28Veterans of conflicts such as the Iraq war and Bosnia are being helped back into sustainable employment through a new state of the art window factory in Glasgow.
Four long-term unemployed veterans were just some of the workers who met with Glasgow City Council Leader, Councillor Gordon Matheson, at the opening of the factory operated by Royal Strathclyde Blindcraft Industries (RSBi) this week.
It is expected that the new facility will create around 30 permanent jobs in the area across manufacturing, surveying and installation.
The factory, located at City Building’s Queenslie Training Complex, has been made possible thanks to Glasgow City Council’s investment in new PVCu windows in schools across the city.
To date, £10 million of new windows contracts have been identified within the school estate, which will be made in the brand new factory. It also marks a great step forward in the development of RSBi’s business as the windows factory will now have the capability to bid for contracts in Europe as well.
Ex-servicemen, Jon Collins (AGE), Household Cavalry Mounted Regiment, Barry Thomson, Royal Highland Fusiliers, Steven Nicol, Royal Scots Dragoon Guards and Richard Brown, Scots Guards all secured their roles at RSBi through the Glasgow Veterans Employment Programme.
The programme means that Glasgow City Council will pay a wage subsidy to city employers taking on unemployed forces personnel. This was announced as part of Councillor Matheson’s blueprint for the city as a way to tackle the issue of long-term unemployed servicemen and women.
Since being taken on the veterans are undergoing training on manufacturing the windows and they will play a crucial role in delivering orders such as for the Glasgow school estate.
Jon Collins, said: “”It’s great to get the opportunity to get back to work through RSBi and to put our existing skills from our military careers with the new vocational skills which will enable us to plan for success in the long term.
Graham Paterson, City Building Executive Director, said: “The opening of the windows factory at Queenslie further demonstrates RSBi’s success in the commercial sector. The trade employment opportunities combined with the Glasgow Veterans Employment Programme will mean that we can help create real sustainable employment opportunities for people in the area.”
Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader, Glasgow City Council said: “Last year we announced an investment of £250 million to rebuild or refurbish every remaining primary, nursery or ASL school as part of our 4Rs strategy.
“”The 4Rs strategy will not only benefit children and schools across Glasgow, this major capital investment will also provide a significant boost to the local economy.
“”Education and jobs are both top priorities of this council and we will deliver on them.
“Our Armed Forces make immeasurable sacrifices on our behalf and the Glasgow Veterans Employment Programme, part of the £50m Glasgow Guarantee jobs and training initiative, is designed to help ex-military personnel get into work and readjust to civilian life.”
