SOCIAL enterprise Glasgow Together has lined up enough property renovation projects to keep between 10 and 15 ex-offenders in full-time employment.
The business, which was set up in 2015 and has raised a total of £2 million of funding, has begun work on its sixth residential project – a sandstone villa in the Pollokshields area of Glasgow - and plans to start on seven new-build houses in the near future.
Chief executive Barry Mochan said the Pollokshields renovation, which will see the villa converted into three premium appartments, is Glasgow Together’s most ambitious yet, with the first five designed to get ex-offenders used to working in the construction environment.
“We’ve been working on smaller projects to get the guys used to the work and we’ve gradually ramped it up,” he said.
Mr Mochan added that Glasgow Together’s model is to take on qualified tradesmen as contractors, with the ex-offenders learning from them on the job.
“The main thing for me is motivation,” he said. “Construction experience is not essential - if they have it it’s a bonus. Sometimes we have people who have never worked a day in their life – they don’t know how to fit in as part of a team. We can spend between three and 12 months getting someone up to speed so we’re comfortable that they can work elsewhere.”
So far three of Glasgow Together’s employees have moved onto other employment, with the business currently employing three and waiting for another two to start. Further positions will be opened up when it receives planning permission for other properties it has purchased.
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