There’s help to get a start in the Construction Industry.

Tuesday, 30 January 2024

Two of our local Highland Councillors have welcomed a construction skills course for unemployed people under 29 years of age.

Councillors Chris Ballance and David Fraser said “We are sure there will be many young people who are interested in a career within the construction and building industry but who may have experienced barriers such as lack of funding or a suitable qualification. ‘Access to Trades’ will provide the skills, a qualification and the equipment required for them to get a job in the construction sector.”

David and Chris added “There is currently a real shortage of people qualified for work in renewables in the Highlands. We welcome that Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust is highlighting this opportunity that’s available to young people who wish to start work within the construction industry. In recent years

Stratherrick, Foyers and the surrounding area has seen very significant investment in windfarms and associated infrastructure. With the drive to Net Zero it is likely that construction will continue to offer local long-term employment. We would encourage any people that are interested in this type of career to take advantage of this training opportunity.”

The programme is backed by Highland Council and the Construction Industry Training Board. Barnardo’s Works, who operate out of premises on the Longman in Inverness will run the scheme. Using their training expertise and contacts within the construction industry Barnardo’s Works will:

Prepare young people for employment through delivery of SQA accredited training in both the skills and attitudes for work and how to manage finances once they start employment.
Prepare young people for their CSCS on-screen test and support them to achieve their one-day Health & Safety in a Construction Environment qualification.
Provide valuable insights into working life in construction through employer visits, talks and activities.
Provide an Individual Training Allowance of £65 per week * subject to eligibility criteria.
Provide a basic kit of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ready for the workplace.
Offer all young people attending the programme daily the chance to gain some valuable work experience.
Mentor both the young person and the employer for the first six months of employment, this is the most crucial time and Barnardo’s Works have found that by doing this the young person is most likely to remain in employment.

If any unemployed person under 29 in the Highland Council area wants to join this programme, please contact Darren Hamilton at Barnardo’s Works on 07590 086854. More information can be found here.

Barnardo's Works is based on Seafield Road on the Longman Industrial Estate.

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Stratherrick & Foyers Community Trust,
The Wildside Centre, Whitebridge,
Inverness IV2 6UN
admin@sfctrust.org.uk
07300 562443

Mission statement: To act to enhance the quality of lives of people by engaging with the issues that matter to the community and by supporting people, at a sustainable level, to help people make things happen.

Thanks: Many thanks to our funders for making this site possible - SSE Renewables, Greencoat UK Wind, Green Highland Allt Luaidhe (228) Limited, Easter Aberchalder Partnership. Also the Trust extends its heartfelt thanks to all the community volunteers who have contributed ideas and content to the site.

Fair Work First Statement - Stratherrick and Foyers Community Trust (SFCT) is committed to advancing the Scottish Government Fair Work First Policy and the criteria as set out within the Fair Work First guidance document. We confirm that we pay our staff the Real Living Wage. We make every effort to ensure that our suppliers/contractors are offered the same Real Living Wage rate when procuring goods or services. We also confirm that we offer our staff and/or volunteers an Effective Workers Voice channel within the workplace. Our full policy can be found in ‘Our Documents’, then click on ‘Good Governance’.