The company offers work placements to employability programme participants from the areas in which it is building new affordable housing, and this has been a record year for the company’s sustainable communities programme team.

Ross Hammell, McTaggart Construction’s sustainable communities programme manager, said: “Work placements usually last two weeks and offer the placement student the opportunity to showcase what they’ve learned and a taste of working in construction. The benefit for us, and our supply chain, is the opportunity to assess the student’s skill but, more importantly, their attitude and desire to work.”

The 100th student this year is Dylan Hutchison, age 17, from Castlemilk. Dylan attends City of Glasgow College and has been able to secure a job with one of McTaggart’s sub-contractors, after impressing them during this work placement.

Andy Pollock, associate dean; construction & built environment, City of Glasgow College, said: “Dylan joined us as a school leaver starting on our City & Guilds Level 3 Construction Skills course and progressed onto our NPA Painting & Decorating. He is now about to complete an NPA in Wall & Floor Tiling. During his time at the college he has grown in confidence and developed his skills to make him work ready.

“Our aim at City of Glasgow College is to equip all our students with the skills they will require from day one when they leave college and start a job. The working relationship and apprentice partnerships our college has forged with industry benefits our students enormously as they gain invaluable, hands-on, real life work experience within their chosen sector. We are delighted that Dylan has become McTaggart’s 100th placement, it is a fantastic opportunity and we wish him well.”

McTaggart was recently announced as winners of the ‘Business in the Community’ category of the Ayrshire Business Awards 2018 and the awarded the ‘Community Contribution’ prize at the Scottish Home Awards 2018 in June. The company was also finalists for ‘Large Employer of the Year’ the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.