North Lanarkshire Council has announced ambitious plans to establish a new construction skills academy.

The development would involve partnerships between the council, employers and further education and skills providers.

Des Murray, Chief Executive of North Lanarkshire Council said: "This is exiting news, which will benefit so many young people who live in our area. We'll now work on developing the best model and funding arrangement to support this work.

"The academy will provide young people with much-needed skills within the construction industry with which they can lay the foundations to successful long-lasting and rewarding careers."

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In addition to the development of the construction and health and social care academies, the council has also developed a new NL Employer accreditation scheme.

The scheme will see the creation and ongoing support of a network of employers across North Lanarkshire, with the goal that both employers and employees should benefit as the economy grows.

Des Murray explained: "We'll work closely with businesses and organisations to learn from them and to help them to change the North Lanarkshire labour market profile.

"This involves supporting growth, developing positive outcomes, supporting access to appropriately qualified employees, and reducing levels of unemployment.

"North Lanarkshire has one of the fastest growing economies in the country and we're determined to build on this success through reducing economic inactivity and building a workforce for the future to benefit individuals, families and communities across our area."

Employers achieving the highest level of accreditation would be seen as having a strategic level of engagement with high participation and contribution to the labour market, possibly as part of one of the new academy programmes.

The decisions were approved at a meeting of the council's Policy and Strategy Committee on Thursday 17 March 2022.