SUPPORTED business has created 16 jobs as part of a contract to supply furniture to vulnerable tenants.

Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries, the manufacturing division of City Building, has hired more staff to supply and install furniture to those being supported by the Scottish Welfare Fund.

The business was given the contract in 2014 by Glasgow City Council.

More than half of the current 260 staff at RSBi have a disability, including visual and hearing impairments and learning disabilities.

The current agreement, worth £6.5 million, requires RSBi to design, manufacture, deliver and install a wide variety of products, such as flooring and furniture, for people receiving a community care grant.

Staff are also responsible for installing all electrical goods, including cookers, fridge freezers and washing machines in designated households.

Since winning the contract, an additional 16 workers have been hired to work in a range of positions, from drivers, to floor layers and an apprentice administrator.

Jeane Freeman MSP, Social Security Minister visited the RSBi workshop on Wednesday.

She said: “Our Scottish Welfare Fund, working with councils and partners around the country, does a huge amount of good to mitigate the worst effects of UK Government welfare cuts by helping people in times of crisis.

“The work done by RSBi is a terrific example of that partnership in action.

“The work they do provides employment, benefits the local community and provides an important boost to the local economy.

“It has been a privilege to meet the team and see first-hand the work that they do.”

Speaking of the contract Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council, said: “RSBi is a special and inspirational organisation which has had great success in providing employment and other opportunities to individuals who may otherwise not receive them.

“The workforce also produces very high quality goods.

“I’m delighted that, through this contract, their hard work and skills are making a difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable people.”

Dr Graham Paterson, executive director of City Building, said: “The Scottish Welfare Fund contract has made a significant difference to operations at RSBi. Not only have we been able to expand our workforce, we have been able to take on a new supplier, whose business ethos is very much in line with our own.