The Connaught Training Academy in Glasgow's East End has placed nine previously unemployed young men in full time employment as a result of their cladding training with the Academy.

The trainees undertook 12 weeks of training with refurbishment and maintenance specialist Connaught, in partnership with Skill to Build, John Wheatley College, the Glasgow East Regeneration Agency (GERA) and Scottish Enterprise Glasgow. The course involved five weeks of on-the-job training with Connaught, working at projects through out the city, before achieving full time employment with a variety of companies.

The programme was a great success for all partners and trainees and is the second time the Connaught Training Academy has been used to assist people who are long term unemployed into jobs.

David Barnes, 28, had been unemployed for six months after being made redundant from his position as a car valet. David was keen to get a job in the refurbishment and maintenance industry but with no relevant qualifications he was struggling to get a foot in the door.

He approached GERA and through them was put in touch with a Construction Mentor from Skill to Build, progressed onto the Skill to Build External Wall Insulation Programme and started training with John Wheatley College where he qualified for the cladding traineeship.

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David said: "The 12 weeks of tuition at the Connaught Training Academy gave me real skills to do the job and knowing that there was the possibility of a full time position at the end of it kept me motivated throughout the course.

"I've been employed now for a good few weeks and the job is going well; every day is different and while the course gave me the basic skills needed I’m still learning a huge amount actually doing the job."

The project, which was funded by Scottish Enterprise Glasgow, was in line with identified skills gaps in the marketplace and allowed people entering training the security of a job interview and help in finding employment on completion, either with Connaught or a company relevant to their new skills base.

Alan Johnston, Connaught Community Training and Regeneration Manager, said: "Connaught is committed to working with partners in the area to ensure that local unemployed people are being equipped with the correct skills for employment in the refurbishment and maintenance industry.

"While some of the trainees are offered employment with Connaught, we also work with other companies to help find jobs for those we cannot accommodate.

"The training in this instance has been specifically focused on cladding but the course also helps to equip these men with skills such as time management, demonstrating commitment, customer service capabilities and working as part of a team which are invaluable in increasing their employability."

Of the nine completing the cladding course, three have been employed by Connaught, with three gaining employment with a local cladding contractor and the remaining three securing jobs with the roads department.

Assistant principal at John Wheatley College, Alan Inglis, said: "The College is delighted at the success of the cladding programme as this, once again, reinforces the value of working in partnership to achieve the best results for trainees. The on-the-job training with Connaught has proved to be a key element of the project and we are very pleased to be involved in this."

(GK/JM)