A.C. Whyte Skills Academy – run in association with construction company A.C Whyte 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.
West College Scotland was approached by local company AC Whyte after they identified a skills shortage within their existing workforce for external wall insulation applicators and finishers. AC Whyte have over 40 years’ experience carrying out major property refurbishment works and latterly since 1990 external wall insulation projects for both the private and commercial sectors.
West College Scotland offered to create a unique skills training academy solely to address the specific skills shortage that AC Whyte was facing. This is truly a unique way of addressing the immediate skills shortage for AC Whyte as it directly focusses on the particular element of the skills shortage and not the general skill of a Slating/ Plastering operative which takes 4 years to achieve.
The Academy which was officially launched in September 2018 by Derek MacKay, Cabinet Secretary for Finance, Economy and Fair Work will give a group of 12 students the opportunity of to gain live industry experience in an actual site environment and AC Whyte has undertaken to guarantee all Academy students a full time permanent position with the company on satisfactory completion of the yearlong academy.
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.”
West College Scotland are delivering a newly created course where all students will work towards gaining an SQA qualification in the Installation of External Wall Insulation Boarding and External Wall Insulation Finishing alongside general Health and Safety qualifications. These qualifications are supported by onsite work placements designed to complement the college based learning outcomes.
The Skills Academy was developed in response to a labour market demand from a local employer which enabled the College to reimagine our current curriculum and replace a course with previously poor performance indicators with a course that will provide 100% job outcomes for successful candidates. The Academy which is currently now in Block 2 with 100% retention from its student cohort is part of 5 year programme which West College Scotland and A.C Whyte intend to develop and grow.
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.”
This is an ethos supported by Tommy Campbell, Head of Construction and Building Services at West College Scotland who 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.”
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