Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, today announced that the authority's arm's-length construction company is to take on 140 new apprentices.

Despite difficult market conditions and a downturn in the economy, City Building (Glasgow) LLP has secured work and funding to increase the intake on last year’s figure of 106, representing a rise of almost 40%.

They will be trained by City Building, in conjunction with a number of partners including Glasgow Community Planning, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and Glasgow Works.

The apprenticeships will consist of mainly joiners, plumbers, electricians and painters, with additional specialist trades, for example lift and heating engineers.

They will be trained in City Building's award winning Queenslie Training Centre where over 500 apprentices are trained every year for the public and private sector.

-- Advertisement --

Councillor Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: "The apprenticeship scheme is about giving people the skills to find work and fulfilling their aspirations for a brighter future.

"There is £4.5bn of construction work under way or planned in Glasgow and our apprenticeship scheme and other measures we are taking will leave the city extremely well-placed.

"We are tailoring the apprenticeship places to fit the demands of employers in the city. Due to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, the M74 completion and other regeneration projects there is huge demand in the construction sector, as well as the retail, hospitality and tourism industries."

Willie Docherty, Managing Director, City Building, said: "We have first class facilities here at Queenslie and we would encourage any company which could give employment to a young person as an apprentice to contact us and we will arrange the training and support required."

City Building was overwhelmed with applications for construction apprenticeships and this year was no different. Despite a low-key advertising campaign, around 1400 applications were received - which is 10 young people for every job available.

Steve Kelly, City Building’s Director of Corporate Services, believes that the investment in Glasgow’s young people will allow them to take advantage and provide employment opportunities in the long term.

He said: "The construction industry must look towards the future - while no company will be sheltered from the current downturn, a skilled workforce will be required when the situation improves."

(GK/JM)