CK Contracts has created 10 full-time jobs through its inaugural Skills Academy in North Ayrshire, successfully addressing local unemployment while filling critical gaps in the rail and civil engineering sectors.

The Ayrshire-based firm delivered the programme in partnership with North Ayrshire Council and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), with training facilitated by QTS Training. The intensive 10-week course combined classroom learning with hands-on site experience to prepare participants for long-term careers.

The programme saw significant interest, with over 70 applicants. Of the 12 candidates selected for the January 2026 launch, 10 successfully completed the academy and have now secured permanent civil engineering roles within the rail sector. This local cohort will contribute to vital infrastructure projects delivered through the North Ayrshire Council framework.

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Participants gained a wide range of accredited competencies, including:

– Health and safety

– Track safety

– Site operations

– General employability skills

Kris Kinnear, Managing Director at CK Contracts, said: "We pride ourselves in creating sustainable employment opportunities for local people and those interested in building a career in the rail industry – this academy represents a significant step in that commitment. It's vital that we continue to introduce and support new talent into the sector, and this programme has given participants the skills, experience and confidence to get a strong start."

Lorna Gibson, Training Director at QTS Training, noted the effectiveness of the partnership model in opening doors for residents, while Laura Neill from North Ayrshire Council praised the achievement of securing meaningful employment for local people.

The initiative also received support from Siemens Mobility, a long-term partner of CK Contracts. Campbell Braid, Operations Director for Siemens Mobility, added: "It is great to see the trust and faith we have in them being translated into sustainable jobs for tomorrow's generation of talent."

CK Contracts intends to establish the Skills Academy as a long-term investment, with plans already in place to continue the programme and support the next generation of skilled workers in the local economy.