Glasgow City Region City Deal creates employment opportunities

The Glasgow City Region City Deal has provided employment, training, and skills opportunities for over 250 local residents.

According to the Region's most recent Quarterly Performance Report, City Deal contractors have committed to more than 70 apprenticeships and 170 new entry-level jobs, most of which will be aimed at young people.

A total of 60 apprenticeships have already been completed or are in the process of being completed, over 300 work experience placements or workplace visits have taken place, and more than 150 people have been given support to acquire vocational training qualifications.

Over 120 residents from priority groups have already secured new entrant, graduate or new start apprenticeship opportunities.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Chair of the Glasgow City Region Cabinet and Leader of Glasgow City Council said: “Our City Deal has a critical role in helping to protect the Region’s jobs and uplift its economy.

“Local people are already benefitting from employment and training opportunities with more than 90 careers events held and 180 work experience placements carried out by City Deal contractors so far.

“By investing in skills and employment, we are investing in our Region’s future and helping to secure a strong, inclusive and sustainable economy.”

It is expected that the City Deal will create 29,000 new jobs across the Region, in addition to 15,000 temporary jobs during the construction period, and it will support 5,500 unemployed people in finding employment.

In addition, the programme will generate £2.2 billion additional GVA per year (a 4% increase) across the Region.

UK Government Minister for Scotland Iain Stewart said: “Providing skills and training opportunities is essential to delivering prosperity for everyone.

“The UK Government is investing £523 million in the Glasgow City Region Deal to support the creation of thousands of jobs and build ambitious infrastructure improvements to level up communities. 

“And across Scotland we are investing more than £1.75 billion in regional projects and initiatives.”

As part of the Glasgow City Region Sustainable Procurement Strategy, published in 2021, suppliers delivering City Deal contracts agree to provide a range of community benefits related to those contracts.  

To meet these community benefit requirements, targeted employment and training initiatives, educational support, vocational training, third sector and voluntary sector initiatives, environmental protection, and supply chain development activities will be used to create fair, quality job opportunities for residents in the Region.

The strategy also aims to help develop resilient local supply chains, with a focus on creating procurement opportunities and supplier engagements for local companies. To date, more than £118 million has been awarded to Glasgow City Region based companies, with local businesses awarded more than 60% of tier one City Deal contracts.

Scottish Government Economy Secretary Kate Forbes said: “The Scottish Government is investing £500 million in the Glasgow City Region Deal, recognising the Region’s key role in driving Scotland’s economy. I am pleased this investment is being used to provide employment opportunities for young people because inclusive growth does not happen by accident.

“We know young people in Glasgow have been badly affected by the pandemic and are determined to do everything we can to support them, including using existing commitments like careers events and vocational training qualifications in this targeted way.

“Apprenticeships and work placements are helping us rebuild and secure a more sustainable and fairer economy for all.”

The Glasgow City Region City Deal launched the City Deal Contract Pipeline last month, which features more than £290 million worth of contract opportunities for local businesses over the next five years.