Celebrating the Evolution of Academy9: A Journey of Innovation and Impact
Since its inception, the Academy9 programme has stood as a blueprint of collaboration between industry and education, designed to inspire, inform, and empower the next generation. What began as a pioneering outreach initiative has grown into a dynamic, future-facing programme that reflects the evolving priorities of two worlds; Engineering and Education, that champions building a bridge between them (pun intended).
Over the years, Academy9 has adapted to meet the changing needs of learners and the infrastructure industry. As sustainability, digital innovation, and community engagement have become central themes in both education and construction, Academy9 has responded with agility and purpose. From integrating climate-conscious content to promoting STEM careers that support a greener future, the programme continues to align with national and global goals.
One of the most exciting aspects of Academy9’s evolution is its ability to remain relevant and impactful. Whether through immersive learning experiences, interactive workshops, or digital resources, the programme has consistently delivered value to schools, educators, and industry partners alike.
Engagement Highlights
Since the beginning of the programme, the Academy9 team have accumulated just over 40,700 hours of engagement with Young People in schools across Scotland through our events. On top of this we have provided just over 8,000 hours of CPD opportunities for industry professionals to inspire the next generation into STEM and close to 4,700 hours of CPD for teachers.
These figures reflect not only the scale of Academy9’s reach but also the depth of its influence in shaping aspirations and serving as a strong link between education and industry.
“Tall Oaks from Little Acorns Grow.”
What started with one Primary 5 ‘Gateway’ event at the launch of the initiative in 2015 has since grown into a programme of close to 10 core events delivered to schools along the full length of the A9 Dualling corridor, a national sustainability challenge and a growing suite of digital learning resources for industry professionals, educators and learners.
But this isn’t just any educational programme.
Academy9 has been built in line with Education Scotland’s education and curricular outcomes at the heart of what we do, with every event having a clear purpose and link between education and industry. At its inception the Knowledge Exchange Partnership (KEeP Learning) were key consultants on the project which ensured the strong partnership between education and industry. Their exceptional knowledge, and experience, and the weaving of mindset into all our events and activities were instrumental in the strong foundations on which Academy9 was built.
The Academy9 experience a young person receives is more than just an isolated event too. The Academy9 programme follows them through their education from primary 2 up to S6, providing them with tailored experiences to bring them insight into what happens on projects such as the A9 Dualling programme, while helping them to grow and develop many transferrable skills. The Academy9 team love seeing the familiar faces over the years and watching the young people grow into amazing young adults.
The Highs and Lows
No journey is without its peaks and valleys, and Academy9’s evolution has been shaped by both.
Academy9 has celebrated some incredible milestones over the years.
- Winning two prestigious awards stands out as a testament to the programme’s innovation and impact.
- The range of these awards is significant with a skills impact initiative of the year in the construction industry and knowledge sharing within the field of ecology and environmental management.
- Hosting our very own Academy9 conference brought together educators, industry professionals, and pupils in a shared space of learning and inspiration.
- We’ve built strong, lasting relationships with our corridor schools, and our partnership with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) has helped us extend our reach and deepen our impact.
- Perhaps most rewarding of all has been seeing pupils engage enthusiastically with our events. Watching their curiosity grow and their confidence flourish has been a true highlight.
Like many programmes, Academy9 faced challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. In-person events had to be postponed, disrupting the hands-on experiences we value so highly. But with resilience and adaptability, the team pivoted to online delivery, ensuring continuity and maintaining meaningful engagement with schools and learners during uncertain times.
As with any long-term initiative, change is inevitable and with it comes the loss of valued team members whose passion and expertise helped shape Academy9 from the beginning. Although these team members have moved on to new opportunities, challenges (and retirement bliss), their contributions live on in the Academy9 legacy.
However, we have been lucky to have equally as passionate members join the team, each with their own unique and valuable skills, opening doors to new collaborations and fresh perspectives, helping the programme to grow and evolve in unexpected ways.
Looking Ahead
As we look to the future, Academy9 is poised to continue evolving. With emerging technologies, shifting educational priorities, and an ever-growing emphasis on sustainability and inclusion, the programme is well-positioned to continue our strong partnership with our schools to lead the way. The journey so far has been inspiring, and the road ahead promises an even greater impact.
Together, we’ll continue to build a legacy.
