Sustainable Communities Programme

McTaggart Group, launched its Sustainable Communities Programme in 2017. Initially, the programme formalised and provided structure to the delivery of all activities related to the ‘Community Benefit’ obligations laid out by Scottish public sector contracts. However, McTaggart’s goes above and beyond its contractual commitments and the programme has become an integral element of the business’ sustainable growth strategy, including a re-working of the Group’s vision statement:

“We build sustainable homes and partnerships which go beyond bricks and mortar, adding tangible value to the communities we help create.”

In 2018 the programme won the ‘Community Contribution’ Award at the Scottish Home Awards 2018 and the ‘Business in the Community category of the Ayrshire Business Awards 2018.

Our bespoke programme has two strands:

1. Education & Employment

2. Community & Social Initiatives

Education & Employment

The Education & Employment element has been structured to identify and support all pathways into construction. Schools are at the heart of communities therefore starting at pre-school and nursery, we seek to raise awareness of the skills required and opportunities available in construction, rather than just deliver talks about the dangers of entering a building site.

At secondary school stage we commit time and resources to a small number of schools, as we believe this is the most effective way to raise attainment, rather than take a generic approach. Our two-year programmes at St Mungo’s Academy and Springburn Academy involve a 100 hour (per school) commitment incorporating classroom learning and site visits to apply that learning – which is delivered entirely by our own staff. At the end of the programme we will fund, and support pupils through their CSCS card, an industry recognised qualification.

Many of the 38 school pupils currently on our programme would otherwise leave school without any qualifications.

McTaggart has also delivered 5 Community based training academies. This has provided 50 young people with the opportunity to gain CSCS cards and boasts a 95% pass rate. This approach has worked with adult learning programmes and supported young people with additional support requirements such as ADHD and dyslexia.

Youth unemployment is a significant issue in the areas we build, therefore we have created partnerships with employability agencies such as the Wise Group, Action for Children, the Princes Trust, WorkingRite, Lowland Training and CEIS to proactively recruit young people as our work force of the future.

Last year, our focus on working in partnership with employability agencies provided 300 work placements and can report a 40% progression rate into employment within McTaggart Group.

Community & Social Initiatives

Through Community & Social Initiatives we can offer financial donations, material contribution, sponsorship, pro bono advice and business mentoring to local charities and community groups. This year we have ringfenced Community Funding initiatives to the value of £72,000.

“McTaggart Construction are a crucial partner. They are a company that is forward thinking and know that many of Glasgow’s ignored young people deserve a chance to succeed. The support given to young people during work placements and opportunities to progress into employment are to be commended. Such partnerships are rare and are key to the success and future of the construction industry.”
– First Step Future Training – George Bruce, Operations Manager

“McTaggart Construction as a business partner have broken the mould to what can be achieved through an Education Business Partnership. The level of commitment and opportunities created for our students has led to a whole new subject choice for our students. The value to our school is immeasurable.”
-P McWatt – Deputy Head, St Mungos Academy

We support local and national campaigns, earlier this year Go Constructs’ ‘Pride and Joy’ campaign launched as part of National Apprenticeship Week. McTaggart were the only Scottish contractor to feature in the video, which you can watch below.