A Lanarkshire business boss says college and an apprenticeship were the making of him
A Lanarkshire entrepreneur who has become one of the area’s leading private sector employers is demonstrating his commitment to giving new generations of apprentices the kind of unrivalled opportunities that contributed to his own success.
As a school leaver, Mark enrolled in a building maintenance projects course at Glasgow Kelvin College, then known as Springburn College, which led to an apprenticeship in service and maintenance engineering. Realising that he needed experience in order to make that dream become a reality, he worked for nearly four years as a qualified engineer.
The couple decided to rent out their house and move in with Mark’s parents. She carried on working full-time in her training role with Glasgow City Council, joining Mark in a makeshift office in a spare bedroom every evening to help get his business, MGB Services Ltd, up and running. “That is when we really started getting noticed, and we got to tender for bigger work,” recalls Mark.
Currently holding 150 service and maintenance contracts, among the firm’s 35-strong workforce are three apprentices who hone their skills both on-the-job and by attending Glasgow Kelvin College, just as their boss had done. With his business projected to turn over between £8m and £10m and create more new jobs for Lanarkshire within the next three years, 41-year-old Mark said: “We bring apprentices in as they have the right mix of skills and interest. It’s about employability. College prepares people for work and for setting up a business.
“It goes beyond that too, and into the connections you can make – on your course and the lecturers and real-world contact you have on placements and apprenticeships. They can be so valuable when you go it alone.” “From the minute Ross came in, I saw something in him. He was a bit older, asking lots of questions, hungry to do well, taking on extra work and overtime to learn – and he’s now getting the rewards,” said Mark.
Glasgow City Council Universities And Colleges Airdrie Education Schools Bellshill Lanarkshire News Lanarkshire Long Reads
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Two new council housing developments in Airdrie providing additional 56 homesDevelopments mark another significant milestone in North Lanarkshire Council’s ambitious housing programme.
Read more »
Christie the Baker will represent Lanarkshire at National Bakery AwardsEighty-year-old traditional high street baker best known for its scotch pies, plain bread, morning rolls and cream rings.
Read more »
Lanarkshire bin strikes called off as unions consider new pay offerUnison, the GMB and Unite have suspended this week's planned industrial action - but one union is recommending members reject the latest offer
Read more »
New 'dream' career for Lanarkshire triplet mum turned children's authorThis Sunday, August 18, Claire Renny will host her debut book launch in Glasgow after signing a publishing deal with Pegasus Publishers, Nightingale books
Read more »
Lanarkshire parents urged to have their children vaccinated against fluThe flu vaccine is usually given as a painless nasal spray and is a safe way to help protect your child against flu
Read more »
Ex South Lanarkshire librarian starts new musical class for the under fivesRhona Young has swapped books for bells, whistles, drums, tambourines and other percussion instruments, in order to help develop music skills for the youngsters.
Read more »