The partnership aims to equip youngsters, aged 12 to 25, with the skills, experience and confidence needed for future employment.

First Steps Future Training provides young people with construction training and qualifications to help them secure work in the sector.

Its training programme covers a range of trades, including bricklaying, joinery, painting, decorating, and scaffolding. It has helped hundreds of youngsters from underprivileged backgrounds to find work since the charity was formed in 2013.

Rearo, which has premises in Glasgow, Washington, Tyne and Wear, and Northampton, manufactures high-pressure laminate wall panels, and commercial washrooms for a range of UK businesses, including fast food restaurants, supermarkets, and high street chains, has already scored a number of recent commercial wins to help achieve its target.

Jamie Campbell, the company’s operations excellence manager, said: “The programme that First Steps has set up is remarkable. It provides a valuable training ground for these young individuals who might not have had the best start in life.

“From the ages of 12 to 18, they engage in practical skills development, preparing them for the challenges of the working world.”

As part of the collaboration, Rearo has also contributed to the charity’s facilities, providing toilet cubicles and wall panels to enhance the infrastructure at the First Steps’ headquarters at Broad Street Bridgeton.

Campbell said: “When First Steps reached out to us, we saw an opportunity not just to offer employment but also to contribute to the community. We decided to provide toilet cubicles and wall panels to support the charity in creating a conducive learning environment.”

The collaboration doesn’t stop at potential job placements; Rearo is also offering a six-week trial period for graduates of First Steps’ training programme, essentially providing a pre-apprenticeship experience. This allows both the company and the individual to assess compatibility before committing to a formal apprenticeship.

Potential apprentices will help to install the Rearo toilet cubicles and Selkie wet wall panels at the charity HQ to help them prepare for taking part in the trial, prior to employment according to Campbell.

He said: “It’s like a win-win situation. The trial period helps us identify if the individual is a good fit for our company, and it gives the young person a chance to experience the workplace before committing to a long-term apprenticeship.”

In addition to its support for the training programme and the provision of materials, Rearo is actively involved in promoting the programme to local schools. The company is reaching out to high schools to encourage pupils to consider apprenticeships, emphasizing the benefits of starting a career close to home.

Campbell also mentioned the company’s intention to diversify its workforce by potentially hiring older individuals.

He said: “While we are proud of our engagement with young people, we also want to balance our workforce. We are considering bringing in older individuals to ensure a diverse and well-rounded team.”

George Bruce, operations manager of First Steps Future Training, expressed his gratitude for Rearo’s involvement.

He said: “To say that we’re grateful is an understatement. Rearo has not only provided potential employment opportunities for our graduates but has also enhanced our facilities with their generous donation. This collaboration goes beyond a transaction; it’s about investing in the future of these young individuals.”

The success stories emerging from First Steps are a testament to the positive impact of such collaborations. The charity maintains a “Wall of Success” featuring individuals who have successfully transitioned into employment or apprenticeships after completing the programme.