The state-of-the-art facility, based in Aberdeen, will train and upskill the Scottish work force and benefit both the construction and oil and gas industries.

Work on the new building has already begun, and CITB will now work with ASET to get the training centre operational for the first intake of apprentices and trainees by the end of the year.

CITB commissioned the facility due to increasing demand for scaffolders and insufficient training in the region. ASET was named as preferred bidder in November 2015 and will now lead the project to completion. The centre, which will have an external footprint of 658 square metres, will be built by Aberdeen contractors, North Group, with design by architects, Arch Henderson & Partners.

Ian Hughes, strategic partnerships director at CITB Scotland, said: “It is fantastic to see this project moving ahead at pace. The facility will provide Scotland with a stunning new training facility preparing the next generation of scaffolders for their career.

“Our partnership with ASET enables CITB to ensure the right skills are in place to meet Scottish construction’s current and future needs, and allows training to be delivered at a local level.”

Atholl Menzies, chief executive at ASET, added: “ASET is delighted to have been successful in the bid to work with the CITB in creating a centre of excellence for Scaffolding training, for both apprenticeship places and commercial courses, in the North of Scotland.

“As well as contributing to the local economy this purpose-built facility will go some way to meet the demand for accredited CISRS qualifications at introductory and advanced level in the region - from Dundee to Shetland.

“This is an exciting development for ASET and we are anticipating a very positive response from employers and individuals alike to the portfolio of courses on offer, which are in the process of being finalised.”

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