The programme is designed to support and help businesses in the construction sector in Ayrshire with ambitions to grow in a sustainable manner by developing skills and the internal capacity to take on increasing volumes of business.

It is delivered in eight half-day online sessions of practical instruction from 3 February to 24 March and is free to attend but requires commitment from each participating business. It follows a highly successful initial programme in early 2021.

The eight Ayrshire businesses taking part are Billy McGuire Joinery & Building and Clearview Intelligence, both based in Ayr, Kilmarnock-based businesses, TCS Response, Thomson Hunter Architects, Stag Aluminium and Gas Boiler Technicians Limited, Dundonald-headquartered Lairds of Troon Limited and Highlander Security Systems of Troon.

Build Ayrshire, a development programme run in partnership with East Ayrshire Council, North Ayrshire Council, and South Ayrshire Council, is managed by hub South West.

The online programme contains shared learnings for all delegates on business in general, including such issues as strategy, goal setting, leadership, team building and development, employment law, digital marketing and social media, procurement and cloud accounting.

Participating companies can improve their business performance and, as a result, many experience high growth, enhanced day-to-day operations through participating in weekly topical workshops led by industry experts, and acquire skills that will help them improve their capability and capacity.

Build Ayrshire also includes Meet the Buyer supply chain meetings with several of hub South West’s active Tier 1 Contractors. The programme concludes with an opportunity to pitch to all of them and a closing awards event with one business gaining the Main Award for the programme.

Mark Houston, supply chain development manager at hub South West, said: “We are delighted to host the participation of eight such driven businesses in this our second Build Ayrshire programme.

“It provides a brilliant platform for each of them to develop their businesses, establish key Tier 1 contacts and network with like-minded business owners.

“Build Ayrshire follows on from twelve of our Building for Growth and four Build Lanarkshire programmes which we have run over the last seven years.

“We have consistently honed our programmes to ensure the content and contacts provide an inspirational and valuable experience for everyone who takes part.

“Over 150 companies have now ‘graduated’ from these programmes, many of which have improved their business and experienced high growth by both broadening and deepening their grasp of the factors needed to win more new, bigger contracts from the Tier 1 contractors.”