The A.C. Whyte Skills Academy in partnership with West College Scotland was officially launched today by Derek MacKay, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work with support from Tom Arthur – MSP for Renfrewshire South, Stuart McMillan – MSP for Greenock and Inverclyde and the Provost of Inverclyde, Martin Brennan. Derek MacKay commented:

I’m delighted to be here at West College Scotland working in partnership with A.C. Whyte, it’s bringing together colleges and the private sector to deliver skills and training the business industry actually wants.

Derek also commented:

A dozen young people involved today will be trained and they have the guarantee of a job with A.C. Whyte at the end. Of course, it’s also giving the industry the skills they are telling us are required, so I’m delighted to be here to launch it today.

The Skills Academy will see 12 students – known as ‘Akademos’ – learn and master skills to become fully-qualified external wall insulation installers. The Akademos will graduate to full-time, permanent employment with A.C. Whyte after successful completion of the 12 month, formally accredited course building a solid foundation for a vibrant career within the industry. Jennifer Phin, Managing Director of A.C. Whyte commented:

A.C. Whyte will nurture the students of the Academy, comprehensively educating them with relevant content and skills, instilling our company values and commitment to quality from day one, building them into future stars of the company.

The Akademos will have A.C. Whyte’s ‘right first time’ approach instilled throughout a combination of classroom-based teaching with on-the-job training under the guidance of our experienced team. This approach to education will empower the students with skills to become the sustainable future of the company by adopting our ‘quality as standard’ ethos from day one.

The MSPs and representatives from West College Scotland and Riverclyde Homes were introduced to our Akademos and given a tour of the newly-unveiled A.C. Whyte Skills Academy purpose-built workshop. The learning space has been specifically designed to give the students consistent and relevant hands-on experience in external wall insulation. Tommy Campbell of West College Scotland said:

A.C. Whyte’s partnership with West College Scotland has allowed them to influence and design a curriculum fit for purpose.  The industry led initiative is new and exciting and illustrates that industry can partner with colleges and schools to provide a workforce for the future.

The A.C. Whyte team will be empowering and encouraging the Akademos throughout their journey to becoming key members of our team and will receive regular updates on their progress from West College Scotland.

We wish our future stars all the best over the next 12 months and look forward to welcoming them on our sites.