Apprentices at City Building, Scotland’s largest construction services business, have renovated FAREPlay Stepford interiors, the home of Easterhouse Football Academy, as part of a project designed to help them grow their skills and contribute to local communities.
Easterhouse Football Academy has more than 400 registered players and offers a pathway into football for boys and girls from the age of four upwards.
The apprentice painter and decorators brushed up on their techniques by repainting key areas of the facility, including the changing rooms, bathrooms, internal corridors, reception, and communal areas.
Their work has created a fresh and welcoming environment for players and staff alike and ensures that children of all backgrounds can enjoy football in a setting that fosters inclusion and positivity.
The initiative was delivered as part of City Building’s community benefits and engagement programme, which encourages apprentices to contribute local initiatives while gaining valuable experience in managing their own projects.
It was also supported by City Building supplier, GAP, which donated materials. The collaboration underlines City Building’s responsible business practices and commitment to having a positive impact on the communities where it lives and works.
Frank McCafferty, interim CEO, City Building, said:
“We are incredibly proud of our apprentices for their outstanding work at FAREPlay Stepford. They carried out the renovation with minimal supervision, growing their trades skills and learning more about customer service at the same time.
“This project demonstrates the unique social ethos behind City Building and our dedication to delivering transformational services that improve lives and create opportunity for our customers, colleagues and communities.”
Easterhouse Football Academy is based at FAREplay Stepford, formerly Stepford Sports Park, in the east end, which has been operated by Easterhouse social enterprise FARE Scotland since 2023. The charity took over the sport and leisure centre as part of its aim of enabling everyone to pursue an active lifestyle, regardless of age, circumstance and ability.
Karen Galbraith, governance and operations manager, FARE Scotland:
“We are grateful to City Building and GAP for their support. The work carried out by the apprentices has revitalised and transformed the FAREPlay Stepford. As we continue to grow and welcome new players, this timely project ensures that our facility is a space where every child feels welcomed and valued.”
City Building’s apprenticeship programme is the largest of its kind in Scotland, employing more than 250 apprentices across various trades. With a qualification success rate exceeding 90%, the programme is addressing the construction skills gap as well as maintaining City Building’s talent pipeline.
Apprentices are trained at City Building’s own state-of-the-art training college, which provides a comprehensive curriculum designed to equip them with the skills required to excel in their careers. City Building employs a greater than average proportion of female, minority ethnic and care experienced craft apprentices, and almost 14% of its workforce identifies as female compared with an industry average of 10%.
