Scottish Academy Construction Opportunities - Comhairle Nan Eilean Siar

"This is a joint Island venture with the Western Isles, Shetland and Orkney local authorities. As island groupings with more than 80% of micro employers, anticipated levels of high unemployment, an aging population and an aging workforce, support with recruitment, accreditation and training is commonly reported to be an increasing problem. The Island employers need to encourage people to live, earn and learn locally. Across the islands, the demand for construction skills aligned to a just transition to net zero and wider environmental/sustainability will be critical to reach the commitments set out in the Islands Growth Deal.  Key projects that will require increased access to construction skills from 2023-2033 include: Orkney Islands Centre for Net Zero, Orkney Research and Innovation Campus Phase 2, World Heritage Site Gateway Project, Scapa Flow Future Fuels Hub, Creative Islands Wellbeing, Transmission Cable and Community Wind Farm projects. Shetland Dales Voe Decommissioning, Saxa Vord Space Centre, Hydrogen and Offshore Wind Developments, Sandveien Redevelopment, Energy Isles Wind Farm, Staney Hill Housing, New Gilbert Bain Hospital, Fair Isle Ferry Western Isles Deep Water Port, Stornoway Primary, HHP Housing, Lochmaddy Uist Ferry Port, Barra and Vatersay Community Campus, Water supply Upgrade, Wind Farm expansion,,Spaceport – Uist
Along with the many capital works that have been identified, there are a large volume of repairs, maintenance, house building and smaller commercial builds. As the islands are experiencing an influx of tourism the islands infrastructure needs upgrading. Without new major investment into new people into the construction industry we are going to reach crisis point. Funding opportunities like this are pivotal to the future success of our economy and communities. A training officer will be assigned to work with the individuals and the employers and the project will aim to have identified buddies on each site who can work with the participants and be that person who shows them the ropes and gives them a better understanding of the roles within construction. Experienced Apprentices are often good models for shadowing new entrants as they are fresh enough to remember what it is like to be the new person and have enough experience to give them valuable advice and guidance. "