Scotland

See details of local industry events, support, networks and contact information
CITB Advisers can support you in diagnosing skills gaps, advising on apprenticeships, legislation and training, as well as signposting you to other sources of help and advice. Find their contact information in the location links below:
Contact your CITB customer engagement adviser
Claire Gordon
Tel: 07500 992339
Email: claire.gordon@citb.co.uk
Support to grow your business
Aberdeen Business Boosters
Aberdeen City Council currently runs a number of Business Growth workshops to assist local companies.
See local events for Aberdeen Business Boosters
Skills Development Scotland
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) helping people achieve career success and supporting businesses with their goals and growth.
myworldofwork.co.uk - The help you need for the career you want.
ourskillsforce.co.uk - Making skills work for employers.
apprenticeships.scot - Find an apprenticeship. Recruit an apprentice.
sds.co.uk - Making skills work for Scotland.
Department of Work and Pensions
Jobcentre Plus provides resources to enable job-searchers to find work in construction, through Jobpoints (touch-screen computer terminals), Jobseeker Direct (telephone service) and the Jobcentre Plus website.
Twitter: @JCPinNorthScot
Help to train, recruit and retain your staff
The Aberdeenshire Training Allowance
The Aberdeenshire Training Allowance is delivered by Aberdeenshire Council and is part of the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind (NOLB) funding stream. Which aims to provide the right support for people requiring additional support to participate in the labour market; for disabled people and other equality groups experiencing disadvantage in the labour market; and for people who need a second chance to find and sustain work. The Scottish Government believes that delivering this agenda is vital to ensure a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The scheme lasts for 26 weeks and will provide employers with a £4000 grant for training in the workplace (split into 3 instalments at 4 weeks, 13 weeks and 26 weeks). Participants will receive regular one-to-one support from an Employment Support Team key worker along with an assessment of their immediate and future skills needs.
Application forms can be obtained from The Employment Support Team
- Email: Employmentsupportteam@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
- Telephone: 01467 533058
- Address:
The Employment Support Team
Aberdeenshire Council
Gordon House, Blackhall Road
Inverurie, AB51 4SS
Training groups
Grampian Construction Training Group
Contact: Fiona Main
Group Administrator
Please note I am in the office Tuesday-Thursday 9.30am-4.00pm
- Tel: 01224 226902
- Email: admin@gctg.info
Shetland Construction Training Group
Contact: Fiona Stirling
Group Training Officer
- Tel: 01957 702239
- Mobile: 0774 8757105
- Web: www.shetctg.co.uk
Highland Construction Training Group
Contact: Winnie
- Tel: 07824 559093
- Email: hctg.highland@gmail.com
- Website: www.hctg.net
Contact your CITB customer engagement adviser
Laura Stoddart
Tel: 07787 005214
Email: laura.stoddart@citb.co.uk
Support to grow your business
Aberdeen Business Boosters
Aberdeen City Council currently runs a number of Business Growth workshops to assist local companies.
See local events for Aberdeen Business Boosters
Skills Development Scotland
Skills Development Scotland (SDS) helping people achieve career success and supporting businesses with their goals and growth.
myworldofwork.co.uk – The help you need for the career you want.
ourskillsforce.co.uk – Making skills work for employers.
apprenticeships.scot – Find an apprenticeship. Recruit an apprentice.
sds.co.uk – Making skills work for Scotland.
Department of Work and Pensions
Jobcentre Plus provides resources to enable job-searchers to find work in construction, through Jobpoints (touch-screen computer terminals), Jobseeker Direct (telephone service) and the Jobcentre Plus website.
Twitter @JCPinNorthScot
Help to train, recruit and retain your staff
The Aberdeenshire Training Allowance
The Aberdeenshire Training Allowance is delivered by Aberdeenshire Council and is part of the Scottish Government’s No One Left Behind (NOLB) funding stream which aims to provide the right support for people requiring additional support to participate in the labour market; for disabled people and other equality groups experiencing disadvantage in the labour market; and for people who need a second chance to find and sustain work. The Scottish Government believes that delivering this agenda is vital to ensure a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
The scheme lasts for 26 weeks and will provide employers with a £4000 grant for training in the workplace (split into 3 instalments at 4 weeks, 13 weeks and 26 weeks). Participants will receive regular one-to-one support from an Employment Support Team key worker along with an assessment of their immediate and future skills needs.
Application forms can be obtained from The Employment Support Team
- Email: Employmentsupportteam@aberdeenshire.gov.uk
- Telephone: 01467 533058
- Address:
The Employment Support Team
Aberdeenshire Council
Gordon House, Blackhall Road
Inverurie, AB51 4SS
Training groups
Grampian Construction Training Group
Contact: Fiona Main
Group Administrator
Please note I am in the office Tuesday -Thursday 9.30am-4.00pm
- Tel: 01224 226902
- Email: admin@gctg.info
Shetland Construction Training Group
Contact: Fiona Stirling
Group Training Officer
- Tel: 01957 702239 Mobile: 0774 8757105
- Web: www.shetctg.co.uk
Highland Construction Training Group
Contact: Winnie
- Tel: 07824 559093
- Email: hctg.highland@gmail.com
- Website: www.hctg.net
Contact your local CITB advisor
Alastair Melvin
Tel: 07834 941284
Email: alastair.melvin@citb.co.uk
Contact your local CITB apprenticeship team
Support to grow your business
Argyll and Bute Business Gateway
Business Gateway Argyll and Bute offers free and impartial business advice to anyone wanting to start up or develop a business within the area.
www.bgateway.com/local-offices/argyll-and-bute/local-support
Support and services to help you recruit and train staff
Skills Development Scotland promotes skills for business through its website Our Skills Force, with tailored support for your business.
Argyll and Bute Council provide regular alerts on new funding opportunities for businesses.
www.argyll-bute.gov.uk/community-life-and-leisure/new-months-funding-alert
Training groups in your area
Argyll Construction Training Group
Construction employers in the Argyll area
Key contact: Aileen Nicholson (argylltraininggroup@gmail.com)
Chair of the group: Gillies Brown (gillies@jbstrone.co.uk)
Support for your business
Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) West Lothian links schools and employers.
West Lothian employers who are looking to engage with local schools or recruit apprentices in their local area can contact Arlene Nicol through their website.
Edinburgh Business Gateway can help with advice, support and training for businesses.
Support for training and recruiting staff
Heriot Watt University in Edinburgh offer fully funded graduate apprenticeships in Civil Engineering and Construction and the Built Environment. For more information contact Derek Thomson through their website.
Edinburgh’s Employer Recruitment Incentive (EERI) is a limited amount of funding through Scottish Governments ‘No One Left Behind’ 2019/20 funding stream. The fund supports unemployed people with the greatest barriers to employment find meaningful jobs, including Modern Apprenticeships.
Training groups in your area
Dunedin Construction Training Group
- Area coverage: Contactors in Edinburgh and the Borders area
- Key contact: Audrey Paterson (audrey_paterson@btconnect.com)
Mobile: 07837 738654
Chair of the group: Callum Smith (callum@callumjoinery.com) - Website: www.dunedin-construction-training-group.co.uk
Building Contractors Training Group (BCTG)
- Website: www.bctg.uk.com
Scottish Specialist Contractors Training Committee (SSCTC)
- Area coverage: Specialist contractors throughout Scotland
- Key contact: Ralph Russell (ralph.russell08@hotmail.co.uk)
Chair of the group: Ian Main (ian.main@ogilvie.co.uk) - Website: www.ssctc.co.uk
Scottish Civils Training Group (SCTG)
- Area coverage: Civil engineering contractors across Scotland
- Key contact: Teri Urquhart or Jenny MacIver (info@scottishcivilstraining.co.uk)
- Chair of the group: Alan Kirkwood (akirkwood@georgeleslie.co.uk)
- Website: www.scottishcivilstraining.co.uk
Contact your CITB customer engagement adviser
James (Jim) Halliday
Tel: 07876 847012
Email: james.halliday@citb.co.uk
Support for your business
Business Gateway Dumfries and Galloway
The business gateway is part of the national growth Hub network.
You can access expert support, diagnostic services, signposting and free workshops to help your business growth. Get in touch to speak to an adviser.
- Website: https://www.bgateway.com/local-offices/dumfries-and-galloway/local-support
- Tel: 01387 808738
- Email: neil.johnstone@dumgal.gov.uk
Skills Development Scotland (SDS)
SDS has set out how it will enable people, mobilise employers and collectively create a more dynamic, responsive skills system, towards achieving our shared ambition for Scotland. Contact numbers for specific areas are:
- Dumfries - 01387 272500
- Newton Stewart and Stranraer - 01776 889 793
- Hawick, Galashiels and Kelso – 0800 9178000
D&G Construction Forum
The forum has established itself and caters for the Dumfries and Galloway region, for likeminded employers and business owners to come together and discuss ongoing regional issues within the Construction industry, it also provides a good networking platform.
- Justin Thomas (DYWDG) – 07715 676713
- justin.thomas@dywdg.co.uk
- David Roan – 01387 272676
- d.roan@ashleigh-scot.co.uk
Training groups in your area
- Area coverage: Construction employers in the Dumfries area
- Key contact: Ian Wells (ian@ianwellsconsultancy.co.uk)
- Chair of the group: Les Shearer (l.shearer@ashleigh-scot.co.uk)
Please contact the group co-ordinator for full details of available training programmes and other group activities.
Contact your CITB customer engagement adviser
Graham S Donachie
Tel: 07770 447416
Email: graham.donachie@citb.co.uk
Support for your business
Business Gateways
The business gateway is part of the national growth Hub network.
You can access expert support, diagnostic services, signposting and free workshops to help your business growth. Get in touch to speak to an adviser.
Angus:
- Website: https://www.bgateway.com/local-offices/angus/local-support
- Address: City Quay Business Centre
27-28 Camperdown Street
Dundee
DD1 3JA - Tel: 01382 848 275
Fife:
- Website: https://www.bgateway.com/local-offices/fife/local-support
- Address: Glenrothes main office
Saltire House
Pentland Park
Glenrothes
KY6 2AL - Tel: 01592 857 902
Skills Development Scotland (SDS)
SDS has set out how it will enable people, mobilise employers and collectively create a more dynamic, responsive skills system, towards achieving our shared ambition for Scotland.
For example:
- Flexible Workforce Fund, for all areas where we have Apprentice Levy paying contractors
- Regional Skills Assessments and other useful documents
- Skills For Growth
Support for training and retaining staff in your area
There are offices for the Developing the Young Workforce programme in your area:
Training groups in your area
There are two established Training Groups in the area.
Contact your local customer engagement adviser
Cat McFarlane
Tel: 07799 581034
Email: catriona.mcfarlane @citb.co.uk
Support for your business
Business Gateways
The business gateway is part of the national growth Hub network.
You can access expert support, diagnostic services, signposting and free workshops to help your business growth. See details on your area website and get in touch to speak to an adviser.
Supplier Development Programme
If you’re a Scottish SME or third sector organisation interested in working with the public sector, this website can help. The Supplier Development Programme offers expert training, support and information to help you win work and grow your business.
- Website: https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/
Support to help you recruit and train staff
You can access support through the Business Gateways above.
You can also get grants through Scottish Enterprise Funding
Training groups
Glasgow Painting and Decorators Training Group
- Area coverage: Painting and decorating contractors in Glasgow
- Key contact: Margaret Evans (margaret.evans@citb.co.uk)
- Chair of the group: Bill Gordon (w.gordon@premierdecorators.co.uk)
- Postal address:
c/o 4 Fountain Ave
Inchinnan
Renfrewshire
PA4 9RQ - Website: http://scottishdecorators.co.uk
See our training groups page for full details of the following groups which cover all Scotland's regions:
- Independent Roof Training Association Scotland
- National Demolition Training Group (Scotland)
- Scottish Building Contractors
- Scottish Civil Engineering Training Group
Contact your CITB customer engagement adviser
Lindajane Sutherland
Tel: 07824 456048
Email: linda.sutherland@citb.co.uk
I am the local adviser for Renfrewshire and East Renfrewshire. My role is to help CITB registered companies access grants and funding for training.
Support for your business
Business Gateways
The business gateway is part of the national growth Hub network.
You can access expert support, diagnostic services, signposting and free workshops to help your business growth. See details on your area website and get in touch to speak to an adviser.
Supplier Development Programme
If you’re a Scottish SME or third sector organisation interested in working with the public sector, this website can help. the Supplier Development Programme offers expert training, support and information to help you win work and grow your business.
- Website: https://www.sdpscotland.co.uk/
Hub West Scotland
For public-private partnerships developing community infrastructure across East Dunbartonshire; West Dunbartonshire; East Renfrewshire; Renfrewshire; Inverclyde and Glasgow City.
Support to help you recruit and train staff
Developing the Young Workforce helps your business engage with young people at school and college and tap into a pipeline of future talent.
See details for local council support in Renfrewshire:
Training groups
Glasgow Painting and Decorators Training Group
- Area coverage: Painting and decorating contractors in Glasgow
- Key contact: Margaret Evans (margaret.evans@citb.co.uk)
- Chair of the group: Bill Gordon (w.gordon@premierdecorators.co.uk)
- Postal address:
c/o 4 Fountain Ave
Inchinnan
Renfrewshire
PA4 9RQ - Website: http://scottishdecorators.co.uk
See our training groups page for full details of the following groups which cover all Scotland's regions:
- Independent Roof Training Association Scotland
- National Demolition Training Group (Scotland)
- Scottish Building Contractors
- Scottish Civil Engineering Training Group
Contact your local customer engagement adviser
Alan Duffus
Tel: 07740 073275
Email: alan.duffus@citb.co.uk
What's happening in your area
Employer network pilot
Learn more about the new 12 month initiative. Collectively employers will shape the way the funds provided by CITB are spent, and on what. And if the pilot is a success it could radically change the way training is funded by CITB.
Support for your business
Business Gateways
Business Gateway is a national business support service developed in partnership with local authorities.
You can access expert support, diagnostic services, signposting and free workshops to help start your business and your business growth. See details on your area website and get in touch to speak to an adviser.
Support for training and retaining your staff
Skills Development Scotland – Skills for Growth
SDS helps you maximise and develop your workforce. Get free consultancy and discover how best to develop your workforce with Skills for Growth.
https://www.ourskillsforce.co.uk/develop-your-workforce/skills-for-growth/
Caithness Chamber of Commerce
The Caithness Business Fund distributes grants to small businesses within the Caithness and North Sutherland area.
DYW North Highland aims to develop better partnerships between employers and education providers, to ensure that education focuses on employment and progression in learning. Modern Apprenticeships need to meet the needs of industry requirements and ensure that young people leaving school and college are better prepared for the world of work.
Training groups in this area
Highland Construction Training Group
Area coverage: Construction employers in the Highlands of Scotland
- Key contact: Winnie Munro (hctg.highland@gmail.com
- Chair of the group: Ian Phillips (ian@ardachyms.com)
- Postal address:
6 Carsegate Road North
Inverness
IV3 8DU - Tel: 078245590993
- Website: www.hctg.net
North Highland Construction Training Group
Area coverage: Construction employers in the north Highlands area
- Key contact: Mike Hammerton (info@nhctg.co.uk)
- Chair of the group: Kyle Henderson kyle@gmrhenderson.co.uk
- Postal address:
HelCat House
4a Ormlie Industrial Estate
Thurso
Caithness
KW14 7QU
Orkney Construction Training Group
Area coverage: Contractors across the Orkney Islands
- Key contact: Katy Clouston (katy@orkneyctg.co.uk)
- Chair of the group: Stephen Kemp (stephen@orkneybuilders.com)
- Postal address:
Newgert
Stenness
Orkney
KW16 3JX
Western Isles Construction Training Group
Area coverage: Contractors across the Western Isles of Scotland
- Key contact: Donald Nicholson (wic.traininggroup@gmail.com)
- Chair of the group: Neil Mackay (nmkandco@hotmail.com)
- Postal address:
28A East Street
Sandwick
Isle of Lewis
HS2 0AL - Website: www.wictg.co.uk
Contact your CITB customer engagement adviser
Margaret Evans
Tel: 07785 278141
Email: Margaret.Evans@citb.co.uk