The initial group of young people on North Lanarkshire Council’s Pathways Programme are participating in the Future Builds Academy, delivered with The Verdancy Group and Apex Training. 

Associated with the council’s Built Environment Academy and supported by NL Academies, the programme unites education, training and industry partners to lay out routes into the sector of the built environment. 

The programme was highlighted for Scottish Employability Day, when education convener Councillor Michael McBride went to the training centre in Blantyre to meet with the young people and to see how they are being trained. 

During the course of 15 weeks, they are working towards The Verdancy Group’s SCQF Level 5 Award in Understanding Domestic Retrofit, making them the initial cohort in Scotland to complete the qualification.

The young people are also attaining qualifications in areas including asbestos awareness, working at height, abrasive wheel safety and hand arm vibration, as well as hands-on experience in insulation, ventilation, thermography, moisture management and low-carbon technologies.

McBride said: “It was great to meet the young people and see the training for myself. 

“They’re gaining qualifications, growing in confidence and getting a real taste of what a career in this sector could offer.”

McBride added: “Partnerships like this give young people a chance to try something new, discover what they’re good at and take that next step towards a positive future.”

Young people identified by schools as being in danger of leaving education and entering a negative pathway after school are supported by the Pathways Programme

Susan McDonald, director with The Verdancy Group said: “Scottish Employability Day is a great opportunity to recognise the importance of giving young people real opportunities to build skills, confidence and experience.”