Delivered through the Scottish Government’s Home Energy Efficiency Programmes for Scotland scheme, more than 100 homes in the Mansewood and Hillpark areas of the city are set to be the first to benefit from external wall insulation.

A £1m contract to deliver the refurbishment work in this part of the city has been awarded to Barrhead-based contractor A.C. Whyte.

Glasgow City Council accepted almost £4.75m in funding from Energy Efficient Scotland, part of which will be used against the Mansewood and Hillpark renovation project. This funding will help to bring energy efficiencies to owner-occupied and private rented homes in wholly-owned and mixed-tenure blocks in Glasgow.

Specialising in major refurbishment of occupied housing for local authorities and housing associations throughout the UK, family-owned A.C. Whyte has adapted its construction sites to comply with the latest government guidelines. Works with Glasgow City Council are set to get underway in September with a view for the majority of the homes to be insulated before winter. 

Jennifer Phin, managing director at A.C. Whyte, said: “Businesses across the country have been impacted to a varying degree during the recent climate, so the contract win with Glasgow City Council comes at a very important time for A.C. Whyte and one that we are very much looking forward to progressing.

“Working in partnership with the team at Glasgow City Council will be critical to getting the project off the ground as we commence a new way of working on-site. We hope to take Glasgow City Council on the journey with us as we mobilise more sites whilst ensuring our work is delivered to an impeccable standard.

“Social distancing is playing a significant part in defining the ‘new normal’ and with planning, consideration and a creative approach, the crisis is presenting organisations with opportunities to further evolve and innovate, and this is something we have harnessed across the business.”

A.C. Whyte is currently recruiting for its unique training programme, The Skills Academy, which – in partnership with West College Scotland – offers successful candidates the opportunity to gain a formal qualification and guaranteed employment as well as relevant knowledge and skills to allow them to graduate to professional, A.C. Whyte external wall insulation installers.

The second enrolment to the 2020 scheme will welcome new team members on board, helping to develop a long-term, sustainable workforce at A.C. Whyte and aid Scotland’s employment gap.