Communities across South West Scotland continue to be strengthened and local economies improved as infrastructure specialist hub South West enters the eighth year of its flagship economic development Build programme.

A new Build Ayrshire programme, which will help local construction-related businesses to win more lucrative work from Tier 1 contractors, will launch next/this month (February 2022), and later in the year the hub plans to establish the first Build Dumfries and Galloway initiative.

Since commencement of operations, the Build programmes have more than proved their value to smaller construction businesses across Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Dumfries and Galloway, with more than 150 businesses “graduating” – and not only improving their models but achieving significantly higher growth.

The new co-operative and collaborative environment for expanding local companies means that opportunity cascades through communities in the hub territory, creating employment for local young people through the hub’s Skills Academy and through apprenticeship initiatives with local colleges.

Mark Houston, Supply Chain Development Manager at hub South West, said: “The programme is designed to help individual businesses to improve in every area of operation by giving them the ability to grow, and secure more substantial work from Tier 1 contractors.

“The programme includes shared learning for all delegates on business in general, including such issues as strategy, goal setting, leadership, team building and development, employment law, digital marketing and social media, procurement and cloud accounting.

“A strong sense of community is formed as participating businesses share best practice, business experience, know-how and peer support – to such an extent that new business friendships last way beyond the eight weeks of the course.”

Following a highly successful initial programme in early 2021, the second online Build Ayrshire programme will be delivered in eight half-day online sessions of practical instruction from 3 February to 24 March. It is FREE to attend but requires commitment from each participating business.

Run in partnership with East Ayrshire, North Ayrshire and South Ayrshire Councils, it is managed by hub South West, the public-private partnership of local authorities, NHS, blue light services and leading construction industry contractors including Morrisons, CCG, Cruden, Graham, Morgan Sindall, Ashleigh, Bam, Robertson and Keir.

Build Ayrshire also includes Meet the Buyer supply chain meetings with several of hub South West's active Tier 1 Contractors. The programme concludes with an opportunity to pitch to all of them and a closing awards event with one business gaining the Main Award for the programme.

The second Build Ayrshire programme follows 12 Building for Growth and four Build Lanarkshire programmes which the hub has run over the last eight years. All construction industry-related businesses in the territory will be most welcome.

Expressions of interest about Build Ayrshire are now being taken. To receive an application form please complete the Booking Form or contact Mark Houston This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or Margaret Milton This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..