A PLUMBING and heating firm working across the country is setting up its own skills academy in Inverclyde.

James Paterson & Sons have put their trust in West College Scotland's Greenock campus to deliver a new workforce with the hope of a conveyor belt of students ready to be taken on as apprentices.

They have been working closely with curriculum enhancement lecturer Lee Clark and his team for some time.

Greenock Telegraph:

The firm who work with the biggest house builders in Scotland were so impressed with the standards at Finnart Street they have joined forces to set up a pilot scheme.

Lecturer Mr Clark said: "We are over the moon that James Paterson & Sons have come to us to work with them. We have a really good relationship with them and have worked with them for the last decade.

"They have a large and ageing workforce so they are looking to take on apprentices who already have the skills they need, and that is our job.

"I think they were impressed with our set up during Covid-19 when we quickly introduced online learning, and then we were back in the workshop as soon as possible to deliver the practical side."

Greenock Telegraph:

From January onwards 12 students will work towards an SVQ level three in plumbing and heating with the hope of an apprenticeship at the end.

But there will also be opportunities for others to get employment elsewhere.

Lee added: "What we are trying to do is send our students out ready to take on an apprenticeship and we have had a good success rate.

"We give our students the life skills as well, with good time keeping and getting used to public transport, so that they are ready made apprentices when they start working."

"We want to make sure they are matched with the industry and want to take on an apprenticeship."

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From now on the college will deliver a range of skills from health and safety, to copper work and bathroom installation during an 18-week course.

On completing the course, the students can then apply for an apprenticeship with James Paterson, a family run firm set up in 1987 working with national house builders.