KR Group strive to educate throughout COVID-19 pandemic

Throughout the setbacks of lockdown, KR Group Scotland, a local steel, cladding and project management solutions business have continued to support education through working with schools, colleges, and universities to educate and inspire young people.

Whilst providing a broad range of construction services on a national level, Aberdeenshire based KR Group not only provide support and development within schools but have given young people the opportunity to safely visit construction sites. These opportunities have been beneficial to give students a real-world insight into construction projects.

Nicola Fraser, Business Director at KR Group, is a STEM ambassador for construction who is passionate about engaging young people and advocating for education in the industry,

“It has been challenging to sustain our ability to provide education and opportunities to young people where we can throughout 2020 and now into 2021 but we have found many creative means and I am proud of my team who have got on board to enable us to provide meaningful experiences in a more creative way. We are always hopeful that our young people will move on with more skills and confidence than they arrived with and that we have managed to ignite a spark.”

Over the years, and most notably during the pandemic, KR Group have strived to do this by providing valuable career mentoring in universities and schools, attending career days, taking on work experience students, supporting work-related learning in schools such as the Collaborative Strategic Partnership with Ellon Academy and Developing Young Workforce, supporting Barnardo’s Works program and being involved sponsors and mentors of young people at events like Build Your Future.

The company have not stopped there, providing part-time opportunities for young people, and ensuring the creation of trainee positions to skill up and educate new workers. Providing opportunity to young people as well as educating them is a strong part of their family-run, community ethos. Recently, they welcomed Sarah Millar, a student at Robert Gordon University studying a Masters in International Marketing. Sarah joined KR Group as a part-time Marketing Assistant and had this to say about her experience,

“I had never considered the construction industry as a potential area to seek a marketing job within until I started working part-time at KR Group. Working for KR Group has changed my perspective of the industry and has provided me with invaluable skills and knowledge for the future and for my course at university, as well as showing me the endless opportunities and roles that the industry can provide.”

KR Group are also currently hosting two Business Foundation Apprentices (from Aboyne Academy) and hosted one last year in Accounting from Mackie Academy, as one of the few companies to commit to this programme during the pandemic. The team have been supporting the FA’s virtually to provide them with training, experience, and insight into the many facets of the construction industry.

As well as working externally with young people, KR Group also strive to nurture their staff – team members receive extensive CPD training and are supported with their learning and development goals, from attending training courses to in-house work experience.

Despite KR Group’s national growth, busy work schedules and the Covid-19 pandemic, it shines through that people are and will always be at the heart of their business. While in-person events are currently on hold, the company will continue to adapt and overcome to provide support to young people in the North-East.

If you would like to know more about KR Group, please visit www.krgrp.co.uk or contact them on 01358 788907.