PARTNERSHIP housing provider Lovell has been offering trainees from across Glasgow the opportunity to gain hands-on experience at a building site in Bathgate.
Lovell welcomed the groups to its Wester Inch development where it is currently building 86 new homes on behalf of West Lothian Council. The trips were organised by First Steps Future Training, a charity that provides young people with construction training and qualifications with the aim of securing work in the future.
Young people participating in the programme receive training at First Steps Future Training’s centre in the east end of Glasgow before undertaking work placements and site visits with construction employers such as Lovell.
The site visits, led by First Steps Future Training’s John Donnelly and George Bruce, were organised in a bid to offer participants a first-hand look at what is involved in working on a construction site and speak with workers about their day-to-day experiences.
During the visit, the trainees met with Lovell site manager Jim Logan, assistant site manager Kevin Mullen and training advisor Kelly Harkness. Jim explained the different stages of a house build, from the floor slab stage to the kit erection stage to the brickwork stage, concluding with a tour inside a house that was approaching completion.
He commented, “It was a pleasure to meet the young people from First Steps Future Training and to show them first-hand the work that is currently being undertaken by our team at the Wester Inch development.
“We hope they enjoyed their visit and have gained valuable insight into careers in construction and the wide range of skills that are needed on a modern building site. On behalf of everyone at Lovell, we wish them the very best of luck for their training and future careers.”
George Bruce, operations manager with First Steps Future Training added, “It was fantastic for our up-and-coming young apprentices to visit the Lovell site to see the different stages of a build. We appreciate the time Jim Logan spent with the groups to explain how the site operates and for Kelly Harkness and Kevin Mullen for giving them a tour of the site.
“All our learners had a great time and the visit gave them an insight into what to expect as they start their journey as apprentice construction workers. First Steps would like to thank all staff on the Lovell site. It was an enjoyable day for all involved and we look forward to the next visit with our new learners.”
