2018 Scottish Enterprise Awards

SME NEWS / 2018 Scottish Enterprise Awards 13 , First Steps Future Training is an innovative training provider that is dedicated to helping communities and local businesses. Operations Manager George Bruce provides us with an overview of the firmand the solutions it provides. Best Construction Training Provider 2018 Established in 2012 First Steps Future Training was given its charity status in February 2013. George discusses the firm’s solutions in detail and explores how it works to support businesses, individuals and communities alike. “As a training provider, here at First Steps Future Training we have, over the years, continued to provide our service within Glasgow, Lanarkshire and Dunbartonshire, working with young people and adults. We provide practical manual training in Mono Blocking, Joinery, Painting & Decorating, Brickwork, Pathways, Drainage, Manual Handling, Power Tools, Cable Avoidance, Hard/Soft Landscaping, Environmental Work, Tree Husbandry, Fence Erecting, Dry Stone Walling, completing CSCS Certification and Health & Safety training as well as employability skills such as Personal Development, Building Confidence and Self Esteem, Responsibilities of Employment and Building Own Employability Skills.” “Our key aim is ‘Passion Not Profit’, and as such we pride ourselves in supporting vulnerable learners, some of the most disadvantaged in society, to encourage development moving towards the labour market. Many of our learners have not worked since leaving school, or are non- attenders currently of school age, and therefore self-esteem is often very low. By providing taster sessions and SQA qualifications within practical areas of the building trade it allows the learner to gain skills, knowledge and the choice to concentrate within a particular field they may ordinarily not have had the opportunity. We home in on their strengths and build on them. We have links with companies, large and small, who provide placement training for our learners in order to gain real life skills as well as a grounded understanding of the expectations needed to succeed. By the continued support of local business, they help to play a big part in the growth and development of our future generations at the same time as employing the next generational work force.” Specifically, by supporting those in disadvantaged areas the organisation is able to drive them to fulfil their true potential, as George explains. “Central to our work is our focus on supporting those who need us most, and as such we work with learners who live in areas of high unemployment, deprivation, addiction and social exclusion as well as working with young people who have been excluded from school or are being cared for away from the family home, therefore we are extremely proud when our learners successfully complete their training and/or move into employment.” “By the continued partnership with local schools and other agencies, we support young people to develop their skills, enhancing personal development for future growth at the same time as providing real life experiences. We further support the learners by collaborating with local businesses providing work placement experiences in various areas of construction, in particular local house builders McTaggart Construction and Taylor Wimpy. This allows successful progression into apprenticeships or employment opening new prospects for young people and adults.” “Throughout this process First Steps like to give back to the community by providing workmanship and support to local community groups, e.g. Baltic Street Play Park, Bridgeton Community Centre Sensory Garden, Parkhead Play Busters Allotments and Springburn Food Hub. We provide practical hands on support to developing community spaces at the same time as providing first class training to our young learners wishing to gain experience and training that can be used to carry forward into the world of work.” Looking to the future, First Steps Future Training will continue to support communities and their members, offering unique training and support, as George is proud to conclude. “Recently, we have secured funding from a range of organisations including The Big Lottery, The Robertson Trust, and The Henry Smith Foundation, allowing us to continue to support the hardest to reach young people by providing practical skills, knowledge and personal development to ensure they can move into adulthood with a better understanding and capacity to cope with the struggles of life. This will remain our core focus as we look to the future.” First Steps Future Training SCO18041 Company: First Steps Future Training Contact: George Bruce Address: Unit 4, 141 Broad Street, Glasgow, G40 2QR, UK Phone: 0141 554 1831