Cruden Group has welcomed this year’s intake of 25 new apprentices as the construction and housebuilding company continues its commitment to training young people in the industry’s much-needed skills.
The Group, one of Scotland’s largest independent construction firms, now has a total of 90 apprentices across different disciplines. Of the new recruits, 12 apprentices have joined the team at Cruden Building in Glasgow, while the other 13 joining sister company Hart Builders in Edinburgh.
The four-year apprenticeship programme covers a range of skills, with bricklayers, joiners, painters and plumbers, who will be combining college training with onsite experience to gain their qualification.
It’s nearly 50 years since the company took on its first apprentices and Allan Callaghan, managing director of Cruden Building, sees its future support and investment for this career path essential.
“Through our Cruden Academy, we place a lot of emphasis on retaining and investing in our staff and we are proud to have a regular intake to our apprenticeship programme, employing the majority of our apprentices once they qualify,” he says. “There is no doubt that there is a skills shortage problem, and the construction industry as a whole, needs to play its part in tackling the issue. Collectively we must secure a skilled workforce that has the right motivation to future-proof this thriving industry.”
Andy Mallice, managing director of Hart Builders, remarks: “Cruden continues to offer one of the most sought-after apprenticeship programmes in the industry and we are pleased that through our group of companies, we can provide opportunities for young people across Scotland and not just on a regional basis. Our ‘grow your own’ approach to training and development allows us to contribute directly to the skills shortage, ensuring Scotland’s construction industry retains a highly-skilled workforce.”
One of the young new additions to the team is 17-year-old apprentice bricklayer, Andrew Wilson, who says: “I wasn’t enjoying school and my careers advisor recommended I went to a local jobs fair. As soon as I learned about the Cruden apprenticeship programme, I knew it would be a great opportunity for me. I was delighted when I was successful at my test and interview.
“My family are really proud of me and my friends are now keen to get in to construction too. I’m really looking forward to getting on site and continue to learn throughout my career.”
A holder of the Investors in People Silver and Investors in Young People Gold accreditations, the Cruden Group also runs a range of other training initiatives through its Pathways to Employment programme.
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