Jobs boost for young people at National Apprenticeship Week
ONE of Scotland’s largest construction companies will launch dozens of new job opportunities this week as part of National Apprentice Week.
City Building will this week announce 60 new apprenticeships for people across Glasgow .
The company currently run on of the UK’s largest apprenticeship programmes, as well as a successful training college, Queenslie.
Dr Graham Paterson, executive director at City Building said: “Since taking up leadership of City Building, one of the things I have been most proud of is the success of our apprenticeship programme.
“City Building is one of the biggest employers of apprentices in Scotland, supporting around 300 people through training at any one time.
“When they first come through our doors at Queenslie Training Centre, many of them are just young boys and girls who are not long out of school.
They are usually excited about, and slightly daunted by, the path ahead of them.
“At City Building, we have the pleasure of watching these young people grow up to become mature, consciences, and successful adults.
“To be a part of this journey is really something special.”
City Building has provided a total of 1222 apprenticeships since 2006, with around 70 per cent of those completing their time-served finding work with the company.
One of the most successful in the UK, around 94 per cent of those who start their apprenticeship training complete this, compared with an industry average of 75 per cent.
The company also prides itself on representation of women in apprenticeships.
Of all craft trade apprenticeships in the whole of Scotland, City Building employs 20 per cent of the total.
The company are also partnered with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Glasgow, who hope to create links between business and reduce youth unemployment by as much as 40 per cent by 2021.
Alison McRae, senior director of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, which hosts DYW Glasgow, said: “City Building has consistently demonstrated great commitment to working with Glasgow’s young people to provide opportunities to learn, develop skills and get involved.
“It is exactly the kind of good practice we encourage businesses to adopt as many already do through our Developing Young Workforce Glasgow ambition.
“Apprenticeships are greatly beneficial to employers and young people alike, and enrich our city’s workforce, while developing the next generation of its business community.”
National Apprenticeship Week takes place between March 4 and 9.
This celebration of apprenticeships will bring the whole community together to celebrate the impact of these roles on individuals, employers and the economy.
For those interested in the new roles with City Building, taster sessions will be taking place at Queenslie Training College in Cranhill.