The industry, in common with many other sectors, have been finding it difficult to recruit and this is another tool designed to help.

Building on the work of apprenticeship schemes already in place, funding packages are being offered to help with training costs for both the employee and the employer.

All ages can benefit from the scheme which is open to folk looking to start in the construction industry for the first time or to those looking to rejoin the industry once more.

The scheme is a partnership between the three island authority areas of Orkney, Shetland and the Western Isles with the local Community Learning Development & Employability Service’s Employability Team at OIC taking the programme forward in the county. The scheme’s administration falls under the Construction Industry Training Board [CITB] and it is overseen by the Scottish Academy for Construction Opportunities [SACO] via OIC.

Community Learning and Development Employability team manager, Lindsey Johnson, said: “The package being offered is £500 worth of training to the individual to support them to access the industry and then £1000 to employers given in two payments for taking on and sustaining the person in a new role.

“We would look to work with an individual interested in getting into construction to develop the skills required and gain relevant courses etc, for example the Construction Skills Certification Scheme (CSCS) card. We would then be looking for a work placement/trial with the intention of the individual being offered paid work. If this is successful, we would then offer the employer an incentive of £500 if the individual sustained work for three months and then a further £500 for the next three months.

“The individual would have an Employability Keyworker during this time that could offer them and the employer support if required to sustain the employment opportunity.”

By delivering the scheme as a partnership, Lindsey says expertise and resources can be pooled to benefit the island communities.

She concluded: We want to take this opportunity to work with colleagues in the construction industry to meet the needs of the local economy and community.”

The scheme is due to run until the end of March 2025.