The housebuilder has recruited an apprentice painter and decorator who will study at Glasgow Clyde College whilst learning on the developers’ sites.

Ricky Booth, 31 from Clydebank is planning on painting the town red following his appointment with Persimmon. The apprentice will be working on a variety of sites across the West of Scotland whilst studying at the college, undertaking both an SVQ and PDA in Painting and Decorating as he hones his craft over four years.

Glasgow Clyde College is one of the largest Further Education providers in Scotland with over 500 full-time and part-time courses to choose from across three campuses at Anniesland, Cardonald and Langside. As well as Painting and Decorating, it offers a range of learning opportunities for anyone seeking a career in the building industry including construction, electrical and plumbing courses.

Ian MacPherson, Persimmon’s regional apprenticeship manager, said: “We’re delighted to formalise our partnership with Glasgow Clyde College with the Ricky Booth being our first apprentice in the college who will be studying at the Anniesland campus.

“We pride ourselves on working closely with local construction colleges across the country to ensure that young people with the ambition and attitude needed to succeed in the industry are given a platform to do so locally.”

Gordon Dryden, curriculum manager for construction, said: “Persimmon is one of the most well-known names in building so it is tremendous to be able to form a partnership which will upskill so many aspiring construction workers. Combining college learning with on-site experience, together with Persimmon we’ll be able to deliver industry leading apprenticeships.

“The building and construction sector has a wide range of incredible career opportunities and we’re really pleased to be supporting the next generation of employees.”

Persimmon works with a number of construction colleges across the country to ensure they can train local people as part of their numerous developments. Earlier in the year, the developer was joined by the Cabinet Secretary for Education, Jenny Gilruth MSP, to mark the 50,000th brick donated to construction colleges across Scotland.