Maree Todd, the SNP MSP for the Highlands and Islands region, recently visited Kier Construction’s Highland base to hear about the local projects the firm is delivering and to discuss the industry’s role in attracting more youngsters into the sector.
Kier recently completed the £14 million community centre and primary school campus at Caol in Fort William for The Highland Council and has just been appointed to deliver a £500,000 backlog maintenance contract at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness through the Scape National Minor Works Framework for NHS Highland.
The business is also expanding Inverness Airport’s passenger lounges, as well delivering a £7 million programme of council house heating and general maintenance upgrades for The Highland Council and a £750,000 similar programme of work for The Moray Council.
Gordon Reid, Kier Construction Scotland’s business development manager said, “Our office in Inverness continues to perform well and we have secured a solid pipeline of activity throughout the Highlands. The construction sector is thriving in Scotland but many young people are overlooking the wealth of career opportunities such as engineering, architecture, planning and much more that this sector offers and this is adding to the skills shortage problem that the industry faces. Kier is working to address this in a number of ways, including carrying out a series of careers fairs throughout Scotland to inform and inspire more young people to consider a role in this hugely rewarding, diverse and thriving sector.”
Maree Todd MSP said, “I really enjoyed hearing about the diverse range of construction work that Kier is carrying out in the highlands and across Scotland. Importantly, I’m pleased to hear about Kier’s commitment to tackling the skills shortage facing Scotland’s construction industry and their vision and plans to encourage more young people to work in this flourishing sector.”
