Back to school for CGC

Citygate Construction went back to school this week and gave top marks to pupils choosing their future careers.

CGC was among a number of employers who took part in the “I Can Do Anything Conference” at St Andrew’s Academy in Paisley.

CGC was the only construction firm to take part and the aim was to offer advice on picking rewarding careers in construction.

The company’s Senior Estimator Alison Joyce and Timber Preservation Manager Jim Barrie both attended and offered tips and useful advice about working in construction and what to expect.

The event was organised for the second year pupils to provide a helping hand as they focus later this year on choosing subjects to study which will define what careers they eventually pick.

Alison said: “We were very impressed by the young people and their focus on picking the right career. They were a credit to St Andrew’s Academy and were very

well informed about the opportunities open to them. CGC was very pleased to be involved.”

Jim added: “We were able to explain the different options that a career in construction can offer. We also found many pupils had family members working in areas related to construction such as electricians, joinery and plumbing. They had plenty of questions and showed a real interest in making the right career choice.”

CGC Director Ronnie McDowell said: “As a Renfrewshire business this was an ideal opportunity for us to help local school pupils. We were very pleased indeed to take up St Andrew’s Academy’s kind offer to talk to the pupils and hope our visit made a difference.”

CGC supports young people through its much-admired Apprenticeship Programme which provides a firm grounding in construction work.

Apprentices’ learning involves college work and workplace training to equip them with the skills needed for a successful construction career.

Most of the apprentices taken on by CGC remain with the company and go on to take up full-time jobs. CGC is strongly committed to helping young people forge career paths in construction and has pledged to keep on running its apprenticeship programme indefinitely.