Tuesday, 16 August 2005 16:57

Argyll and Bute Council is to contribute £72,000 to the establishment of a Construction Skills Centre in Mid-Argyll.

At a meeting of the Council’s Strategic Policy Committee last week (Thursday 11 August) councillors took the decision to invest in the project, once other funding is in place, by purchasing a site on the Kilmory Industrial Estate and leasing it back to Argyll College at a peppercorn rent.

Council Leader, Allan Macaskill said, “This project is of major significance to the whole of Argyll and Bute. There have been long standing issues over the training of construction skills apprentices in Argyll and Bute. The main problems have been a lack of training offered by the smaller firms; attendance and drop out rates when apprentices attend the extended periods of training at Central Belt colleges and the high cost of training.

“Establishing a custom built construction skills centre within Argyll and Bute will benefit not only the individuals who take up the training, but entire communities who will feel the advantages of a boost to the local economy, a rise in education and skills levels and a potential drop in unemployment.

He continued, “It is only right that the Council should play a full part in this project and work closely with its partners to make this proposal a reality. It will be a major step forward in making Argyll and Bute Scotland’s leading rural area.”

Michael Breslin, Director of Argyll College said, “I am delighted that the council has agreed to support this project. In terms of education and training, construction is an important strategic issue for Argyll and Bute.

“There is predicted a huge expansion in the building trade over the next 10-15 years through the revised local plan, the increase in investment from Argyll Community Housing Association and others, and the major public sector building works due to take place under the schools building and refurbishment programme.”

The centre is planned initially to concentrate on joinery and brickwork apprenticeships, but other trades will be added in due course once the centre is established. The centre will be able to provide training to national standards to some 32 apprentices each year.