Joinery apprentice, Sean McCulloch, (20), who is employed by City Building and attends Queenslie Training Centre, won the Scottish finals in his respective trade at SkillBuild – the UK’s largest multi-trade competition.

The competition, which is managed by CITB, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for the construction industry, as part of its on-going work to bring new blood into the construction industry, is an annual event that sees budding construction trainees pitted against each other in their specialist skill.  Angus College in Arbroath hosted the Scottish final for the second year running.

City Building apprentice Sean from Easterhouse is currently working on Notredame Primary School in Glasgow was selected to compete in the competition after his instructor noted their considerable talent for his trade.

Commenting on winning, Sean said: “I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship with City Building and all the opportunities that come along with it.  Through them, I’ve managed to achieve this award.

Graham Paterson, Executive Director of City Building LLP, said: “We are very proud of everything that Sean has achieved as part of his apprenticeship. He is an excellent example of what can be accomplished through the City Building apprenticeship programme if you work hard.”

Winners from the Scottish final may have the opportunity to attend the three day SkillBuild UK final which will take place at the Skills Show at the NEC in Birmingham from November 14–16^th 2013. It is the culmination of 15 regional heats taking place around the UK. The UK finals will see more than 100 apprentices utilise their skills in a bid to become overall UK champion

Graeme Ogilvy, Scotland Director of CITB-Construction Skills, said:

“In addition to encouraging excellence and helping to raise standards in training, SkillBuild allows competitors to showcase their skills, helping to boost their confidence and their careers. The construction industry needs a constant pipeline of talent in order to meet the demands of the future, and SkillBuild is a great way to highlight the opportunities in the industry to other young people.”

Main sponsors for SkillBuild 2013 are British Gypsum and Crown Paints.

For more information about SkillBuild please go to www.citb.co.uk/en-GB/Careers-in-Construction/SkillBuild/

Two young Glasgow-based apprentices have been selected as part of a team of specialist tradesmen that will travel to Malawi this summer to upgrade a medical centre in the country’s capital Lilongwe.

Leading Scottish construction company City Building (Glasgow) LLP, working with Glasgow’s Lord Provost has been sending teams of its building professionals to Malawi since 2008 and this year marks the first occasion that apprentices, hired through Glasgow City Council’s Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative, have been given the opportunity to be part of the annual project.

Commonwealth apprentice painter, Lee Raeburn (18) and Commonwealth apprentice joiner, Lee Thomson, (19) both from Glasgow, were chosen to be part of the team in recognition of their high standards of work. These standards were demonstrated during an extensive application and interview process carried out by representatives of City Building and the council’s Lord Provost’s and International Office that saw more than 15 City Building apprentices apply for the coveted places on the team.

They will join the rest of the team that will travel to Malawi in September to refurbish a medical centre in the capital Lilongwe. The improvements to the facility will include new kitchen and toilet facilities, dental suite, pharmacy and laboratory.

Lee Raeburn said: “Winning a place on the Malawi Team has boosted my confidence and will be a great opportunity to give something back and make a huge difference to the community we will be helping.”

News of their inclusion in the team falls on the 200^th birthday of Scots explorer, David Livingstone, who first established links between Scotland and Malawi around 150 years ago.

Lord Provost, Sadie Docherty, said: “My office has long standing and continuing commitment to Malawi spanning nine years. I am deeply encouraged that two promising apprentices recognised for their skill will join the team. I can promise them they will make a life changing contribution to the people of Malawi.”

Lee Thomson was nominated for the trip by his instructor Ian Hazelton. He said: “I have worked with hundreds of apprentices during my tenure with City Building and Lee stands out as one of the very best.

“He is highly respected by those he works with and I would highly recommend him for the trip to Malawi so that he may share his skills with those in need.”

Mark Gillespie, Lee Raeburn’s instructor put him forward for the trip. He said: “Lee is a great team player and is always willing to help. He would be a great asset to the team going to Malawi.”

Graham Paterson, Executive Director at City Building, said: “We are very proud to include two of City Building’s hard-working apprentices to our team of skilled professionals that will travel to Malawi this summer.

“This not only demonstrates the level of confidence we have in our apprentices, it also displays our continued commitment to engage with communities beyond Scotland’s borders to help those in need.”

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For further information, please contact Julia Correia at MMM on T: +44 (0)141 221 9041 / E: julia@mmm.p

A young, Glasgow-based apprentice is hoping to add to his growing list of accolades as he prepares to attend a national construction awards ceremony later this month.

Marc McQuade (21) from Barlanark is a fourth year apprentice joiner with leading Scottish construction company City Building (Glasgow) LLP and has been shortlisted in the category of Apprentice of the Year at the prestigious Federation of Master Builder Awards, which will take place in London on Wednesday 20 March.

Marc was entered into the national awards after winning the James Birnie award for Craft Excellence, Apprentice of the Year at the 2012 Scottish Building Apprenticeship and Training Council Apprenticeship Awards, which were held in Edinburgh at the end of last year.

The award recognises apprentices from across Scotland who have demonstrated a professional attitude towards their work and shown high levels of practical skill in their chosen trade. Marc will now go up against nine other apprentices from around the UK for the chance to be named Apprentice of the Year, for which he will also receive a cash prize of £1,000 from the Federation of Master Builders.

Marc said: “I couldn’t believe it when I won the award for Apprentice of the Year in Scotland but to now be nominated for the national awards – that’s brilliant.

“I’m really enjoying my apprenticeship with City Building and all the opportunities that come along with it. Through them, I’ve managed to achieve so much more than I thought I’d be able to.”

Throughout his apprenticeship with City Building, Marc has maintained a high standard of workmanship, professionalism and dedication. He has also shown strong leadership qualities as well as an ability to work as part of a team.

Marc’s professionalism is further demonstrated through his commitment to building on his existing skills base. Having already achieved an Advanced Craft certificate in joinery and in addition to completing his SVQ Level 3, he has embarked on an HNC course in Construction Management. Through his dedication to advancing his career, Marc hopes to one day progress to a managerial position or even become a joinery lecturer.

He added: “I’ve really enjoyed working at City Building because I’ve had the chance to be involved in so many different projects, each of which have given me the opportunity to learn a variety of skills that will help me move forward in my career.”

For the last 10 years, Marc has volunteered at a local special needs primary school, East Muir, where he has played a part in fundraising events and utilised his skills to help with small maintenance jobs.

Graham Paterson, Executive Director at City Building, said: “We are very proud of everything that Marc has achieved as part of his apprenticeship with us and wish him the very best of luck for the national Federation of Master Builder awards.

“He is an excellent example of what can be accomplished through the City Building apprenticeship programme if you work hard.”

The Apprentice of the Year winner will be announced by architect and TV presenter George Clarke at the awards at the Park Plaza Westminster Bridge Hotel in London.

Seven City Building apprentices recognised at South Lanarkshire Construction Awards 2012

The efforts of apprentices from one of Scotland’s largest construction firms have been recognised at this year’s South Lanarkshire College Construction Awards.

Seven apprentices from City Building – Glasgow City Council’s arms-length construction firm – scooped individual awards and medals for outstanding work in advanced craft.

South Lanarkshire College’s Construction Awards celebrates the achievements of the college’s construction students during the 2011/12 academic season. Awards are presented for excellence in course-work and for participation in local, regional and national construction competitions.

City Building’s winners were:

• Antony McCue, 20 (Painter & Decorator)

Lincrusta Centre of Excellence Installers Award

• David Neilson, 18 (Joiner)

GHI Contracts Trophy for Most Improved Carpentry and Joinery Student

• Hossein Davryan, 21 (Plumber)

Peter King Memorial Shield for Plumbing Excellence

• Marc McQuade, 20 (Joiner)

Skillbuild Scottish Region Competition – Silver Medal

• Martin Stewart, 20 (Joiner)

Award for Excellence in Carpentry and Joinery

• Natasha Lennox, 20 (Painter & Decorator)

Skillsbuild Scottish Region – College Medal

• Rachel Kerr, 21 (Painter & Decorator)

Dulux Scottish Region Competition – College Medal

With over 450 apprentices, City Building runs the largest apprentice centre in Scotland which includes Scotland’s first ‘renewables apprenticeships’ scheme.

One of the firm’s ‘Magnificent 7’ was Hossein Davryan from Toryglen, who was employed by City Building after being made redundant from positions at three previous companies.

Cllr Paul Carey, chair of City Building, said: “With unemployment on the rise in Scotland and the rest of the UK, City Building invests a lot into its apprenticeships and training schemes to try to ensure our young people get the best opportunities.

“Continued investment in this area allows us to give dedicated apprentices like Hossein that fall victim to circumstances outwith their control, a second chance. We think all our apprentices should be extremely proud of their achievements and we wish them every success.”

Dr Graham Paterson, executive director of City Building, added: “The commitment of our young apprentices is the future of our industry in Scotland. It’s great to see so many of our apprentices recognised for their hard work and determination at this year’s awards.”

From Left Back Row – City Building Contract Manager William Dalziel, City Building Chair Cllr. Paul Carey, City Building Head of Construction and Design Jim Cooke, Cllr. Kelly, and Henry Gallagher, Construction Manager at City Building. From Left Front Row – Lucy Casey from St. Cuthbert’s Primary School, Julia Kania and Nathan Smith from St. Teresa’s, Priscilla Adupong from Saracen, and Jun Chen from Highpark.

From Left Back Row – City Building Chair Cllr. Paul Carey and Cllr. Kelly.
From Left Front Row – Lucy Casey from St. Cuthbert’s Primary School, Nathan Smith from St. Teresa’s, Priscilla Adupong from Saracen, Julia Kania from St. Teresa’s and Jun Chen from HighPark.

Pupils from St. Cuthbert’s, Saracen, St. Teresa’s and Highpark Primary Schools in north Glasgow have completed a painting project to encourage them to think about caring for the elderly in their local community.

The winning entries Lucy Casey from St. Cuthbert’s Primary School, Priscilla Adupong from Saracen, Julia Kania and Nathan Smith from St. Teresa’s and Jun Chen from Highpark.

It is hoped that the pictures will be displayed in new day care centres and supported accommodation for the elderly being built by Glasgow City Council in the Possilpark area of the city.

Pupils visited the construction site of the first day care centre at Bardowie Street in Possilpark, which is situated near to their schools. The pupils were also asked to consider health and safety when doing their drawings.

City Building – Glasgow City Council’s arms-length construction company – has apprentices working on the Bardowie Street site.

Cllr Paul Carey, chair of City Building, said: “Well done to all the children who took part: the standard of entries was very high. At City Building we want to engage with local communities of all different age groups. We want the children to have a good awareness of what’s going on near their schools and to think about health and safety as well as the elderly.”

Cllr Chris Kelly, from the Canal Ward, said: “The winners showed real talent with the paintbrush as well as a thorough understanding of the issues raised by this initiative. The work at Bardowie Street is one of the biggest projects this part of Glasgow has seen so we are delighted to promote awareness in this way.”

City Building employs around 500 young people through its apprenticeship programme, with many of them delivering services in kind to local primary schools, community facilities and other groups through its Apprentice Community Projects scheme.

The initiative enables apprentices to use their skills in painting, joinery and roofing to play a proactive part in improving the lives of their local communities.

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“Sense Scotland CEO Andy Kerr with some of the people the charity supports at the disused print works which City Building is set to transform.”

Sense Scotland’s TouchBase Glasgow resource will grow in size with £430k regeneration of derelict print works in Kinning Park, Glasgow

GLASGOW—October 01, 2012

City Building has been awarded a contract worth £430,000 to convert a disused print works into an arts centre for charity Sense Scotland.

The 7,577 sq. ft. building, at 47 Middlesex Street, Glasgow, will house a new events space, gallery, and four arts and crafts studios. The three-storey project will link directly to the charity’s existing TouchBase centre, located next door.

Due for completion by January 2013, the expansion will allow Sense Scotland – which works with disabled children and adults who have communication support needs – to increase its range of services and activities on offer. It will help more disabled people access the opportunities which TouchBase offers.

Part-funding for the project has come from the Scottish Government’s Enterprise Growth Fund, which contributed £170,000 to the total cost. The remainder is provided by Legacy gifts from Sense Scotland donors and Resource Telecom Group, which will provide in-kind bespoke telecoms systems for the new building.

New kitchen units used in the development are to be supplied by Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi), a supported facility for the visually impaired which is operated by City Building.

RSBi specialises in manufacturing a wide range of furniture products, as well as being dedicated to making a difference in the community.

City Building builders, joiners, electricians, plumbers, heating engineers, plasterers, painters and lift installation engineers will be employed on the refurbishment, which is expected to take 18 weeks to complete.

They will demolish an existing stair tower and install a new lift as well as electrics and plumbing into the brick building. Two new staircases will also be installed, and all doors and windows are to be replaced with ones of a modern standard.

Sense Scotland is a national charity which works in partnership to support and promote the interests of children, young people and adults who have communication support needs because of deafblindness, sensory impairment, learning or physical disability.

The charity is committed to supporting disabled people to live independently, communicate and fulfil their own ambitions.

Cllr Paul Carey, chair of City Building, said: “City Building has an excellent track record of delivering first-class building projects. We are delighted to be working in partnership with Sense Scotland to deliver what is a hugely valuable contract for their continuing development in Glasgow.”

Dr Graham Paterson, executive director of City Building, added: “All trades will be involved in the Middlesex Street development, so the finished product will be something the business can be extremely proud of.

“Our work with RSBi means many of our staff have knowledge of the problems facing people like those helped by Sense Scotland. This is incredibly worthwhile work and will turn a disused building into something the people who use it can enjoy for many years to come.”

Andy Kerr, CEO of Sense Scotland, said: “The original TouchBase resource offers invaluable support throughout the year for disabled people and their families, with fully accessible day support, evening clubs, music, art, drama and outdoor activities.

“The new resource, in the building adjoining TouchBase, will expand and develop these activities enabling even more people to choose the kind of support they are looking for, tailored to meet their interests and aspirations.”

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Along with Maryhill Housing Association we have signed a contract signalling the go ahead for the multi million pound development at Maryhill Locks.

The £16m contract win for us forms part of an overall 18 month programme for Maryhill Housing Association, not only breathing new life into 18 hectares in the North West of the City but also in bringing new apprenticeships and local jobs to the area.

Phase 2 of the project will see 106 new homes built to rent, 19 units for shared equity and one commercial unit. Maryhill Housing Association is offering the shared equity scheme which means buyers can become full owners, but purchase only the percentage of the property they are able to afford.

The development sees us continue our successful track record in the new build housing sector. Over the course of the contract around 14 apprentices and seven new entrant employees will begin work with us as a result of this development.

The kitchens and timber kit frames will be locally sourced and provided by our manufacturing division Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi), which is one of Europe’s largest assisted workshops employing 240 people at our facility here in Springburn, Glasgow. The houses will also feature a range of modern and sustainable technologies, including high efficiency boilers and Solar PV systems.

Cllr Paul Carey, chair ofCityBuilding, said: “We are delighted to be officially signing the contract for the next phase of this exciting venture. Maryhill Locks is a landmark project forGlasgow. It fits in with our ambition to work with local communities and adding value through local jobs.

“We have an excellent track record of working in partnership with housing associations, the public, private and third sectors to deliver first-class building projects.”

Willy Briody, chief executive of Maryhill Housing Association, said: “This is another important step forward in the Maryhill Locks project. Working together with our partners we are bringing real change to this area of Maryhill by building new housing and creating a place where people will want to live.”

We were appointed on the recommendation of independent consultants Turner + Townsend, which was responsible for fully evaluating the tender submissions received following a public procurement process.

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It looks like being the ultimate form of recycling. Loos, taps, pipes and sinks are among some of the items from the refurbishment of three Glasgow schools that have been donated to help primary schools in West Africa.

We are currently undertaking refurbishment work at St Joseph’s, Kelburn and Thornwood Primary Schools and Campbell Blades – a member of the company’s mechanical services team undertaking the work – didn’t want to see the sanitary-ware go to waste and decided to see what he could do with it.

He was familiar with the work of Scotia Aid – Sierra Leone, a Scotland-based charity which helps schools in the West African state improve the education and learning opportunities of children and young people.

The removed sanitary-ware from the toilets at all three schools will be thoroughly cleaned up and shipped to Sierra Leone in August before being installed in a boys and girls school in the town of Kabala in the Northern Province.

As many schoolteachers in Sierra Leone travel long distances to get to work, some of the items will also be used in the staff living quarters.

Cllr Paul Carey, chair of City Building, said: “Helping to build sustainable communities is a key focus of what we deliver in Scotland so we’re delighted to have the opportunity to do this in West Africa.”

Campbell Blades said: “There is usually a lot that can be recycled when undertaking a refurbishment. We try to send as little to landfill as we can by offering anything that is in good condition and can be used again to local community projects in Scotland.

“I’m glad to see items that may have gone to waste get a new life in a place where they will be needed. We hope they make a real difference to the staff and children at the schools.”

Lorraine Higgins, international school partnership co-ordinator at Scotia Aid, said: “We communicate closely with our colleagues in Sierra Leone to make sure we only source what is needed, when it is needed. The donations from City Building have come at a time when we are in desperate need of items for the primary schools we are developing.

“Through its networks, City Building has also helped us to find a number of other items that have already been sent over. We’re very grateful for their support.”

In addition to the donated sanitary ware, we also helped the charity source items from desks to gym equipment from Ruchill, St Cuthbert’s, Westercommon and Craigholme Primary Schools as well as Springburn Nursery School.

For more information on Scotia Aid – Sierra Leone, please visit: www.scotiaaid-sierraleone.org.uk or call 01698 845850.

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City Building has announced the appointment of Dr. Graham Paterson as its new Executive Director.

Dr. Paterson, previously Director of Operations at the company, began his employment with the then building services department of Glasgow City Council as an apprentice joiner.

He has risen through the company and managed many significant construction projects from the building of 23 Primary Schools in Glasgow, to securing the significant GHA Repairs and Maintenance contract in 2009 through to the major refurbishment of Commonwealth House, the home of the Glasgow 2014 team.

Cllr. Paul Carey, Chair said: “Graham’s passion for the continued success of City Building shone through and his commitment to securing sustainable employment for the 2000 employees is his top priority.”

Dr. Paterson said: “I am honoured and humbled to be appointed and give my commitment to the workforce, including our many apprentices, that working together we can secure growth for the company and go on from strength to strength.”

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We have won two contracts worth a combined £7m to repair and maintain 3,000 properties owned by North Glasgow Housing Association (NGHA).

The contracts will provide a full repair and maintenance, and gas inspection and maintenance service to the Award Winning Housing Associations’ properties in the North of the City for the next three years and will build on the existing relationship between North Glasgow HA and ourselves.

The two companies share the same social ethos for the provision of employment and training opportunities and the award of this contract will facilitate work placements and apprenticeships for the residents of the Housing Association and the local area.

These will provide an opportunity to experience the construction industry through on-site training programmes and to gain experience of a real working environment.

We will begin work on 1 August 2012. Both contracts will run for three years.

NGHA was formed for the benefit of the community in 1976 to prevent further decline in the area and start building a new future. Its governing body comprises local people to serve the best interests of the community.

Robert Tamburrini, director of North Glasgow Housing Association, said: “We chose City Building because they offer a consistently high level of service. In addition, these contracts will provide real employment benefits for the local community.”

A recent recipient of the Queen’s Award for Sustainable Development, we train more than 450 apprentices each year with skills such as painting and decorating, joinery, plumbing, electrical, roofing and construction operations.

Cllr Paul Carey, chair, said: “We are delighted to be signing these three-year contracts with NGHA, which cements our strong working relationship. This contract also gives us the chance to make a positive contribution to the economy in the north of the city.”

Dr. Graham Paterson, managing director, added: “Our partnership with NGHA is an excellent example of added value through commitment to community benefits in procurement.”

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