The first students from a new programme designed to help young, unemployed people into work within the construction industry have graduated, Homes For Scotland has said.

A total of 14 young people took part in the five-week pilot course, Get Into Home Building, at Edinburgh College, where they learned a range of skills and disciplines, such as brickwork, carpentry, painting and decorating, and plastering. They were also able to gain some hands-on experience with some of the leading homebuilders in Scotland.

In addition to acquiring valuable site knowledge, the students also CSCS site safety cards as well as wider training to help improve communication, reliability, teamwork and CV/interview skills.

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Each student successfully completed the course, with seven already securing a job or a full apprenticeship, while others are continuing to work with programme partners or considering their choices.

Sandy Adam, Chair of Homes for Scotland, said: "Home building is a major employer with each home built estimated to directly support two jobs and every nine homes built one apprenticeship. However, skill shortages are proving a major barrier to the industry's ability to increase production as the economy and housing market recover.

"Given the success of this pilot programme, it has the potential to be rolled out across the country and help attract the young people our industry requires to develop skills and deliver the many thousands of homes Scotland needs."

Congratulating the graduates, Housing and Welfare Minister Margaret Burgess said: "Housing is, and will remain, a priority for this Government which is why I am delighted to see the success of this pilot project and I congratulate everyone involved, especially the students on their graduation today.

"I hope they are now encouraged to go on and have a fulfilling career in the home building industry. Increasing skills provision is one of the ways that can help us build the homes Scotland needs. This initiative is an important step in that direction."

(JP/MH)