Building Briefs – December 21st

• Graduation event celebrates students’ success at Musselburgh Construction Skills Academy

The S5 pupils, who originally attended Preston Lodge and Ross High schools, studied at the Construction Skills Academy from June until December working towards a Level 5 SCVQ Pre-Apprenticeship in Carpentry and Joinery.

The course is delivered in partnership between East Lothian Council and Edinburgh College and based within the Construction Skills Academy at Musselburgh Grammar School. It combines practical woodwork and tool experience, employability skills and health and safety legislation to leave them workplace-ready. Previous students have moved into paid apprenticeships within the construction industry or employment after completing the course.

Jewson, Wickes and Howden Joinery firms provided each of the students with their own toolkit, worth £150, ready for their next steps into the industry.

• CALA Homes donates defibrillator package to Milton of Campsie community

The community of Milton of Campsie has received a mobile defibrillator thanks to a donation from CALA Homes (West).

The homebuilder has donated the lifesaving equipment as it launches its Fin Glen development in the sought-after village.

The firm made the donation in partnership with the Community Council which will be located within the phone box in the centre of the village to ensure the local community have access to the new equipment at all times.

The only definitive treatment for a victim of cardiac arrest is early CPR and defibrillation.  This must be administered within 3-5 minutes following collapse to give the person the best chance of survival; making it imperative to have a defibrillator within communities.

• New trainees make it double figures at Queens Cross

Two more young people have joined the ranks at Queens Cross Housing Association.

Seventeen-year-old Sean Hanley and Anthony Goodall have joined the handyperson team on a ten-week training placement.

The new recruits bring to 11 the number of young people under 26 who have joined the Association in 2018.

The teenagers will be trained in all aspects of the role – from providing upkeep to the Association’s environment and its housing stock to assisting in minor repairs.

Successful completion of the programme may lead to a full-time apprenticeship opportunity within the team.

Handyperson team leader Gerry O’Donnell was delighted to welcome the pair to the Association.

As well as the trainees, Queens Cross has employed two modern apprentices, two trade apprentices, three trainee graduates and two customer services advisers under the age of 26.

The Association has also been working with local schools to offer short-term placements to give pupils a taste of what working for a social landlord is like.

The recruitment drive is part of the association’s support for the Scottish Government’s ‘Year of Young People’ initiative which aims to champion young people aged 8-26.