CCG (Scotland) Ltd has welcomed its highest intake of apprentices in recent years with 15 joining across its group of companies for 2025.
The new cohort will undertake a four-year programme across a variety of disciplines – including joinery, bricklaying, electrical, and heating engineering, supported by colleges such as Glasgow Clyde College, Ayrshire College, and South Lanarkshire College.
Apprenticeships are one of various routes to employment on offer by CCG to people aged 16 and above. The firm works with high schools and charities local to their construction projects to offer young people the chance to experience their office or site environment, and help them decide on a future career path.
CCG created 75 work placement opportunities in 2024, and has delivered 34 since the start of this year. An example is one of this year’s new apprentices. Connor McKenna (17), from Wishaw, who first completed a two-week placement facilitated by his high school and followed that up with a six-week paid placement through North Lanarkshire Council.
He later joined CCG as a plumber’s mate in August 2024, and will now formally start his plumbing apprenticeship with Asset Management, the company’s in-house planned maintenance division which performs refurbishment works to occupied homes.
Connor said, “When I did my school placement, I knew right then I wanted to find a role in construction. After doing the second placement and then joining as a plumber’s mate, the level of responsibility was something I really enjoyed. I am looking forward to learning even more during my apprenticeship programme and can’t wait to become fully qualified.”
David Wylie, MD of CCG (Scotland) Ltd, commented, “The construction sector is facing real challenges – from a skills shortage to the urgent demand for affordable housing. At CCG, we believe that long-term investment in apprenticeships and graduate development is essential not just for our own growth, but for the sustainability of the wider industry.
“Skills development and retention are vital if we are to meet Scotland’s housing needs, and we’re proud to play our part by giving young people the chance to build their future and create meaningful, lasting careers.
“To have an increased our intake to 15 this year – despite the backdrop of industry challenges – is evidence of our commitment to Scotland’s young people, and I wish each of our new entrants the very best for the years ahead.”
This year’s intake brings the total number of apprentices employed across the group to 52.
CCG has also retained a number of graduates from the 24/25 academic year, including five apprentices and five trainees.
Emma Kiely (23) is now a fully qualified quantity surveyor, after completing her HNC at Glasgow Caledonian University earlier this year. She connected with CCG through a short placement. That early exposure, combined with the inspiration drawn from her father’s career in the construction industry, sparked an interest in surveying, and when it came time to apply for university, she reached out to the company about traineeship opportunities.
Emma said, “CCG gave me the opportunity to build my skills in a real-world environment while completing my degree. I’ve grown in confidence, developed my technical knowledge, and learned how to work with different teams, all of which prepared me for a career I’m genuinely excited about.”
In total, women represent 10% of CCG’s workforce, and Emma is one of five female trainees currently progressing through structured learning programmes.
Group HR Manager, Lynn Stodart, added, “Alongside myself, Emma is one of many women that are contributing to our business across a wide range of skilled and senior roles. Her story is exactly what we strive for – taking in motivated young people and giving them the opportunity to carve out long and successful careers. I am extremely proud of CCG’s commitment to tackling our sector’s skills challenges and I look forward to seeing how all our staff develop in the year ahead.”
