We visited Kelvin College, East End Campus, Glasgow recently with our Fourply Bee Hotels to deliver an employer talk on “Entering the World of Work”.
Across two sessions, we met with four groups:
▪ Women in Construction
▪ Youth Start
▪ Pre-Apprentice Joinery (x2)
The conversations weren’t just about qualifications.
They were about behaviours, responsibility and what employers actually look for.
Our Bee Hotels represent something simple:
▪ Development takes time
▪ Structure matters
▪ The right environment helps people grow
This particular college’s environment doesn’t happen by accident. It’s built over years by committed lecturers who invest in their students, raise standards and create genuine pathways into employment.
Programmes like these give young people confidence, direction and opportunity — and local employers can benefit from it.
Apprenticeship affordability is a real challenge across the sector. Rising wage costs and unchanged grant support are putting pressure on firms of all sizes.
Construction has always been about practical people, working together and supporting the next generation.
But if we want a sustainable industry, investing in apprentices isn’t optional — it’s essential.
The future of construction is sitting in those classrooms.
And it’s worth supporting.
