Celebrating Success – A Partnership Shaping Futures

The partnership between Robertson Group and City of Glasgow College continues to deliver transformative opportunities for students, bridging classroom learning with hands-on industry experience. This innovative collaboration has empowered students to explore the construction sector and beyond, enabling them to build thriving careers. Earlier this year, the partnership was formalised with the signing of a ‘memorandum of understanding.’

Andy Pollock, Associate Dean for Built Environment at the college, emphasised the importance of this partnership:

“Employer partnerships are key to our sector skills strategy at City. The opportunity to formalise our relationship with Robertson allows us to monitor outcomes and continually improve the real impact of social value.”

Over the past year, the partnership has achieved remarkable results. Two students secured employment within the Robertson supply chain through the work experience programme. Jay Power, a trainee joiner with a subcontractor, credited the programme for giving him a platform to show his ambition:

“The work experience programme gave me the platform I needed to showcase my ambition and to get my foot in the door. Because of this opportunity, I have now started full-time and am enjoying every day.”

Similarly, Kieran Young gained hands-on experience with Urban Union (part of Robertson) on the Hamiltonhill regeneration project, leading to a permanent role. Beyond construction, the programme offers diverse pathways, as demonstrated by Jamie Roberts. A student from a non-construction course, Jamie gained experience in Robertson’s Supply Chain & Procurement team, earning a full-time role through his dedication. Mark Henderson, Head of Social Impact at Robertson Group, shared his enthusiasm for the partnership:

“Robertson has actively supported City of Glasgow College for years, in line with our commitment to creating meaningful benefits and opportunities in the communities we work in. The memorandum of understanding reinforces this commitment, linking students into our careers programme and providing clear routes to employment with opportunities for growth and development.”

Looking ahead, the partnership aims to expand work placements and expose students to both residential and non-residential projects. Industry professionals will also visit classrooms, sharing real-world insights. Foundation apprenticeship students will benefit from tailored mentorship, CV workshops, and mock interviews.

Diversity remains a priority, with efforts to support female students entering construction, promoting inclusivity. Additionally, the annual Built Environment Awards Ceremony, supported by Robertson, will continue to celebrate student achievements. Through employability workshops and community engagement, this partnership exemplifies the power of collaboration, providing students with the tools and opportunities to transform their ambitions into reality.