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City Building paves the way for employee growth with further education opportunities

Posted On November 15, 2023 By Lynne Deazely In News /  7

Leading Glasgow based construction firm, City Building, has increased female participation in its trailblazing further education programme by 66% in the last twelve months.

One of Scotland’s largest construction companies, they offer a range of further education opportunities for staff across the business, from apprenticeship opportunities to HNC and degree level learning.

A focus in encouraging more females into further education whilst working is a key objective of the firm that is an industry leader in equality.

In March 2022, City Building launched its first-ever working group dedicated to boosting female representation within the company.

And already the results of this work is bearing fruits with the apprentice recruitment programme in 2023 having 16% of new starts being women compared with Scotland wide sitting at 2.7% and 8% were minority ethnic compared with 1.6% of the Scottish construction sector.

A shining example of this dual-focus to give its female staff the tools to develop, is Louise Allan, a Customer Liaison Co-ordinator who joined City Building 20 years ago.

During her two decades with the firm, she has undertaken multiple further learning opportunities with the firm, including a HND in Leadership Management and SVQ in Construction Management. Louise recently embarked on a transformative journey by enrolling in the prestigious BA (Hons) in Business Management at Glasgow Caledonian University.

Louise said: “City Building have always been so supportive throughout my journey with them, always. I felt really disengaged at school and didn’t really have an interest in carrying on my studies after I left. I wanted to get stuck into a job and earn money.

“When I was offered the opportunity to earn and learn with City Building it was an easy yes. By this point, I had some practical experience behind me and was able to make a really well informed decision on what I wanted to study and the direction I wanted my career to go in.”

On top of working full time, Louise has balanced her studies with raising a young family. On her ability to juggle her personal and professional life with her education, Louise said: “I’m lucky that if I need time to complete coursework or study, all have to do is ask for it.

“Because so many people go on to pursue further education with the support of City Building, I have a great support system of peers to rely on. I can get advice from people who have previously undertaken the same courses as me and talk through any challenges I face with the coursework.”

Currently, 20% of City Building employees are undertaking further education opportunities with the firm.

The firm offers a wide range of further education opportunities throughout the business, suitable for a range of career paths, including HNC programmes in Business, Building Surveying and Construction Management , BA (Hons) in Business management and Diplomas in Architecture and People Management.

Reflecting on her experience applying to her current course, Lousie added: “The application process was super straight forward – I first heard about the different opportunities at City Building through word of mouth. It’s an ingrained part of the company – I don’t think people realise this it not something other firms offer for their staff.

“I sat down with a member of the learning department, and they were upfront about what the course would entail. I knew it would be a challenge for me, but I also knew that the support was there to make sure that I succeeded.

“Taking part in further education has changed my perceptions of what I think I can achieve. I want to use my degree. I currently work within the customer side of the business, and I want to use my degree to progress and leave a lasting impact on City Building’s customer service delivery.

“My biggest piece of advice to someone looking to go back into education would be to speak to your peers who have done it and get a realistic view of what it takes. I had this preconception that it would take hundreds of hours and eat in to my family time – that’s just not the case.

“City Building has been so supportive throughout this whole experience – they really do see the value in supporting its staff through further education. You need to just go for it. You never know where it might take you.”

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Lynne Deazely

All articles by: Lynne Deazely

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Latest news

  • City Building apprentices launch fundraiser as 2025 applications opens April 14, 2025
  • City Building Supports Over Fifty Charities Across Glasgow April 1, 2025
  • City Building apprentices score with renovations at FAREPLay Stepford – Home to Easterhouse Football Academy February 6, 2025
  • Glasgow construction supervisor documents cancer diagnosis as part of awareness campaign November 20, 2024
  • Congratulatory Motion Lodged At Scottish Parliament By Annie Wells MSP November 14, 2024

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Our Awards

2024
  • Customer Service Excellence
  • Natural Stone Awards 2024
  • ARCA Diamond Award - Decade of Excellence
  • The Trades House of Glasgow Prestigious Apprentice Award 2024

2023
  • Platinum Award for Continuous Achievement - ARCA Gold Site Audit Award
  • Customer Service Excellence

2022
  • Customer Service Excellence
  • Best Diversity and Inclusion Dynamic in the Workplace - Herald Top Employer Awards
  • Best Apprenticeship and Graduate Programme - Herald Top Employer Awards
  • Commendation for Best Training and Skills Development Programme - Herald Top Employer Awards
  • Investor in Young People (IYP) - Platinum Accreditation
  • Heating Contractor of the Year - ASCP UK Awards

2021
  • The Queen's Award for Enterprise: Promoting Opportunity 2021
  • Gas Contractor of the Year - ASCP UK Awards

2020
  • National Federation of Roofing Contractors (NFRC) Health and Safety Awards 2020 - Gold Award
  • Screwfix Apprentice of the Year - Chris Keel

2019
  • Lady McDonald Recognition Award - Plasterer Apprentice of the Year - Brian Wilson
  • Ministry of Defence ERS Scheme Gold Award
  • HR Network National Awards Diversity and Inclusion Company of the Year
  • HR Network National Awards Organisational Development Award of the Year
  • HR Network National Awards CEO of the Year
  • HR Network National Awards Outstanding Contribution to Scottish HR
  • UK Construction Industry Apprenticeship Initiative of the Year
  • UK Construction Industry Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Initiative of the Year
  • Ministry of Defence Gold Award for defence friendly employers
  • Customer Service Excellence Award
  • The Inspire Awards – Most Inspiring UK Employer
  • UK Gas Contractor of the Year – ASCP UK Awards
  • UK Best Initiative to Combat Fuel Poverty – ASCP UK Awards, joint winner with our colleagues from Wheatley Group

2018
  • Queens Award for Enterprise - Sustainable Development
  • World skills UK Apprentice Decorator of the year - Aiden Dearie
  • Glasgow Business Awards - Best Healthy and Active workplace
  • Glasgow Business Awards - Best Company for Sustainable Development
  • Glasgow Guarantee Construction Apprentice of the Year - Jack Henning
  • Glasgow Guarantee Challenge Recognition Award - Connor Hamilton
  • Customer Service Excellence
  • ARCA (Asbestos removal contractors association) - Gold
  • Investors in young people - Gold

2017
  • Glasgow Business Awards - Green Champions The Environmental Team - Winner
  • Glasgow Guarantee - Fairer Employer - Winner
  • Glasgow Guarantee - Apprentice Challenge Jon McGrattan - Winner
  • Glasgow Guarantee - Best Apprentice in Construction - Phoebe Ali - Winner
  • Herald - GenAnalytics Diversity - Recruitment of Talents - Winner
  • Herald - GenAnalytics Diversity -Youth Employment - Winner
  • HR NATIONAL Network - Best Employer/Workplace - Winner
  • HR NATIONAL Network - Corporate Responsibility - Winner
  • Johnstone's Trade - UK Young Decorator of the Year Lisa Murphy - Winner
  • EFQM Recognised for Excellence 4 stars Award
  • SkillBuild Scotland Painting and Decorating Senior Aiden Dearie - Winner

2014
  • Business Apprenticeship Construction Award

2013
  • Apprentice Sean McCulloch - Regional SkillBuild Award

2012
  • The Queens Award for Enterprise:Sustainable Development 2012
  • Glasgow Business Awards 2012 Equality and Diversity Winner
  • Winner of CAI Construction Apprentice of the Year
  • Winner of CAI Challenge Award

2011
  • Vibes Award
  • Scottish Business Award for Corporate Responsibility

2010
  • Johnston Leyland Young Decorator of the Year
  • Trades House Apprentice of the Year
  • LGC Award for Equalities and Diversity

2009
  • James Birnie Craft Excellence Apprentice of the Year
  • Glasgow Business Diversity Award
  • Glasgow Flourish Award for Increasing Access to Lifelong Learning
  • GO Excellence in Procurement Corporate Social
  • Responsibility
  • Best Green Company

2008
  • Federation of Master Builders National Apprentice of the Year
  • STUC Helen Downie Award for Lifelong Learning
  • COSLA Securing a Workforce for the future

City Building

City Building is a highly successful and evolving business which has a proven track record of strategic delivery within the commercial marketplace.

Latest news

  • City Building apprentices launch fundraiser as 2025 applications opens April 14, 2025
  • City Building Supports Over Fifty Charities Across Glasgow April 1, 2025
  • City Building apprentices score with renovations at FAREPLay Stepford – Home to Easterhouse Football Academy February 6, 2025

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    Glasgow G21 4BA
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