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Two Highland teenagers awarded apprenticeships through Scottish Prison Service fund





Callum and Luke.
Callum and Luke.

TWO Highland teenagers have been awarded construction apprenticeships thanks to a new partnership led by the Scottish Prison Service (SPS).

The pair will be helping with the build of the first new prison in the Highlands for more than a century. It is part of an innovative new partnership with the charity Barnardo’s, to use the development to support local youngsters, and leave a lasting legacy in the region.

SPS and contractor Balfour Beatty, who are working together on the new prison, have formed the HMP Highland Community Benefit Plan, which is aimed at ensuring the investment has a lasting benefit for the area and people living there.

Callum and Luke – two school leavers from the Highlands – had achieved National 4 and 5 qualifications, but then struggled to find work. Both were keen to secure employment in the construction industry, so through the Fund they were supported to undertake a Six Weeks to Trades programme with Barnado's and the Scottish Academy for Construction Opportunities (SACO). Here, they both achieved qualifications in Health and Safety, core SQA units, and attained their Construction Skills Certification Scheme card.

In addition to formal qualifications, Callum and Luke were provided with the opportunity to take part in site visits with G&A Barnie, a local construction firm working on the new prison; they each got an opportunity to interview for the business and were successful.

Both Callum and Luke have now started their full-time paid positions, and will be supporting the off-site manufacturing of pipes, and mechanical and electrical packages, for HMP Highland.

Gordon McCauley, SPS operational advisor for HMP Highland, said: “The SPS and HMP Highland Project team are thrilled that through our Community Benefits plan, we were able to nurture strong partnerships with our supply chain and community agencies with a view of creating a lasting legacy.

“It is great to see this work has already borne fruit with the creation of job opportunities, especially with these two apprenticeships through the engagement with Barnardo’s and G&A Barnie.”

Anne Walker, service manager at Barnardo’s Works Highland & Moray, added: “Working with local and national employers, and being involved in projects such HMP Highland, offers Barnardo's Works the opportunity for partnership and collaborative working which adds tremendous value and benefit to the work we do to prepare our young people for the world of work.

“By building these positive relationships with our stakeholders, and with their support, we can engage our young people in meaningful work placement opportunities.”


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