ScotRail has partnered with Primary Engineer to bring engineering into the classroom by delivering a Rail Project to 30 primary schools across Scotland.

Primary Engineer is an educational not-for-profit organisation that provides a suite of programmes to encourage children from 3 to 19 years to consider science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) careers, and aims to address the diversity and gender imbalance in engineering with early years, primary, and secondary pupils.

The programmes are designed to inspire children, pupils, parents, and teachers through continuous professional development courses, whole class project work, competitions, and engagement with engineers and industry professionals to ensure what they are learning has a context to the wider world.

The fully-funded programme provides training to primary school teachers so that, with the support of ScotRail representatives who are paired with the schools, they can deliver a tailored engineering project.

The pupils build working models in class which are then put to the test at Celebration Events – large gatherings hosted by Primary Engineer and ScotRail that champions pupils’ engineering skills, creativity, and achievements.

It is hoped that the partnership will help to bridge the gap between industry and education.

Since its inception in 2005, Primary Engineer has worked to embed engineering into the fabric of every primary school, engaging children in engineering from an early age while working to address the gender and diversity imbalance in the industry.

The curriculum spans across pupils in Early Years, Primary, Secondary, and Further Education institutions.

Michelle Murray, ScotRail Early Careers Manager, said: “The Primary Engineer initiative is incredibly beneficial in raising the profile of engineering, and it will hopefully plant the seed for ScotRail’s future workforce as these children are the skilled and qualified workers of tomorrow.

“Partnerships like this are really important to businesses like ScotRail, the individuals and institutions involved, and the economy.”

Rowan MacLean, Head of Partnership for Scotland at Primary Engineer, said: “We are thrilled to be working with ScotRail, bringing our Rail Project to primary schools in the Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Inverness areas of Scotland.

“The rail industry is proving to be a vital component in Scotland’s transition towards net zero and being able to show school children the opportunities in the industry will go a long way towards inspiring the next generation of engineers.”