Hansard

I thank Gordon MacDonald for bringing the debate to the chamber. If we want to meet all the expectations that we have set out in the Parliament over the past four years for the building of homes and infrastructure for roads, railways and cycle lanes, and for decent public services such as hospitals, schools and community centres, we have to acknowledge that we need skills and trades. That includes traditional trades, along with skills in retrofitting. Our joiners, plumbers and roofers—a whole variety of skills—are so important to our future.

In order to meet our climate target—our most important commitment to future generations—we must ensure that there is a skill set in the construction industry. That is why it is important that this debate has been brought to the chamber.

I am pleased to see that the data suggests that young people see a future in the sector. It is important that we ensure that the sector is well regulated and safe, and that it has strong terms and conditions for those who work in it. I have met with trade union colleagues in construction and I know that we have some work to do, but I recognise the on-going work with the trade unions and the construction industry.

During my time in Parliament, I have been fascinated to hear about colleagues’ knowledge in this area, and I have learned a great deal about the sector. Tonight’s debate is such an important one. The work to ensure that there is on-going, good-quality construction work in the future, and to ensure the retrofitting of and continued existence of the buildings that we need, must be done—as other members have said—in tandem with the progression of construction training.

During my time as an MSP, I have had the great pleasure of meeting a number of trades workers from a great variety of trades and backgrounds right across my South Scotland region. I have attended the annual Scottish Traditional Building Forum event in the Parliament grounds, and I will do so again this year.

Young workers in particular recognise that they need the skills to enable us to meet the challenge of reaching net zero and to deliver on the retrofitting of buildings and the building of our infrastructure and community settings, not only now but way into the future. Lots of skills need to be developed.

The consistent message that I have heard from businesses and workers across the sector is that the Scottish Government must set policies to establish clearer training routes, invest in local training and, in particular, drive a desire to save some of the skills that are out there at the moment. We have heard about that from other members today.

I have previously raised in the chamber the challenge that young apprentices face in accessing the local education that will allow us to retain those skills. People seem to find it difficult to find the right provision to enable them to keep up their competencies and qualifications and to become a professional in the sector. If the minister has any information on that, I would really appreciate hearing it. The ability to undertake apprenticeships locally makes a great difference in rural areas such as the one that I represent. That model really helps our young people to take on the roles and jobs that Gordon MacDonald spoke about in his opening speech.

This is an important sector for the Parliament to look at. I thank everybody for their contributions, and I thank Gordon MacDonald for bringing the debate to the chamber.