FIVE young people have started full-time careers in the construction industry after completing a four-week ‘Youthbuild’ course and two-week work placement, facilitated by GRAHAM and Action for Children.
The Youthbuild programme, devised by Action for Children, encourages 16–24-year-olds in Glasgow and Edinburgh who have faced barriers entering employment to have a career in construction.
GRAHAM provided a two-week placement, with participants working on sites to help develop their learning and gain practical experience. On completion of the course, each participant gained a total of nine accredited certificates, including health and safety, asbestos awareness, manual handling and working at height.
Thomas Rand (23) from Edinburgh has been offered a permanent role at GRAHAM on the Westfield Road student accommodation project. He said, “This has been a brilliant experience and opportunity for me. I’ve been able to get comfortable learning the basics of construction whilst being supported in a small group setting in the training centre and on site. The team I’ve been working with have made me feel more confident and I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to be taken on to the next step in my career.”
Paul Dickson (18) from Edinburgh also completed the programme and has secured a permanent position at GRAHAM working on the Gorgie Road student accommodation development. He added, “After gaining hands-on experience and qualifications from the Youthbuild course and work placement, I am really pleased to be able to put the knowledge and skills I’ve learned to good use in my new role at GRAHAM. I’m really looking forward to finding my niche and working my way up.”
Suzanne Stevenson, social impact advisor at GRAHAM, said, “There are a number of young people across Scotland who face a variety of obstacles preventing them from achieving their full potential. Initiatives like Youthbuild provide a crucial platform to breakdown those barriers and showcase just how rewarding and varied a career in construction can be.
“We continue to provide as many opportunities for young people as possible, through our apprenticeship schemes and funding their education. It has been a pleasure to watch the group progress throughout the programme and offer each of them full-time positions. We look forward to supporting them in their new role at GRAHAM.”
