The development programme, now in its seventh year, is free to attend and offers valuable industry knowledge and support to local companies across construction and its associated sectors.

Launching on 25 April and running until 6 June, the programme offers weekly interactive learning sessions with hub South West’s Tier One construction partners Balfour Beatty, BAM Construction, Kier, Morgan Sindall and Morrison Construction.

Each session focuses on a key business area, offering expert advice on a variety of topics, from how to navigate tendering and procurement, to developing an effective business and marketing strategy and much more. During the final session, participants are asked to deliver a presentation highlighting their key takeaways, personal progress and how they intend to use their learnings to positively impact the future of their business. An overall winner is announced at the end of the programme.

Joseph Drugan, social value manager, hub South West Scotland, said: “Our free annual Build programme offers construction businesses across Lanarkshire an invaluable opportunity to learn from our Tier One construction partners and industry experts.

“The programme has been carefully designed to help you improve business capability and harness exciting new opportunities for growth, while providing ongoing development support and guidance. Our aim is to enhance your skills within the sector, help you develop a sustainable and feasible business plan and successfully achieve your long-term ambitions.

“We’re proud to be delivering the Build Lanarkshire programme in partnership with both North and South Lanarkshire councils and are calling on businesses who feel this can benefit them to apply before 28 March.”

A wide range of local businesses have already benefitted from participating in the Build Lanarkshire programme, including specialists in renovation, groundworking and joinery.

The winner of the 2023 Build Lanarkshire programme was Jettison Waste Management, which provides responsible recycling, removal and disposal of waste to industrial, commercial and domestic audiences.

Local businesses who are interested in attending the programme can register their interest by emailing Joseph Drugan at jdrugan@hubsouthwest.co.uk or Margaret Milton at margaret.milton@hubsouthwest.co.uk.