A GLASGOW project which helps disadvantaged young people into construction jobs has been praised.

By Daniel Bach

A GLASGOW project which helps disadvantaged young people into construction jobs has been praised.

Education Secretary Fiona Hyslop visited NCH Youthbuild project sites in the city yesterday, including its Bridgeton headquarters and a site at the Southern General Hospital.

Youthbuild projects are like a nine-month "job interview" - six weeks of skill development and safety training, six weeks in a work placement and six months of work.

The aim is to help people aged 16-24, many with troubled pasts or criminal records, into construction jobs.

And 79 - around 80% - of people coming out of the Youthbuild project in Glasgow have found permanent work with more than 60 employers over the past two years.

Ms Hyslop said: "Given the current economic situation, it is more important than ever that young people who may be at risk of leaving school and falling into unemployment are able to access the right training and skills they need to get into work."

Stephen Rae, 21, from Easterhouse, says Youthbuild was his only option to break into the construction industry.

He said: "I'd probably be sitting in the house doing nothing if I wasn't here."

Vincent Canning, 18, from Tollcross, said he always wanted to work in construction but knew he would not find a job without experience. He said: "I'm thinking about my future now and enjoying the work and training."

Project manager Matthew Mills, 31, a graduate of the programme, said the focus was on team-work and communication skills. He added: "We make sure everyone achieves the goals they want to"

Youthbuild, which receives support from the Scottish Government and the construction industry, is currently working in partnership with public and private building projects and to secure contracts for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.