Apprenticeships – investing in communities

Published: 30 May 2021

GMG’s employment policy targets disadvantaged local communities, with 90 per cent of apprentices recruited from areas with high levels of disadvantage.

Many apprentices hold no formal qualifications prior to starting work at GMG, so, where required, those in need of learning support are offered assistance.

Almost all of our apprentices progress to become tradesmen – a commitment to young workers that led to the company being granted “Investors in Young People” status in 2014 and ultimately to achieving Investors in Young People Platinum accreditation in 2022.

GMG was the first construction company in Scotland to be recognised in this way, and it was also heavily involved with the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce (the Wood Commission), which was first reported in 2014.

Influencing apprenticeship and trade skills certification and accreditation through external activities is a high priority at GMG.

The company works with the Construction Industry Training Board and the National Federation of Roofing Contractors to develop SVQ modules and National Occupational Standards, including piloting a Modern Apprenticeship SVQ Level 2 in conjunction with South Lanarkshire College in East Kilbride.

GMG also supports individual paths, two of our youngest quantity surveyors have taken on an endeavour at Glasgow Caledonian University, one undertaking an MSc and the other a BA (Hons) degree.

We are active in developing relevant and trade-specific training and accreditation (such as in roof tiling and external rendering). This aligns with the operational requirements of the business, so the company can promote seasonal/demand-aligned college attendance and place greater emphasis on site-based assessment.

Creating the right environment for early and continuing skills formation underpins the company’s recent commitment to construct an on-site training centre that:

  • Supports apprentices’ professional development and skills accreditation,
  • Houses ongoing trade training activities
  • Provides a space for enhancing communications and dialogue.

GMG apprentices receive many additional benefits, some of which include:

  • Age-related apprenticeship rate.
  • An interest-free £1000 loan to learn to drive which is written off after three years’ service.
  • Direct one-to-one assistance for operatives with learning difficulties.
  • Their first set of tools.
  • Workwear, including t-shirts, hoodies, beanie hats and thermal under-clothing.

There is no wrong path to the workforce, and GMG supports our workforce and the local community in encouraging young people to find their dream job through work experience, apprenticeships and workplace training.

Former MSP Roseanna Cunningham with a first-year apprentice (No building work was taking place during this photoshoot).
GMG’s two youngest female apprentices pictured with the Platinum IIYP Award presented from Remarkable specialist, Nicola Dillon
Annabelle Ewing MSP and Peter Russian, of Investors In Young People, presenting our apprentices with an IIYP Gold award.
CEO Gerry McGinn with some of the GMG apprentices.
CEO Gerry McGinn with some of the GMG apprentices.
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