Construction apprentices affected by the pandemic receive support

This week saw the launch of Pathway Apprenticeships – a national initiative created to improve the route into the workplace for young people as part of the Scottish Government’s £60 million Young Person’s Guarantee. The Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) provided key input to the programme to support the construction industry and its young workforce as part of the Construction Recovery Plan. The initiative has been developed by Energy Skills Partnership, Skills Development Scotland and other partners, and supported by the Construction Leadership Forum’s Skills & Workforce Subgroup as an immediate, short-term response to the economic impact of the pandemic.

Pathway Apprenticeships is a programme for school-leavers up to 18 years old who might be facing limited options due to the economic impact of COVID-19 and is part of the Scottish Government’s £60 million Young Person’s Guarantee.

Around 200 opportunities will be available for young people in construction in the first phase of the initiative. Learners will undertake a 6 month course and receive £100 per week plus travel expenses. Successful completion of the qualification will take 3 months off the full time Modern Apprenticeship due to the skills and learning gained on the programme.

Emma Dickson, Co-Chair of the Construction Leadership Forum (CLF) Skills & Workforce Sub Group and Skills Chair of Construction Scotland, said: “The Modern Apprentice Task Force who worked hard to put this together as part of the CLF Skills Sub Group, has ensured that this programme provides an industry recognised route into construction apprenticeships next year when the economy picks up. It is an important example of industry working together with the Scottish Government to find the best solutions for young people and industry.”

Ken Gillespie, Chair of Construction Scotland, says: “The construction industry in Scotland has been badly affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, and this initiative forming part of the CLF’s Recovery Plan provides our young people who have been disproportionately affected with the opportunity to start work. A big thank you to the team who have collaborated at pace to deliver these Pathway Apprenticeships, supporting the need to increase the skills and diversity of our workforce.”

Hector MacAulay MBE, Construction Scotland Board Member and MD of Balfour Beatty Scotland: “It is fantastic to see the construction industry across Scotland pull together in these challenging times to ensure that the shared commitment to providing an attractive apprenticeship route into the industry is maintained.”

This initiative is testament to the value of the construction industry uniting and working hard together to share the passion for supporting young people’s pathway into the construction industry.
Special thanks for their input go to Jim Brown (Energy Skills Partnership), Ian & Neil Rogers (SDF), Thomas Kirby (Unite the Union), Paul Mitchell (Scottish Building), Gordon Nelson (Federation Master Builders), Cara Hilton (CECA Scotland), Sandy MacGillivray (CITB), Skills Development Scotland, Scottish Funding Council and Scottish Government.

Find out more about Construction Pathway Apprenticeships

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