Class acts learn new work skills
A group of young men are celebrating after successfully completing an intensive six-week training programme to learn vital workplace skills.
The Construction Skills Academy put ten young men through a training programme to develop skills in construction work, and is Perth’s first project funded by the European Social Fund.
The men were trained up by JB Safesite and received hands-on experience with Balfour Beatty on the Perth Transport Futures Project in Hungtingtower and the Almondbank Flood Protection Scheme.
One of the men on the skills academy course was 26-year-old Richard Axford from Perth, who said:“This opportunity could not have come at a better time for me. Having a newborn has motivated me to grasp the opportunity, hopefully leading to full-time employment.”
Fellow class-mate 19-year-old Kyle Burns added:“The programme has been hugely enjoyable, but most importantly has given me the confidence to get into work, it is my ambition to progress in the industry and make the most of this opportunity.
“I have recently moved to Perth from Auchterarder with my girlfriend, and have a baby on the way. I was inspired by a family background in construction and my brother who recently completed a similar scheme and now works with Kilmac.”
The men have now all been registered on the Construction Skills Comptency Scheme, a national scheme to recognise industry standards of safety in construction.
The training programme was led by Ewan Begg, who said:“It was the perfect blend of learning and experience to develop skills and qualifications. The guys have all put in a great effort to achieve the qualifications they have, but more importantly they have all worked hard at applying and developing their new skills while on site, learning the real important skills of commitment, enthusiasm and getting up in the morning.”
The men all attended a presentation ceremony with their families at Perth and Kinross Council’s Civic Hall, and are now looking towards being interviewed by Balfour Beatty for positions on the Almondbank Flood Protection Scheme and the Perth Transport Futures Programme.