The ‘Youthbuild’ programme has been devised by Action for Children. It encourages 16–24-year-olds in Glasgow and Edinburgh who have faced barriers entering employment to have a career in construction. The programme tackles the underlying issues that prevent youngsters from entering and sustaining employment.

GRAHAM has supported the initiative by providing a two-week placement, with participants working on sites such as Buchanan Wharf, Central Quay, and Westfield Road allowing each of the individuals to further develop their learning and gain practical, real-life construction experience.

The expert-led course and placement programme is designed to ensure significant hands-on experience with each stage prioritising specialised education, allowing the participants to develop exceptional skillsets in construction, and in other areas of their lives.

On completion of the course, each participant has gained a total of nine accredited certificates, including health and safety, asbestos awareness, manual handling and working at height.

Thomas Rand (23) from Edinburgh, has successfully completed the course and on-site placement and, as a result, has now been offered a permanent role at GRAHAM on the Westfield Road Student Accommodation project. He said: “This has been a brilliant experience and opportunity for me. I’ve been able to get comfortable learning the basics of construction whilst being supported in a small group setting in the training centre and on site.

“The team I’ve been working with have made me feel more confident and I’m thrilled to be given the opportunity to be taken on to the next step in my career.”

Paul Dickson (18) from Edinburgh, also completed the programme and has secured a permanent position at GRAHAM working on the Gorgie Road Student Accommodation project. He added: “After gaining hands-on experience and qualifications from the Youthbuild course and work placement, I am really pleased to be able to put the knowledge and skills I’ve learned to good use in my new role at GRAHAM. I’m really looking forward to finding my niche and working my way up.”

Suzanne Stevenson, social impact advisor at GRAHAM said: “There are a number of young people across Scotland who face a variety of obstacles preventing them from achieving their full potential. Initiatives like ‘Youthbuild’ provide a crucial platform to breakdown those barriers and showcase just how rewarding and varied a career in construction can be.

“We continue to provide as many opportunities for young people as possible, through our apprenticeship schemes and funding their education. It has been a pleasure to watch the group progress throughout the programme and offer each of them full-time positions. We look forward to supporting them in their new role at GRAHAM.”

GRAHAM is a member of the ‘5% Club’, an organisation consisting of companies committed to ensuring 5% of their workforce over the next five years is comprised of young people on structured learning schemes.