Mr McKee visited a team of City Building’s apprentices at their Queenslie College, where they complete on-the-job-training with support from instructors and supervisors.

The visit coincided with Scottish Apprenticeship Week, which is designed to celebrate the benefits apprentices bring to businesses and organisations across the country.

As one of Scotland’s largest employers of apprenticeships, City Building trains more than 240 plumbers, engineers, joiners and painters each year. The construction firm will open applications for first-year apprenticeships on March 5 via the Glasgow Guarantee, with places available in various construction trades including carpentry, administration and heating engineering.

Dr Graham Paterson, executive director at City Building, said: “Undertaking an apprenticeship is an excellent way to enter the workplace, and provides people with both the practical skills and experience needed to take on a fully-qualified position on completion. In years gone past apprenticeships have been viewed as a ‘last resort’, but we believe it’s one of the best ways to kickstart your career.

“I started my career in construction as an apprentice joiner. Anything is possible when you work hard and have determination to succeed. Encouraging the next generation into the sector is crucial to our growth and we’re looking forward to welcoming another cohort of apprentices this year.”

City Building has an impressive track record in apprenticeship qualification rates, with a 94% of those qualifying compared to an industry average of 75%.

Mr McKee said: “I was delighted to visit Queenslie College for Scottish Apprenticeship Week to meet apprentices and see the fantastic facilities where they learn the skills they need for successful careers in the construction industry.

“This year, the theme for Scottish Apprenticeship Week is Talent Without Limits, which celebrates the diversity that makes work-based learning good for individuals, employers and the economy.

“Apprenticeships allow people of all ages and from all backgrounds to learn the skills they need now and for the future and I was encouraged to hear about the range of work being undertaken by City Building to encourage diversity in their Apprenticeship programme.”

City Building delivers SCQF level 6 and 7 qualifications in a number of disciplines over a four-year period. 80% of apprentices secured a full-time position last year with the firm once qualified. City Building will be participating in the Glasgow Guarantee with a jobs fair for aspiring apprentices on Thursday, 05 March at the City Chambers in Glasgow, where individuals will have the opportunity to find out more about available positions.

In 2019, the firm was recognised with a number of awards, including gold award through the Ministry of Defence’s Employer Recognition Scheme, along with the Most Inspiring UK Employer at the industry wide Inspire Awards.