Cruden Group has continued to demonstrate its commitment to developing Scotland’s young workforce and bridging the skills gap within the construction industry as it welcomes this year’s intake of 25 new apprentices.

The new apprentices will become part of the 90-strong team of apprentices that the Cruden Group has in training at any one time. Its focus on training and development across its group of companies has been retained, with twelve apprentices taking a position at Cruden Building in Glasgow and the other thirteen taking a position at sister company, Hart Builders in Edinburgh.

The eager new recruits have started the four-year apprenticeship programme as joiners, painters, plumbers and bricklayers and will learn their chosen trade through practical on the job training, while also working towards a qualification.

As the Cruden Group enters its 75th year, the company has been delivering apprentice programmes for nearly 50 years and continues to invest heavily in maximising local training and employment opportunities across the east and west coast.

Allan Callaghan, managing director of Cruden Building, said: “Through our Cruden Academy, we place a lot of emphasis on retaining and investing in our staff and we are proud to have a regular intake to our apprenticeship programme, employing the majority of our apprentices once they qualify.

“There is no doubt that there is a skills shortage problem, and the construction industry as a whole, needs to play its part in tackling the issue. Collectively we must secure a skilled workforce that has the right motivation to future-proof this thriving industry.”

Andy Mallice, managing director of Hart Builders, said: “Cruden continues to offer one of the most sought after apprenticeship programmes in the industry and we are pleased that through our group of companies, we can provide opportunities for young people across Scotland and not just on a regional basis.

“Our ‘grow your own’ approach to training and development allows us to contribute directly to the skills shortage, ensuring Scotland’s construction industry retains a highly-skilled workforce.”

Apprentice bricklayer, Andrew Wilson, 17, said: “I wasn’t enjoying school and my careers advisor recommended I went to a local jobs fair. As soon as I learned about the Cruden’s apprenticeship programme, I knew it would be a great opportunity for me. I was delighted when I was successful at my test and interview.

“My family are really proud of me and my friends are now keen to get in to construction too. I’m really looking forward to getting on site and continue to learn throughout my career.”

The Cruden Group also run a range of additional training initiatives through its ‘Pathways to Employment’ programme and hold ‘Investors in People – Silver’ and ‘Investors in Young People – Gold’ accreditations.