The partnership, launched in August, provides opportunities to gain experience in the construction industry. It has already enrolled 35 learners onto its pre-apprenticeship construction and civil engineering programme.

Tigers has 20 years’ experience of working with young people, across Scotland, to develop their potential, through a vocational education model of industry skills development, personal growth and work-based qualification delivery. It has a range of training and development courses to help people into employment in areas such as marketing, early learning and childcare, leadership, and construction.

Leaders from both organisations attended as well as MSP for Glasgow, Paul Sweeney, and supply chain representatives, who offered advice and guidance to the young people at the event.

Guests had an opportunity to network and to find out more from those in the industry by taking part in a Q&A session.

Apprentices on site at the training facility also embraced the opportunity to network with everyone in attendance including the supply chain, Skills Development Scotland, SQA, Digital Construction Skills, Civil Engineering Contractors Association, Construction Scotland Innovation Centre, and employability officers from local high schools within the East Dunbartonshire area.

There were presentations from Morgan Sindall Construction’s Scotland managing director, Stuart Parker, and tigers managing director, Pauline Scott, who both gave an insight into the industry and the shared vision between the construction company and training provider.

Successful candidates on the pre-apprenticeship programme will gain a Modern Apprenticeship in Construction Civil Engineering at SVQ 2 SCQF Level 5 over the course of 18 months, with the opportunity to continue their employment with Morgan Sindall Construction or one of its subcontractors upon completion.

The joint venture not only creates employment opportunities for those involved but equips them with vital skills and training in key areas for the industry, including digital and sustainability. The local supply chain will also benefit from the shared apprenticeship model of delivery.

The partnership is part of Morgan Sindall Construction’s commitment to leave a lasting legacy in communities in which it operates. The initial intake of apprentices will be working on projects in South Ayrshire and Glasgow, where Morgan Sindall Construction currently has a core of activity. This includes Prestwick Educational Campus and Maybole Community Campus - two new multi-use flagship education and community campuses which are being delivered in partnership with development partner hub South West for South Ayrshire Council.

Stuart Parker, managing director at Morgan Sindall Construction, said: “We were thrilled to welcome young people to this event to find out more about the apprenticeship which is now well underway for our first intake.

“This partnership is providing young people in Glasgow and South Ayrshire with an exciting opportunity to work on construction projects in their area with the aim of securing a full-time role at the end of it. 

“Tigers and Morgan Sindall Construction have a strong alignment in vision and values. Together, we are taking progressive steps to address the skills gap in construction and provide the region’s next generation of young talent with rewarding careers and recognised qualifications.

“We have all been in the shoes of the young people that attended this event and understand how daunting applications and trying to find your way in a new industry can be. These events offer a fantastic opportunity to young people, not just those who are interested in construction, but also those looking to start a rewarding career in an industry they might not have previously considered.”

Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure and tigers previously worked together in 2018 to develop a training facility for young people to learn construction-related skills at Sighthill TRA Contract 2, the biggest regeneration project of its type outside of London at the time.

Pauline Scott, managing director at tigers, said: “The partnership enabled us to share our vision of the huge potential that this partnership has to positively impact the lives of many young people in Scotland. The bespoke joint venture has already supported 35 young people who are now on a pathway towards a Construction Modern Apprenticeship and a career in the sector.

“This unique partnership will provide our apprentices with a holistic learning and development programme where they will take away so much more than construction skills. Our whole-person approach will allow our apprentices to break down the barriers to their development and provide a breadth of skills they need to thrive and grow their potential.

“Our progressive JV model ensures that the physical, social and emotional needs of our young people are being met, in addition to the invaluable industry knowledge and onsite experience they will gain on Morgan Sindall sites.”

Pauline added: “We’re proud to be working with Morgan Sindall Construction, a partner who shares our vision and values, to deliver this fantastic partnership that will make a real impact on the lives of young people in South Ayrshire and Glasgow.”

Both organisations hope to develop the scope of the programme and recruit an annual intake each year.