GRAHAM has pledged to support Scottish youngsters in establishing a career in construction.
The firm has joined the Young Person’s Guarantee (YPG). The £60 million Scottish Government initiative brings together employers, partners, and young people across the country.
In addition to the existing apprenticeship and training opportunities at GRAHAM, including its dedicated GRAHAM Academy Scotland, the firm said it joined the YPG to underline its commitment to supporting youngsters whilst future-proofing skills needed in the construction industry.
GRAHAM will now work alongside Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) Edinburgh, Midlothian and East Lothian; DYW Glasgow; DYW Fife; DYW North East; and Action for Children to establish partnerships which will see young people obtain both practical experience and academic accreditation with the team’s support.
Already through its partnership with Action for Children, GRAHAM has employed four youngsters in various positions across its live Glasgow build to rent (BTR) schemes, which are creating an ‘abundance’ of community benefits and helping to address the demand for homes in the city.
Three young people are currently employed on Edinburgh projects and a further two apprentices will be joining the firm in August. Two Action for Children work trials have started at GRAHAM sites in Edinburgh and both have now secured full time roles, where they will be working across student accommodation and BTR schemes.
Suzanne Stevenson, social impact advisor at GRAHAM, said, “There are a number of young people across Scotland who face a variety of obstacles which prevent them finding a route into construction and a fulfilling career. At GRAHAM, we are proud to offer year-round apprenticeship and graduate programmes where over the last five years we have created more than 300 opportunities – many of which have extended into full-time employment.
“However, we are always looking at ways to enhance how we support our future generations and by pledging to support the YPG, we will now have national support to develop a workforce that has young people at its heart and help create a resilient industry for decades to come.”
