Glasgow energy services provider, Union Technical, is embarking on an ambitious recruitment drive to create new career opportunities for local people as it expands its in-house team delivering energy efficiency and retrofit projects across Scotland.

As the business looks to bring more workers in-house to support its growing programme of retrofit projects, it is seeking people who want to develop practical skills in a sector helping to make homes warmer, more energy efficient and more sustainable, while supporting communities for the long term.

The recruitment drive will create opportunities for people to build careers in the green economy, with a focus on developing the next generation of skilled tradespeople and supporting the transition to more energy-efficient housing.

As part of its commitment to developing its workforce, Union Technical is also creating opportunities for employees to progress through further education and apprenticeships, giving people the chance to earn while they learn and develop skills for the long term.

One of those employees is 22-year-old Glasgow-born Connor Boyce, who is about to take the next step in his career after securing an electrical apprenticeship with Union Technical.

Connor left school after sixth year determined to become an electrician but struggled to find a route into the trade. After a series of jobs and agency roles, including skilled labouring work on subway stations at night, he was made redundant before joining Union Technical through an agency.

After six months, the company offered him a permanent position as a labourer. Having already decided that he wanted to become an electrician, Connor began speaking to contract managers at Union Technical about the possibility of progressing into an apprenticeship.

Almost two years after first joining the company, Connor began his electrical apprenticeship at West College Scotland on 19 October.

The Modern Apprenticeship will combine periods of study at college with practical experience working alongside Union Technical's teams. The qualification is expected to take three to four years, after which Connor will be fully qualified.

Connor said:

“I always wanted to be an electrician, but after I left school I tried loads of different routes and couldn't get a break. I started with Union Technical as a labourer and pretty quickly told the contract managers that I wanted to do an apprenticeship. It took a bit of time, but they have given me the opportunity and I'm really excited to get started."

“I'm looking forward to getting back into learning. It's going to be a totally different experience from school and I'm really excited about it. There are loads of people here who I can speak to and learn from, which makes a big difference when you're learning on the job."

“It's a great opportunity for me and I'm loving working here.”

Connor's new role will see him develop skills across a range of electrical work, including projects involving solar and battery technology, reflecting the increasingly diverse skills required across the energy services sector.

For Union Technical, his progression is an example of the role employers can play in creating new opportunities for people who may not have taken a traditional route into the industry.

With the demand for retrofit and energy efficiency work continuing to grow, the company is looking to recruit people who are keen to develop practical skills while contributing to projects that have a tangible impact on people's homes and communities.

Owen Coyle, co-founder and director of Union Technical said:

“We want to build a workforce for the future, and that means investing in people - as well as recruiting people with the skills we need today. Connor is a great example of what can happen when someone is given the opportunity to progress. He came to us as a labourer, made it clear that he wanted to develop his career, and has worked hard to get to this point."

“The work we do has a real purpose. We are helping to improve homes, make them more energy efficient and support communities, while giving our people the opportunity to develop skills that will be valuable for years to come."

“We are keen to hear from people who want more than just a job and are interested in building a career in a sector that is playing an important role in Scotland's transition to a more sustainable future.”

Union Technical's recruitment drive will focus on bringing additional workers into the business, alongside developing existing employees through training, further education and apprenticeship opportunities.

The company is particularly keen to hear from people who are interested in developing skills in roofing and surveying, or are looking to start or continue a career as an electrician and want to play a part in delivering energy efficiency and retrofit projects across Scotland.

For Connor, the opportunity comes at an exciting time both professionally and personally. He recently became a dad to his daughter, Aria, who is now 14 weeks old, and is looking forward to building a career that will give him the skills and experience to progress.

He added: “I've got a young family now, so it's really important to me to have something that I can build a career from. Union Technical has given me that opportunity and I'm really grateful for it.”

For further information about Union Technical and the roles available, visit here.