Regeneration firm Urban Union has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting young apprentices, announcing its plans to recruit 21 apprentices throughout 2016.

The pledge comes during Scottish Apprentice Week (29 February – 4 March) and will see new apprenticeships available at the developer’s three sites.

This includes 8 places at Laurieston Living and the firm’s head office in Glasgow, as well as 13 at Pennywell Living in Edinburgh.

The new apprentice places will be delivered by both Urban Union and its sub-contractors and follows on from the firm’s intake of 31 apprentices in 2015. Apprenticeships with Urban Union have encompassed a variety of disciplines including – administration, surveying, engineering, sales, joinery, bricklaying, and pluming.

Craig Kidd of Urban Union said: “A key part of Urban Union’s ethos is to develop and enhance the local areas surrounding our developments and this includes offering and providing apprenticeships.

“We are proud to have delivered 31 apprenticeships over the past 12 months and look forward to working with more young people this year.

“Apprenticeships are the future of the construction industry. With a growing need for more new homes, the industry needs more people on board to keep up with demand.

“We’ve found working with apprentices to be hugely beneficial – they are enthusiastic and eager to learn and have had a positive impact on the wider team.

“Urban Union is committed to ensuring our apprentices as much from their time with us, to help them develop their future career.”

One of those to benefit from an apprenticeship with Urban Union is Connor Keen from Glasgow.

Connor, 22, started a full time role as an administrator and receptionist in Urban Union’s Glasgow headquarters in August 2015. Having previously worked in events management for three years, the role is his first experience of office based employment.

He said: “My previous work experience involved working on a number of events in Glasgow, so a very different environment from my day-to-day role at Urban Union.

“I applied for the position at Urban Union through the Jobs and Business Glasgow website as I was interested in gaining experience in the development sector.

“I’m enjoying the range of responsibilities involved, from managing customer enquiries and arranging viewing appointments for new properties for sale, to working with different systems.”