A BARRHEAD company involved in housing refurbishment projects has launched an academy for trainees to safeguard its future workforce.

A.C. Whyte & Co has developed the 12-month course for trainee external wall insulation installers, in partnership with West College Scotland.

The company specialises in installing external wall insulation for local authority, housing association and private homes.

Employing 160 people, the first 12 candidates will begin their training at the Greenock campus this month.

Jennifer Phin, managing director, said: “Many are unaware of the opportunities available to them and we have to be more pro-active than ever before in reaching out to people in the communities where we operate.”

Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur added: “It was great to see a Barrhead business leading the way. What is really special about the skills academy is that there is guaranteed employment at the end of it. This should be celebrated.”