Who
Contract Scotland is a recruitment consultancy based in Stirling. For 20 years they have provided technical and professional staff to the Scottish construction industry. They have 23 employees.

What
Contract Scotland participant and run initiatives with three community based organisations to identify work opportunities in the construction sector especially for refugees, asylum seekers and long term unemployed women. Additionally they sponsor an apprentice for four years to work with a local construction company. 

With the charity The Bridges Programme, Contract Scotland employees participant in the course Equipped for the Future. The course gives CV writing and interview skills to refugees and asylum seekers from any background. Contract Scotland employees conducting mock interviews and assisting with the students CV preparation. At the end of the course Contract Scotland also helps the students to identify potential employers. Contract Scotland are preparing to roll out this programme to younger refugees looking for career advice and also organise job-shadow days of their employees for the charity The Bridges Programme staff.

Contract Scotland participated in the Raploch URC project Breaking the Mould. The project aims to find construction employment opportunities for long term unemployed women from the Raploch area of Stirling. Following the success of the project Contract Scotland developed a partnership with Raploch URC and set up a separate recruitment agency to find work locally for those living in the area.

Contract Scotland also sponsor an apprentice over four years to work with a local construction company through their partnership with the Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park.

Why
As a result of stakeholder consultation with other companies in the Scottish construction industry and regulatory bodies, Contract Scotland identified key social issues affecting their communities and sector in particular high levels of unemployment amongst people with construction skills contrasted by a skills shortage in the construction industry.

Business benefits

• Harness staff potential
• Successfully found employment for four Equipped for the Future students
• 83% female participants found sustainable employment from the Breaking the Mould course
• Their partnership with the Raploch URC allowed them to set up a recruitment agency to find work locally for those living in the area

Community benefits

• The company is also assisting the charities with submissions they are making to supply services for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games 2014.
• Working in partnership with their communities is tackling social issues for mutual benefit
• Present community courses are being extended to include outreaching to more vulnerable members of the community
• Sharing knowledge by providing the opportunity for charity employees to job-shadow Contract Scotland employees
• The business hopes to be able to use their position within the Scottish construction industry to gain further commitment and investment from other private sector organisations in support of these programmes.

Website www.contractscotland.co.uk