Robertson Group has marked a significant milestone, supporting 1,000 young people across the UK to prepare for employment or further education through its Ideal Candidate Programme.

This initiative underscores the company's commitment to community wealth building and fostering economic growth by developing local workforces.

Launched in 2017, the Ideal Candidate Programme connects education and industry, providing participants with practical experience and developing valuable skills applicable to any future career path. The programme's core aim is to enhance the lives of young individuals, equipping them with the necessary knowledge and skills to create a strong pipeline of talent ready to enter the workforce and drive various industries forward.

The eight-week development programme is primarily tailored for those nearing school-leaving age but has also been successfully adapted for college students and employability groups. Participants engage in four key sessions covering crucial aspects of the employment process: employer expectations, CV writing, social media awareness, and interview preparation.

In Scotland, participants can achieve an SCQF Level 3 & 4 Certificate in Employability Skills through the programme, which is delivered in partnership with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), a Scottish Government initiative integrating education and employers as part of the Young Person’s Guarantee. Across the rest of the UK, Robertson collaborates with local partners and colleges to benchmark or accredit the learning outcomes.


Recent feedback from students at Glenrothes High School highlighted the programme's positive impact, with one student noting that "it helped me get a better understanding of the application process and improve my CV," while another described it as "really fun and delivered really well, I learnt multiple skills."

Lorraine Thomson, Teacher and DYW Coordinator at Beath High School in central Scotland, praised the programme for creating "meaningful, real-life experiences whilst developing the young people's employability skills," delivered by "industry experts and educators."

Robert Fairbairn, Head of Centre at Oastlers School in Bradford, commended Robertson for providing "invaluable hands-on learning experiences" and for the Ideal Candidate programme's structured, attachment-focused activities that support their students.

Elliot Robertson, Chief Executive Officer of Robertson Group, emphasised the company's commitment to preparing young people for the world of work: "Ensuring that young people are ready for the world of work is just one of the many initiatives that we run in the communities where we operate. Having established this programme, seeing 1,000 candidates complete the course brings us an immense sense of pride. As an industry, we need to address the skills shortage and gaps that are impacting our sector, although the course is suitable for any career path, if we are able to attract more young people to consider a career in construction then we are assuring a sustainable future and work ready generation to keep the construction industry thriving."

Graeme Hannah, Director of Sustainability and Social Impact at Robertson Group, added: "We launched the Ideal Candidate Programme to bridge the gap between education and employment, providing individuals with a stepping stone into the world of work. Our regional businesses carry out the programme across the UK, working successfully with local schools and organisations close to our projects. This way, we can provide real opportunities which deliver many socio-economic benefits for the local communities where we work. Reaching 1,000 participants is a fantastic milestone and one that we look forward to building on with support from our partners and dedicated teams."

Upon completion of the programme, many participants have been offered opportunities to further their experience through work placements or employment with Robertson or businesses supporting the initiative.