As part of the #DYWDecade campaign, DYW North East talked to some of the Morrison Construction team to explore the story behind that statistic. Read on to discover how they’ve built their business round young people, their motivations for doing so and what’s changed over the years.
Laying the foundations
Established in Tain, north of Inverness, after the second world war, Morrison Construction was committed to supporting the local labour market from the outset. In 1986, the company first connected directly with local schools to offer young people opportunities. And the most impressive part? Two out of the four people who were hired are still there - 39 years later.
By necessity, the company’s approach to engaging with young people has evolved over the years – not only to reflect the changing skills requirements in the construction sector but in keeping with the different circumstances and challenges surrounding young people today.
Young Persons Guarantee
When the Young Person’s Guarantee (YPG) was introduced in 2020, Morrison Construction was quick to pledge its support. The aim of the YPG is to connect every 16-24-year-old in Scotland to an opportunity, which resonates with the company’s own ethos.
“We are deeply committed to supporting local talent and providing opportunities for young people to thrive within the industry,” says Mike Bruce, Managing Director. “It’s vital for us to invest in young people, not just to address skills shortages but to ensure the sustainability of the industry and strengthen the communities we work in.
“By finding and nurturing future talent, we’re not just building careers: we’re building futures.”
Cementing partnerships
The YPG underpins all of Morrison Construction’s activities to support young people, including partnering with DYW North East to deliver activities for school pupils.
The company’s annual school roadshow has been enhanced over the years. The 2024 initiative spanned 17 academies throughout Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire, providing over 370 young people with information on the construction industry, employability skills and forthcoming opportunities for work experience and full-time employment.
Additional provision for young people in schools incorporates mentoring, employability workshops, mock interview support and involvement in other STEM-related activities.
Morrison Construction also has strong partnership arrangements in place with programmes such as Go Construct and STEM Ambassadors in Scotland.
Opportunities abound
Today’s activities with young people go far beyond the company’s initial focus of offering apprenticeships and traditional trade training. The business now employs dedicated early careers professionals, who provide targeted support for specific groups and localities.
Team members also work closely with schools and colleges on curriculum design, helping them to ensure that their course content is industry-relevant.
Today’s early career opportunities range from Modern Apprenticeships through to graduate roles. As an SCQF Inclusive Recruiter, the company aims to ensure that its vacancies are made available to the widest range of candidates. Job descriptions are regularly reviewed to incorporate learning and development opportunities.
Inclusivity and innovation
Equality, inclusion and working to end discrimination are central to the Young Person’s Guarantee. Morrison Construction takes its responsibilities in these areas very seriously, working closely with care leavers and young people who are not in education, employment or training.
Kirstie Golightly, Stakeholder and Communications Manager, explains: “We continue to better our understanding and awareness of abilities to support where we can and ensure that opportunities can be made available to all.”
Those with special educational needs and disabilities are encouraged to support the company’s compound builds.
A decade of DYW
Much positive activity has been achieved over the years and the team at Morrison Construction are committed to continuing their activities with young people.
“Through the Young Person’s Guarantee and our various partnership initiatives, we’re inspiring the next generation while also addressing key challenges in the industry, like skills shortages,” says Katie Strachan, Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Manager. “It’s incredibly rewarding to know that our efforts are making a lasting difference, not just for individuals, but for the communities we serve.”
The company has certainly made a positive impact on many young people over the last few decades. Here’s to the next ten years!
Morrison Construction is a provider of buildings (Morrison Construction North East) and infrastructure (Morrison Construction Infrastructure). Find out more about the company here.
The #DYWDecade campaign runs from 13-31 January 2025. Learn about the campaign here.
Other useful links:
