ROBERTSON Group and Edinburgh College have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) as part of their ambitions to provide students with hands-on experience and development opportunities.
Urban Union and Robertson Construction Central East, both part of Robertson Group, will partner with Edinburgh College to implement the MOU. The focus is to widen access to careers in construction, provide work experience, and make sure training and education aligns with industry needs.
Across Edinburgh, regeneration specialist Urban Union is leading several housing developments, while Robertson Construction Central East is delivering many projects. It is expected that students will have the opportunity to attend these sites.
Activities included in the MOU range from career talks and employability programmes to guest presentations. Tailored support will be offered to students who face extra challenges finding work while leadership development initiatives focusing on females and other under-represented groups within the construction industry will be explored.
The move follows on from the MOU between Urban Union and City of Glasgow College last year, which saw 19 students take part in work placements, with three students gaining full-time employment.
Neil McKay, MD, Urban Union, said, “Building on the success of our partnership in Glasgow, it’s fantastic to now deliver these opportunities to Edinburgh College students. Together with the college, a diverse range of initiatives will be undertaken to benefit students beyond their studies and help them to kickstart a rewarding career.”
David Cairns, regional MD, Robertson Construction Central East, added, “With many live projects across Edinburgh, we hope to provide as many meaningful opportunities as possible to help bridge the gap between education and the live working environment. This partnership with Edinburgh College further highlights our commitment to delivering social and economic benefits locally, and we look forward to seeing students gain valuable experience and thrive as a result.”
Michael Jeffrey, vice principal: corporate development at Edinburgh College, commented, “We are delighted to have signed this MOU with Urban Union and Robertson Construction Central East to provide our students with tailored support as they build their career in this vital industry. As one of Scotland’s largest colleges, it is incumbent on us to continue our strong record of providing the construction sector with the skilled workforce it requires, as well as ensuring it is accessible to all – and this new partnership aligns with that goal.”
