Scotland's skills and training minister has presented City Building Glasgow with a historic accolade for developing its young workforce.

City Building is the first ever construction firm, and only the fourth business in Scotland, to achieve the Investor in Young People (IYP) Platinum accreditation.

The new Platinum award is the highest level that can be attained within the acclaimed (IYP) training and development framework. It was launched to encourage employers to prioritise areas including mental health, financial wellbeing, fair work practices and meta skills.

City Building, which has more than 2,000 staff, is Scotland's largest employer of apprentices with around 200 apprentices on its books. It is also the industry's largest employer of female craft trade apprentices, and it has one of the highest pass-out rates for apprentices at 94%.

In recognition of the firm's success, Jamie Hepburn, MSP, Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training Minister visited the business to present its with its latest accreditation and meet with some of its young people.

Minister for Higher Education and Further Education, Youth Employment and Training, Jamie Hepburn MSP said: "At a time where we are facing a skills shortage across the construction industry it has never been more important to invest in growing a skilled staff base.

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"Apprenticeships are a core part of our skills system, supporting people of all ages into high quality and rewarding careers. It is great to see Scotland's largest construction employer being celebrated for its work in investing in training and development of its staff.

"The Scottish Government will continue to work closely with the industry to ensure we can meet the needs of our future businesses."

As part of his visit the minister received a tour of the firm's new apprentice training college, which is under construction and will be completed in June. The sustainable building incorporates a range of energy efficient technologies, installed by City Building staff – including apprentices – to help upskill its workforce in renewables.

Bernadette Hewitt, Chair, City Building (Glasgow) LLP, said: "It was a privilege to welcome the Skills Minister to City Building and show him around the firm's fantastic new college. Our staff were thrilled to meet him and discuss their careers.

"Securing this accreditation is a real boost for City Building and will help to showcase the opportunities within the business to young people considering the construction industry."

In a report, Investors in Young People praised the firm for its training and development of its young workforce. It said: "Young People are at the heart of City Building and continue to be at the centre of your future plans; you passionately believe in 'growing your own' to develop Young People.

"As the largest construction craft apprenticeship provider in Scotland, you are a leading ambassador for attracting, recruiting, developing and retaining Young People. Young People in Glasgow regard you as their employer of choice for seeking a craft or admin apprenticeship because they are aware of your commitment to develop and retain Young People and offer fair work practices. Your commitment to create 2,000 new craft apprentices over the next 30 years and to make an annual commitment to recruit 60 apprentices is commendable."

Commenting on the report, Bernadette added: "One thing the report highlighted which is really important to City Building is how committed our leadership team is to apprenticeships, in no small part because so many of them started their own careers in this way. Their success provides motivation across the business that you can progress your career to the highest levels with the right skills and training, and of course hard work.

"Equally the praise for our award-winning training academy was a huge honour.

"Our trainers are some of the very best in the country and we pride ourselves on continually improving the skills set of our workforce."