City must be ready when opportunity knocks, says Purcell
November 23, 2009
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Glasgow is looking beyond the recession and equipping young workers with new skills to build a stronger economy, the 12th annual State of the City Economy Conference heard.
Lauding the Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative and renewing the city’s commitment to it, Council Leader Steven Purcell said the city was preparing for an economic upturn by building the pool of skilled labour.
More than 1000 qualified school leavers who applied to the scheme launched in March 2008, are in apprenticeships or on a National Progression Award that will lead to an apprenticeship.
The scheme is aimed at equipping the city with the talent to turn the 2014 Commonwealth Games blueprint into reality.
‘I don’t know how long this recession will last, but I do know that at some point we will come out of it and when that happens, we must ensure that Glasgow comes out of it stronger than when we went in,’ Mr Purcell said.
In a bullish address to delegates at the Radisson Hotel on Argyle Street, the Council Leader cited 1,300 new jobs in the nearby financial district, retail expansion in the St Enoch’s Centre and a planned expansion for Buchanan Galleries as evidence of Glasgow’s resilience.
Hotel occupancy rates have risen to 81% over the past two years, he added, with additional room space to come.
The volume of private sector planning permissions granted in 2008-09, suggests that developers continue to have faith in the city’s potential, he said.
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