Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, supported by Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Glasgow, has launched the third phase of its industry-led Construction Aware programme following a £3,000 investment from delivery partner RJ McLeod.

The firm is the first business to invest directly in the initiative, which has now supported more than 350 young people and aims to extend its impact across the Glasgow City Region beyond its initial three-year cycle.

The programme was created to address low interest in construction careers amid rising demand for skilled workers. The Construction Industry Training Board forecasts Scotland needs an additional 3,590 construction workers each year through to 2029, while Glasgow City Council’s education team found only 93 of 1,700 pupils surveyed expressed interest in the sector.

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Building on earlier success that helped more than 320 secondary pupils gain qualifications and credits at SCQF level 3/5, the third phase introduces work placements. These give employers a direct route to identify emerging talent early and help close skills gaps across the industry.

Co-designed with industry and young people — including Robertson Construction, McTaggart Construction, CCG, A.C. Whyte, Sibbald, RJ McLeod, COWI and Glasgow Education Services — the programme has seen 45 employers deliver 253 sessions totalling over 1,000 hours of employer-led activity. It has also produced resources and lesson plans tailored to recruitment and skills challenges.

Participants take part in site visits, design challenges and employer-led sessions, spanning traditional trades and newer approaches such as retrofitting, Passivhaus and modern methods of construction.

Alison McRae, senior director at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: "Construction Aware is proving that when businesses engage early, they can change perceptions, open doors and build a stronger talent pipeline for the future. The programme has already helped hundreds of young people gain qualifications and experience the breadth of opportunities available in construction, while giving business a direct role in developing the workforce they need.

"RJ McLeod's investment sets an important precedent for business backing this co-designed model. As we enter the third phase, we are bringing together more partners and investors to secure the long-term future of Construction Aware and extend its impact across the Glasgow City Region."