The Courier & Advertiser (Perth and Perthshire Edition)
Dundee businessman sets up skills academy
ADundee businessman who owned a painting and decorating businesses formed a skills academy to give back to the city.
Alexander Community Development (ACD) was founded last year by John Alexander.
It offers engaging workbased learning to young people, ultimately providing a realistic and effective career path for young people with an interest in gaining a trade.
John said the operation had gone from strength to strength.
He said: “I am a painter and decorator to trade. I have owned my company, Alexander Decorators, for almost 20 years, which at its peak employed more than 40 staff.
“I have been passionate about training up our young people for many years.
“This is something I have done with my own workforce for a number of years, so I am ready to now roll this out across the city.”
ACD currently has three main areas of operation.
The first is a Transition To Trade programme, which is a work- based learning placement providing multiple qualifications for participants.
It is delivered over a sixweek period for pupils of Dundee, Perth and Angus high schools and a bespoke four-week programme for agencies such as Jobcentre.
The second is a Trades For All programme offering opportunities for retired tradesmen/women to give back through carrying out trade work to the third sector and share their skills with future generations.
While the third is a food distribution service which works with Dundee City Council, food banks and charities by taking delivery, organising and distributing food and key items to Dundee’s most vulnerable.
The first Transition To Trade group finished its programme at the end of last month.
ACD operations manager Kara Swankie said: “With all the uncertainty going on in the world, we feel incredibly lucky have had the opportunity to begin upskilling and training our workforce of tomorrow.
“ACD has developed an innovative programme, which will create a positive pathway for individuals into the construction industry.
“One of the aims of this programme is to remove some of the barriers that young people frequently face, such as not having the required qualifications, or experiencing challenging home circumstances.
“Throughout the four weeks, candidates built their knowledge in general workplace health and safety, as well as developing their practical skills in painting and decorating. This led to the candidates gaining qualifications, which will allow them to go directly into employment.”
ACD currently has a team of four employees, plus three volunteers and a board of six.
It works with many organisations, and funding comes from income generated through Trades For All, as well as from private funders and grant makers, trusts and sponsorships.
John said the success to date of ACD had exceeded his expectations.
He added: “This idea has been in my head for years and I am delighted to finally see it coming to fruition.”
When asked about the effect of coronavirus on ACD’s work, he said: “We live by our motto – no problems, only solutions.
“Instead of allowing Covid-19 to ruin our plans, we have just pivoted into offering services such as food distribution.”
Kara added: “Why sit back and watch your hard work crumble around you, when you could adapt and flex?”
Plans are being drawn up for a new headquarters building for ACD, and the enterprise also has ambitions to expand its work outwith Dundee in the years ahead.