Crucial training at Perth Concert Hall

More than 200 people who have recently been hired to manufacture crucial components for coronavirus tests will be trained at Perth Concert Hall after it received accreditation for its safety set-up.

Horsecross celebrated recognition for its pandemic safety measures, which have allowed it to host the training of hundreds of ThermoFisher Scientific new-starts, brought in to help make sample tubes in coronavirus tests.

The multinational firm announced a major jobs boost for Perth last month and hiring is under way as part of ThermoFisher’s investment to scale up production in Perth to more than eight million filled tubes per week.

Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre’s Covid-19 procedures have been certified by the We’re Good To Go! industry standard.

This has allowed Perth Concert Hall to host the global science firm as it expands in the city.

Stewart Blair, European director of prepared media operations and site leader for Thermo Fisher Scientific, said: “The staff have been meticulous at planning for C ovid -19 safety and have ensured our onboarding events have gone flawlessly.

“In addition to the concert hall’ s existing robust controls, we have added our own thermal screening on entry and mask and sanitiser stations to ensure the safety of all.

“With exclusive use of the entire venue and the 1,200 seat auditorium for the presentations, it is a great environment to run Covid-19 safe induction training.”

Nick Williams, chief executive of Perth Concert Hall and Perth Theatre, said: “Our certification is an endorsement of all the hard work that the team has put in to ensure our Covid-19 procedures are robust and effective, and we are delighted in the confidence that ThermoFisher has shown in our measures. It’s great that when we’re eventually allowed to welcome audiences back we’ ll be good to go.”

The accreditation also allows Horsecross to host streamed performances by Scottish Chamber Orchestra and Scottish Ensemble.

Rehearsals are also under way in Perth Theatre for the arts body’s online pantomime, Oh Yes We Are!

Picture by Mhairi Edwards. RARING TO GO: From left, John Pike, Perth Concert Hall’s head of technical services; Nick Williams; Steven Pearson, hospitality manager; and Stewart Blair, of Thermo Fisher.