A Glasgow bricklaying apprentice is getting a financial head start as he begins his construction career, with more than £1,000 worth of tools provided to help him get established on site.
Stephen Ruthven, 20, from Lambhill, received the toolkit from Glasgow’s Lord Provost, Councillor Jacqueline McLaren, during a presentation at the Glasgow City Chambers after starting an apprenticeship with Persimmon Homes West Scotland. Persimmon supplied the tools free of charge and included personal protective equipment, a direct move to remove upfront cost barriers for young people entering the industry.
Ruthven was identified for the apprenticeship through a pre-apprenticeship bricklaying course at Glasgow Kelvin College’s Springburn Campus. He said the tools were “a great start” and that he’s looking forward to getting out on site, learning from experienced tradespeople, and developing his skills.
McLaren congratulated Ruthven and pointed to apprenticeships as a pathway that builds practical skills and hands-on experience while opening doors to long-term careers in construction.
For mason contractors watching workforce pipelines tighten, the details matter. This is a simple model that matches real jobsite needs: pre-apprenticeship training to find candidates, a ready-to-work toolkit and PPE to eliminate day-one obstacles, and a clear plan to combine classroom instruction with on-site learning. Ruthven will split his time between college-based learning and jobsite experience as he progresses through his apprenticeship.
Read the full, original article from Yahoo News UK here.