NURSERY children in Dundee have designed their own dream playpark — as part of local efforts to support a national workforce programme.
Dundee University’s school of town and regional planning students collaborated with kids aged three to five at Dens Road Nursery.
The project involved the pupils designing their own playpark and surrounding areas, using a 3D printer to see their designs take shape.
It was part of Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce — a Scottish Government initiative involving Skills Development Scotland, Education Scotland, the Scottish Funding Council, schools, colleges, universities, local authorities and other partners.
And it comes as the Tele continues to highlight initiatives in the city designed to help people find employment through our Let’s Get Dundee Working campaign.
Karen Gunn, manager of the skills for learning and work team at Dundee City Council, said: “All of the community planning partners in Dundee are working together to ensure that we are able to offer young people a number of relevant routes from schools into employment.
“We have a variety of projects under way to help get pupils work ready including partnerships with employers, vocational pathways from school, higher education pathways, post school support and some school-specific initiatives.”
Throughout the project, the Dens Road pupils had to draw structures, explore materials, develop an understanding of technology-based tools for creating new buildings and structures, and finally build their projects using the 3D printer. The project aimed to help improve teamwork and problem-solving skills, develop the use of equipment and software, and develop possible career aspirations.
Jenni Mackay, education support officer for the University of Dundee, said: “Once this process had been carried out for the playpark, the school worked with the town planning students from the university to develop it further, with pupils and students focusing on the nursery playground and surrounding areas.
“It is key that our children and young people begin to understand how technologies affect the world of work and their impact on society.”
