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Businesses urged to act to build business and employee skills legacy from Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup

Businesses across Scotland can still take advantage of contracts and training opportunities for major sporting events in 2014.

With planning entering the final straight, around £12 million worth of contracts will be advertised for the Commonwealth Games while there are still modern apprenticeships and training opportunities available through the Scottish Government’s £5 million Legacy 2014 Young Persons’ Fund.

The Sport Minister, Shona Robison made the call as she met modern apprentices who have joined technology company NVT Group in Bellshill, an official Supporter of the Commonwealth Games.

The firm is recruiting a total of fifteen full time Modern Apprentices to support the delivery of their services for the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup.

The NVT programme, which uses services provided by YouTrain in Stirling, delivers on the job experience and off-site training towards a qualification. The NVT Modern Apprenticeship supports both technical and non- technical roles. NVT has been working with schools and North Lanarkshire Council to identify local talent who would benefit from vocational qualifications.

The Minister said, “As we gear up to the Games there are still plenty of opportunities for employers and businesses to get involved. National programmes are in place and support is available for small businesses to improve the lives of thousands of young people.

“The Commonwealth Games is about more than medals, it’s an opportunity for Scotland’s economy to grow and flourish. NVT’s modern apprentices are one of so many good stories surrounding these games. From athletes to young people getting employment skills and experience, there is already a legacy right across Scotland and I know many more are inspired to get involved.”

NVT’s modern apprenticeship story is one of a dozen featured in a new Scottish Government publication, Scotland’s Games Legacy. Issued today, the publication highlights the Games legacy to individuals and communities across Scotland.

50 national Legacy 2014 programmes and many more local projects and initiatives are already seeing a positive impact thanks to the Games. A digital version of the publication with video content included is available at www.legacy2014.co.uk.

Hamish Fraser, Director, NVT Group, Bellshill, said,

“We are using our expertise to optimise the technology required for a modern global event. The Games contract has opened up opportunities for young people to gain valuable training and we are doing the right thing by creating a legacy through the development of apprenticeship opportunities. NVT has ambitious growth aspirations and our involvement in Glasgow 2014 is an excellent way to showcase our business on a global stage.”

Notes to editors

Background

NVT is the official Technology Services Integrator and an Official Supporter of the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the Official Supplier of Technology Service Integration to The 2014 Ryder Cup. Thanks to the double contract win, NVT now employ over 100 people and are planning to use the experience gained at these events to grow their business further.

The event organisers, Ryder Cup Europe, are looking to procure a significant portfolio of goods and services, estimated to be worth several million pounds to stage the event. It is expected that some 5,000 people will be employed on projects directly related to the event, with many more likely to benefit through supply chain opportunities.”

There are still approximately £12 million pounds of Games related contracts still be tendered. Around £257 million of the £313 million pound contracts have been won by Scottish firms across 23 local authority areas. The legacy of these contracts is an estimated 30,000 jobs across Scotland

Through the five million Legacy 2014 Young Persons’ fund, businesses are being encouraged to recruit 1500 Modern Apprentices through the Employer Recruitment Incentive. A further 1000 young people are benefitting through Scotland’s Best, a volunteering and training programme for young people.

www.legacy2014.co.uk