Glasgow Chamber of Commerce has been shortlisted for the Skills Impact Award at BE-ST's Accelerate to Net Zero Awards, acknowledging three linked initiatives that aim to expand and diversify the talent pipeline for Scotland's built environment: Construction Aware, GROW and yattle.

The drive to create a zero-carbon built environment relies on people, yet young candidates can face obstacles at every stage — from limited awareness of career options and restricted access to employers and meaningful experience, to recruitment practices that are not tailored to first-time entrants. Working with employers, educators, communities and young people, the Chamber developed these programmes to address those barriers and build a joined-up route from awareness to employment.

Construction Aware moves learning beyond the classroom and onto active construction sites. Around 300 pupils from 24 secondary schools have taken part, meeting employers and gaining direct insight into the sector. Participants finish with SCQF Level 3 NPA credits, a CSCS card and a work experience qualification, creating a recognised bridge into further learning and work.

Developed with construction firms, training providers and education partners to reflect real labour demand, the curriculum introduces emerging areas such as retrofit, Passivhaus and modern methods of construction, helping young people understand how the industry is changing and its central role in achieving net zero.

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GROW recognises that knowing opportunities exist is only the start; building confidence, skills and networks is equally vital. As one of Scotland's most ambitious employer engagement programmes, it links around 250 employers with more than 700 young people across the Glasgow City Region, delivering over 40,000 hours of direct interaction. Designed by Glasgow Chamber and backed by investment from JPMorgan Chase, it focuses on young people from SIMD 1 and 2 postcodes who are often furthest from opportunity.

GROW's impact extends to a just transition: a net zero economy must be inclusive if employers are to access the skills they need. By addressing barriers linked to poverty, limited networks and reduced access to jobs, it helps ensure future roles are open to all, regardless of background. After Phase 1, 95% of participants felt confident they understood different types of jobs, 90% reported learning what skills employers look for and 69% felt clearer about their future direction. Following Phase 2 placements, every respondent reported a better understanding of employer expectations and 95% felt better prepared for the workplace.

Yattle tackles the practical hurdles that can exclude young applicants — complex forms, CV requirements and inaccessible job descriptions — by enabling a more accessible, inclusive recruitment process. In a campaign with City Building, Scotland's largest provider of construction apprenticeships, yattle generated a record 980 apprenticeship applications, almost double the previous year and the highest in the organisation's history. Applications from women rose by 116% and from ethnic minority candidates by 43%, taking ethnic minority candidates to 15.6% of the applicant pool.

Individually, each programme delivers tangible results; together, they create a connected pathway from awareness to employment. Young people gain early exposure to construction careers, build confidence through meaningful engagement with employers and ultimately access opportunities via a recruitment platform designed around their needs. Employers benefit from a larger, more diverse and better-informed talent pool.

The combined effect is a scalable model that tackles systemic barriers, supports social inclusion and helps build the skilled workforce required to accelerate the decarbonisation of Scotland's built environment. By bringing employers, educators, communities and young people together, Glasgow Chamber is fostering future skills and contributing to a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient construction sector.

Employers across the Glasgow City Region can host a Construction Aware visit, join the businesses already engaged with GROW, or advertise apprenticeship and entry-level roles through yattle. Contact [email protected] to learn more.