Article written  by Dr Graham Paterson
Executive Director, City Building

City Building has enhanced its reputation as one of the largest employers of young people in Scotland by offering permanent jobs to 97% of their graduating fourth-year apprentices.

More than 50 joiners, electricians, painters and plumbers have been retained in response to growing demand for City Building’s services within the city. In the first year since the joint venture with Glasgow City Council and Wheatley Housing Group City Building has enjoyed a notable surge in its workload as private and public clients continue to invest in refurbishment projects throughout the city.

After last month’s publication of a landmark report which outlined the diversity performance at City Building, Kieran Findlay and Darren Robertson visited the company’s Queenslie Training Centre in Glasgow to ask executive director Dr Graham Paterson about what drives its promotion for social inclusion.

City Building is one of Scotland’s largest construction firms, with over 2,200 staff. The Glasgow business is underpinned by a unique social ethos which includes providing sustainable employment for a diverse range of people including those with disabilities and other under-represented groups.

As part of its socially inclusive approach the organisation has established a comprehensive youth employment policy, which includes a dedicated additional support for learning (ASL) schools programme.

A landmark report produced to assist City Building’s diversity drive has found that almost half of its employees come from geographical areas identified as being the three most deprived in Scotland.

Staff at City Building have marked Mental Health Awareness Week with a day of fun and stress-busting activities at their Darnick Street headquarters.

City Building have signed up to the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant which amongst a number of principles includes the promise that we will promote our organisation as an armed forces-friendly organization.