A leading Scottish construction firm has organised a series of trade taster sessions to encourage young people from ethnic minorities to consider a career in construction.
City Building worked in partnership on the initiative with Black and Ethnic Minority Infrastructure in Scotland (BEMIS), to engage with minority groups and encourage individuals to take part in the taster sessions. Other organisations involved included West of Scotland Regional Equality Service (WSREC), the largest of Scotland’s four Regional Equality Councils and the Youth Community Support Agency.
During the sessions, which took place at the company’s Queenslie Training Centre as part of Scottish Apprenticeship Week, participants were put through their paces sampling each of the company’s craft trades including plumbing, joinery, electrical and painting and decorating with the help of City Building’s apprentices. The aim of the sessions was to provide a real insight into what a career in the construction sector could offer.
Cllr. James Adams, Chair of City Building, said: “These taster events tie in with our “Construction for all” initiative which aims to help women, long term unemployed and minority groups gain employment in the construction industry.
“We have a long track record of helping a diverse range of individuals achieve career success through our award-winning apprenticeship scheme. We hope that the hands-on experience the participants gained during the sessions will encourage them to look into alternative opportunities and may even lead to some people applying to join our talented team.”
Oumar Akram, participation and development co-ordinator at BEMIS, said: “Companies, organisations and institutions are enhanced by employing a diverse, talented, trained and motivated workforce.
“Now is the time for under-represented groups to pro-actively enhance sectors across Scotland and Scottish Apprenticeship Week is the perfect time to facilitate this.”
City Building’s unique social ethos is a major part of the company’s mission statement which includes the creation of training and employment opportunities for a diverse range of people, including minority and under-represented groups, across Glasgow and beyond.
