Photocall invitation: Tuesday 18 March, 12.45pm, Scottish Parliament
LOCAL apprentices in traditional construction trades will join Nigel Don MSP and Karyn Watt, of Construction Scotland, at the main entrance of the Scottish Parliament on Tuesday 18 March to showcase their skills in advance of an event in the Parliament’s garden lobby later that evening.
Kerry-Ann Yoman (painting and decorating, Novus Solutions), Lewis Miller (Compass Roofing) – both studying at Edinburgh College – and Tony Walker (Historic Scotland) will bring their tools of the trade to Holyrood and encourage the politicians to try their hand at creating special paint effects, tiling a roof and stonemasonry, albeit on a smaller scale than the apprentices are used to!
Says a spokesperson: “Apprenticeships are vital to the construction industry and have a key role to play in boosting Scotland’s economic recovery.
“Figures from the CITB (Construction Industry Training Board) show that last year 1,283 new start (and 276 restart) apprenticeships commenced across the wide variety of trades and professions that make up the industry in Scotland, and the 2014 figures to date encouraging with 90 new starts and 44 restarts already registered.”
Ed Monaghan, chair of Construction Scotland, said: “With construction strongly influencing the quality of the environment in which we all live and work, it is essential that we plan for the future and ensure that our workforce – across all trades and professions and throughout the country – is equipped with the skills necessary to deliver down the line.
“Apprenticeships are vital to this succession planning and we are hosting this event at the Scottish Parliament to highlight the fact that we need even more apprentices like those whose work we are showcasing today to be appointed and trained.
“For any construction-related employer thinking about taking on new staff, I would strongly encourage them to consider hiring apprentices and take advantage of the assistance and financial support available from organisations such as the CITB.”
You are invited to send a photographer to the main entrance of the Scottish Parliament Building, Edinburgh at 12.45pm on Tuesday 18 March when the three apprentices will demonstrate their skills with the help of Nigel Don MSP and Karyn Watt (Construction Scotland).
ENDS
Note to editors
- Construction Scotland is a leadership organisation for the construction industry in Scotland. Formed to unite, progress and grow the industry – in the shape of a unique partnership between businesses, trade bodies, colleges, universities and the public sector – it provides leadership and direction, and acts as the voice of the industry as a whole.
- Its focus is on building a sustainable, profitable and innovative industry that can compete in a global marketplace. Construction Scotland’s strategic plan 2013-16, Building for the Future, can be accessed here.
For further information, please contact Brenda Munro at Perceptive Communicators on 07940131506 or brenda.munro@perceptivecommunicators.co.uk
PRESS RELEASE issued by Perceptive Communicators. You too can post your story ideas for journalists (aka press or media releases), on allmediascotland.com. Email info@allmediascotland.com for more information.
Contact: Brenda Munro
Phone: 07940131506
Email: brenda.munro@perceptivecommunicators.co.uk
Website: http://www.perceptivecommunicators.co.uk
