THE construction of a new £14 million Eastwood Health and Care Centre in Clarkston is creating job opportunities for the local community.
Morgan Sindall plc is working with hub West Scotland, East Renfrewshire Council and NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde on a “targeted employment and skills programme” to deliver jobs, apprenticeships, work experience and other training opportunities.
Collaborating with local employability partner, WorkER, seven new jobs and three new apprenticeship opportunities have already been created. The roles range from from cleaning and labouring positions, to joiners, trainee construction technicians and quantity surveyors.
Euan Thomson (18) from Renfrewshire started a traineeship in quantity surveying with Morgan Sindall in June. Based at the Eastwood project, he works on site four days a week mentored by a senior commercial manager, and attends university one day per week to pursue a degree in quantity surveying.
Euan said, “I have been really interested in a career in construction since I was in the fourth year at school. Originally, I thought I wanted to do construction management but during my HNC in construction I realised I was much more suited to the commercial aspects: I really like the problem solving. When I saw the trainee quantity surveyor position advertised on WorkER’s website, I went for it as it looked like a good opportunity to get some real experience with a large contractor.”
Harry Thorburn, Morgan Sindall’s managing director for Scotland added, “We recognise the need to offer real benefits to the communities in which we work, beyond the projects that we deliver. We are delighted to be able to support employment and training opportunities through the Eastwood Health and Care Centre project and it is particularly encouraging to see people like Euan coming through the ranks and pursuing a career in the industry.”
When the building is complete in March next year, Eastwood Health and Care Centre will house a range of medical and social care services for the residents of Clarkston.
