Work has begun on the site of construction firm City Building’s new on-site college training campus.

The Glasgow-based company has unveiled their plans to create the new campus in Springburn, with a focus on training involving new and renewable energy technology.

City Building currently offers trainee apprenticeships in areas such as painting, plumbing, electrical and joinery, with the new venture looking to set the future stars of the industry on the right path.

Alan Burns, executive director of City Building, said: “There was a real buzz in the air as we watched the site enter the first phase of its transformation.

“It is our hope that both current and future apprentices will be able to enjoy the training college and benefit from the new training opportunities it will support.”

The new campus will be located in the grounds of Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries near Springburn and will see 250 apprentices train in the construction industry.

Councillor Allan Casey, who trained as an apprentice joiner with City Building, was on hand to help mark the monumental day for the firm and for apprentices.

He said: “It is an exceptionally exciting time for the firm as we welcome more apprentices and commence the building of the training college.

“The college represents our commitment to renewables within the construction sector, and to the workforce in the wider construction industry.

“We are delighted that City Building employees will gain first-hand experience in the college’s construction, which will also allow us to use more innovative construction technologies in skilling our apprentices and workforce.”

With a focus on more renewable and eco-friendly technologies, Councillor Casey says that the new trainees will be a welcome addition to Glasgow’s economy, with the city playing host to environment conference COP26 later this year.

He said: “Through our existing renewables workstream, we retrofit homes in Glasgow with solar panels and ground source heating to encourage a greener city, which feels particularly apt with COP26 fast approaching.

“The training college will allow us to upskill our workforce and provide much more sustainable construction.”

Work on the new college campus, which will be undertaken by City Building themselves, is expected to be completed by 2022.