Over 9,000 construction jobs supported through Scotland-wide community infrastructure programme

Latest figures published today (31 March) by the Scottish Futures Trust (SFT) show that across the Scotland-wide hub programme, the value of community-based facilities under construction has reached £1.16bn which is supporting over 9,000 jobs.

Within the hub programme, nearly 40 schools are under construction along with several community health facilities and care homes. Major projects being built include:

• The £69m East Lothian Community Hospital in Haddington
• The £55m Anderson High School in Lerwick
• The £36m Stirling Care Village
• The £24m Waid Academy in Anstruther
• The £43m Largs Academy
• The £23m Barrhead High School

SFT leads on the delivery of the hub programme which operates across five geographical territories in Scotland.

In each territory, the local authorities, NHS boards and other participating public bodies have teamed up with a private sector partner to form a joint venture company known as a hubCo that develops and delivers a diverse pipeline of community infrastructure projects.

To date, over 100 projects have been completed which are providing new and inspiring environments for the benefit of communities.

David MacDonald, hub programme director at SFT, explained: “The hub programme is a unique way of delivering best-value community facilities that provide the public sector with a quick and efficient way of getting their projects into construction.

“Integral to the hub programme are community benefits. So far, 153 new graduates and over 770 new apprenticeship and trainee positions have been created which represents a considerable contribution to the industrial skill base supporting Scotland’s future economic development.”