Alan (18), former pupils of Hillhead High School in Glasgow’s West End, left school at Xmas 2004 and joined the Pre-Vocational Construction Course at the National Construction College Scotland (NCCS) in Hillington. Run as a pilot and funded by Scottish Enterprise, the course was a partnership between the NCCS and CITB-ConstructionSkills and over the next six months Alan learned the basics in concrete work, block paving, pipe laying, plant operation, ceiling fixing and built-up felt roofing.
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Robert Gillespie, Managing Director of G&R Contracts (Scotland) Ltd, based at Torrance, East Dunbartonshire said: “I have over 50 employees and was looking for an apprentice for drainage and concrete works. I contacted CITB-ConstructionSkills and interviewed a number of candidates from the course but Alan came across really well at interview stage and he got the job. With his insight into the industry he was a great asset to me and could be given jobs to do with the minimum of instruction.
He added: “He’s quick to learn, keen, enthusiastic and makes friends easily and in the first year of his training was a prize winner at the 2006 NCCS Awards Ceremony so as a reward I offered to pay for driving lessons for him.”
Alan commented: “I signed up for 20 lessons, passed my test first time and when I told Robert he gave me a £500 bonus.”
“I like to reward enthusiasm” Robert said, “Investing in Alan’s development brings its own rewards and to date he is performing well at college and on site.”
(CD)
