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Lovell is helping two local young people in West Lothian to build a bright future in the construction industry.
Fraser Gunn and Mark Brown, who are both aged 17, have been appointed as apprentice joiners and will be working on Lovell’s West Lothian Council Framework Agreement project.
The new recruits have been taken on as part of Lovell’s pledge to employ 50 local people and 10 apprentices on the scheme. In addition to on-the-job training for two years, Fraser and Mark are attending West Lothian College, Livingston to further their skills by studying for an SVQ Level 3.
Alan Taylor, regional director at Lovell, said: "It’s fantastic to see local, young people learning and thriving within the construction industry. We truly believe in trying to make a difference to people’s lives and by helping our apprentices gain practical skills."
The apprenticeships will be jointly managed and mentored by Lovell and ConstructionSkills Scotland - the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for construction, which assists companies in the management, training and funding of apprentices and has been working with the industry to attract new talent into the sector.
ConstructionSkills Scotland has supported Lovell throughout the apprenticeship recruitment process, ensuring that apprentices of a high calibre are recruited.
Fraser Gunn from Linlithgow said: "I’m really enjoying working at Lovell, and it has been an ambition of mine to train as a joiner for a while. Doing an apprenticeship is a great way of getting some experience while studying, so you get the best of both worlds."
The West Lothian Council Framework Agreement project involves Lovell designing and building 545 new homes for social rent, in a project worth £45 million. The homes will be constructed on eight sites across West Lothian including Armadale, Bathgate, Blackburn, Livingston, Uphall Station and Whitburn.
Executive councillor for services for the community, Frank Anderson, commented: "This is great news and exactly the employment benefits that were hoped for from the new council house building programme. I would like to congratulate Fraser and Mark on their appointments and wish them well in the future."
(GK)
