Young apprentices from Glasgow are helping put the finishing touches to the SSE Hydro ahead of the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships €“ one of the biggest sporting events ever to be staged in the UK.
With just days till the action gets underway, around 30 apprentices and tradespeople from City Building have been hard at work constructing the field of play perimeter wall, gymnasts’ entrance tunnel and judges’ table dividers in the SSE Hydro.
The team includes 15 time-served apprentices who are back working with City Building as part of a Post Apprenticeship Transition Programme €“ the only one of its kind in Scotland. The programme provides vital work experience opportunities to time-served apprentices who have encountered difficulty in finding employment.
An extensive range of furniture for the competition and back-office areas, all constructed at City Building’s RSBi factories in Springburn and Queenslie, is also being installed in the venue as preparations for the Championships gather pace.
With around 50,000 tickets already snapped up the World Championships is already the biggest selling artistic gymnastics event ever staged in the UK, with that number expected to rise further still in the coming days.
A record 593 gymnasts from 87 countries have pledged to take part in the event. Tickets are still available from www.2015worldgymnastics.com but with many sessions nearing capacity fans are urged to act quickly. The 10-day event takes place at the SSE Hydro between Friday 23 October and Sunday 1 November.
Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “We are just days away from one of the biggest sporting events in Glasgow’s history and you can really feel the excitement starting to build now.
“It is shaping up to be an unforgettable 10 days but events like this don’t just happen. There is a team of people from across a range of partners working hard to ensure we deliver the best ever World Championships.
“Young apprentices and staff from City Building’s RSBi factory have been at the heart of the preparations and we are grateful for all their hard work. Once again they have made Glasgow proud on the big stage.”
Executive Director of City Building, Graham Paterson, said: “We have a proven track record of delivering top-quality products and services while at the same delivering Scotland’s largest and most successful apprenticeship programme.
“We have worked on a wide-range of projects, from school refurbishments to new-build housing developments and we are delighted to have been able to bring our unique set of skills to the World Gymnastics Championships.”
Apprentice Kieran O’Hare from Cranhill said: “Since starting my apprenticeship I have learned vital new skills which will make all the difference when it comes to securing a job. It has been a great experience and one which will benefit me in the long term.
“No two jobs are the same and it has been fantastic to have been given the chance to be part of the 2015 World Gymnastics Championships. It’s not every apprentice who can say that.”
Pictured are Kieran O’Hare and Nicole Woodburn.
