School Projects Provide Modern Apprentice Boost
Six modern apprentices have been recruited to work on three multi-million pounds schools projects in Inverclyde.
Hub West Scotland (HWS) is working in partnership with Inverclyde Council on the new £9.2 million St Ninian’s Primary and £2.6 million Glenpark Early Learning Centre and the £5 million refurbishment of Moorfoot Primary.
As part of each project, the main contractor CCG has been looking to create employment opportunities for local young people.
Apprentice plumber Lauren McKenna (17) from Greenock took part in the Inverclyde Engineering Plus Partnership programme where school pupils receive a mix of classroom-based learning, vocational training and industry work placements.
She said: "I am very excited to have started my apprenticeship with CCG. I was attracted to construction because of the skills that you can learn and the variety of projects that you can be involved in. Plumbing is a hands-on trade but I am looking forward to the challenges it will present as I take my first steps in my career."
Education & Communities Convener Councillor Jim Clocherty said: “Our £270 million investment in our school estate has continued to deliver job and training opportunities for local young people. It is vital that when we are investing in the fabric of our education we also provide the platform for them to gain experience and employment. We have an innovative and exciting programme of vocational and work experience-based projects in our schools and this is an example of how all of that work is paying off.”
All of the apprentices were recruited through Inverclyde Community Development Trust with many coming through their Youth Employment Initiative or the Future Jobs Inverclyde employability programmes
Trust CEO Jim Bristow said: “We have had a great deal of success delivering opportunities for local young people through the Youth Employment Initiative and Future Jobs Inverclyde employability programmes. Our young clients are either engaged in a range of pre-vocational and personal development courses or employed directly by the Trust on community based construction, site clearance and landscaping projects. We will continue to work hard towards giving young people every opportunity they need.”
Hub West Scotland CEO, Iain Marley said: “We are proud to work with our partners to maximise opportunities for the residents of Inverclyde. The creation of apprenticeship opportunities is fundamental to delivering meaningful community benefits as part of our core service for our public sector partners”
CCG Chairman and CEO, Alastair Wylie, said: “The CCG Group has a year-on-year commitment to trade apprenticeships and training. Five bricklayers, six plumbers, seven joiners, three electricians and a heating engineer have been positioned across various companies from within CCG Group who will all undertake a 4-year intensive, high-quality programme. This now takes the number of apprentices employed by CCG to 70, representing over 10% of our workforce.
“Skills replenishment is fundamental to the long term success of our industry and we are delighted to partner with Inverclyde Council and hub West Scotland to bring opportunities to the Inverclyde region.”
Photograph: (L-R) Matthew Skilling, Liam Gill, Kieran Hendry, Iain Marley, CEO Hub West Scotland, Theresa Cunningham, Operations Manager-Employer Engagement, The Trust, Derek Gall, Contracts Manager, CCG, Councillor Jim Clocherty, John Jamieson, Site Manager, CCG, Shaun Knox, Lauren McKenna, Robert Cairns.
Apprentices:
Matthew Skilling (20) Greenock, Bricklaying
Liam Gill (18) Greenock, Bricklaying
Kieran Hendry (18) Greenock, Joinery
Shaun Knox (24) Greenock, Joinery
Lauren McKenna (17) Greenock, Plumbing
Robert Cairns (23) Port Glasgow, Plumbing