part of the €9.8 million Green Accelerator Skills Programme (GRASP), an initiative addressing the growing green skills shortage across the cross-border construction industry by providing innovative training in sustainable building practices. Supported by PEACEPLUS and managed by the Special EU Programmes Body (SEUPB), GRASP brings together partners across education, training, and industry to drive meaningful change in workforce development.
Delivered by Denise Hyndman of South West College, alongside Dave O’Hara from FutureCast, the session aimed to spark curiosity and inspire young people to consider future roles within a low-carbon construction sector. Students took part in a range of interactive learning experiences, including immersive virtual reality (VR) activities that allowed them to explore sustainable building environments. They also tackled the popular ‘Spaghetti Tower Challenge’, designed to strengthen teamwork, creativity, and problem-solving skills, while discussions throughout the workshop highlighted the expanding opportunities in the green construction industry.
“Workshops like this are vital in helping students connect sustainability, innovation, and modern construction... through GRASP, we’re giving young people a glimpse into the exciting, evolving world of green construction and showing them how their skills can make a real difference to our planet.”
Teachers at St Patrick’s Academy praised the workshop for opening students’ eyes to emerging career pathways.
“Our pupils really enjoyed getting hands-on with the activities and learning about how technology and sustainability are shaping construction... It’s fantastic to see programmes like GRASP helping students understand that green skills are not just important for the future but essential right now.”
The event underscored the crucial role of collaboration between education providers and industry in preparing a workforce capable of meeting the demands of a rapidly changing construction landscape. As new technologies and sustainable building standards continue to evolve, initiatives like GRASP ensure that young people are empowered with the knowledge, confidence, and ambition to thrive in the green economy of the future.
