A SCHEME which gives job seekers the building blocks to start a career in the construction industry has marked the successful completion of six more candidates.
The intensive four week training and work experience programme is organised by Robertson Tayside and Dundee City Council with support from employability specialists The Wise Group and DWP Job Centre Plus.
Lynne Short convener of Dundee City Council’s city development committee said: “This type of training, which has successfully provided job opportunities for people in the past, is only possible because we have strong partnerships in Dundee.
“Robertson’s have shown significant support by providing work experience placements through their supply chain, training materials and allowing training and placements on their sites.
“That commitment along with the trainees and all of the other companies and agencies involved has created a free and valuable resource for people looking to take their first step towards getting a job in construction."
Kevin Dickson, managing director of Robertson Tayside, said: “We’re proud to support the programme which will not only provide job seekers in Dundee with the tools needed to begin a career in the built environment industry, but also provide them with the CV-enhancing experience of a live work environment.
“We have had great support from our supply chain which means that each candidate has received a placement relevant to their interests to help them determine their skills and strengths while being supported by industry professionals.
“With a number of projects across Tayside, it’s important for us to work with the local community to provide opportunities that will create an able and skilled workforce.”
Placements for the candidates were provided by Pert Bruce, Kilmac, ISA Scaffolding, McKenna Electrical, WBS Keillor and Dundee Plant.
The event, at Dundee’s Waterfront site six, provided an opportunity for partners, colleagues, providers and employers to find out more about the programme and the types of training that have been completed.
Topics including manual handling, conflict management and the safe and effective use of powered access equipment were covered by the Robertson Academy.
Each of the candidates - Andrew French, Brandon Hawes, Jordan Dolderer, Andrew Whyte, Cameron Marshall and Fraser Henderson received a Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card that demonstrates the training and qualifications they have undertaken.
Wise Group
The Wise Group has been transforming lives through social enterprise in Scotland and the north east of England since 1983. We make a positive difference to people, communities and society by helping customers gain new skills and employment, reducing re-offending, regenerating communities and tackling fuel poverty.
Kilmac Limited
Kilmac is now recognised as one of Scotland's leading Civil Engineering and Building Contractors. Working in partnership with main contractors all over Scotland.
Pert Bruce Construction
Pert Bruce are a medium-sized specialist construction company based in Montrose, Angus. We service the whole of the North East of Scotland although our principal areas of operation extend from Dundee to Aberdeen. A family-founded business, with roots in the local area dating back to 1871, Pert Bruce are renowned as a construction company of diverse capabilities that are rooted in our commitment to both our chosen marketplace and our loyal, motivated and highly skilled workforce. At any given time our book will purposely contain a varied roster of work ranging from £25,000 domestic projects all the way up to £4m manor house conversions, with clients ranging from private individuals through to blue-chip industrial clients, architects and leading developers.
Robertson Construction Tayside
Robertson is a privately owned portfolio of individual companies working in investment, support services and construction throughout the UK.
Dundee City Council
Dundee draws skilled workers from a 60-minute catchment population of 640,000 and has a local population of over 140,000. The availability of a large pool of highly skilled labour is a key feature in the Dundee economy. Flexibility in the labour force is currently more prevalent in Dundee than in Scotland as a whole. All forms of labour market flexibility - part-time, temporary employment, self-employment and shift work - are widely operational within the city. Labour force stability in the city is excellent, enabling companies to plan with confidence. Labour turnover levels are less than 5% and absenteeism averages 2%.
