Perth headquartered Meldrum Joinery and Building is the first firm to benefit from a fund launched by historic charitable organisation, Perth Guildry, to help heritage trade companies based in Perth and Guildtown take on and train up an apprentice.
The heritage trades apprenticeship fund, which has won the backing of MSP for Perthshire North, John Swinney, seeks to assist traditional heritage trade companies based in Perth and Guildtown who are keen to expand their businesses by taking on an apprentice and have an enthusiasm for passing on their knowledge and experience to a younger generation.
Through the fund Perth Guildry will cover the cost of any external training or tools required by the apprentice in his or her new role; however, the fund does not cover the salary of the apprentice. Perth Guildry will accept applications from heritage trade companies including drystone dykers, stonemasons, jewellers, clock makers, carpenters, blacksmiths, tailors, thatchers, French polishers and kilt makers, plus many more.
Meldrum Joinery and Building, owned by the Petterson family since 1951, and headquartered in the Inveralmond Industrial Estate in Perth, is a joinery and building services specialist, and employs thirty highly trained and experienced joinery and building professionals. The company recently employed an apprentice in November 2022, Tai McLusky, 21, who is being trained up as a multi-skilled joinery tradesman. Funding approved from Perth Guildry will allow Tai to take a three-year course at Perth College UHI in carpentry and joinery (SVQ) which will begin in January 2024. The funding also covers the cost of new tools Tai requires as part of his new role and for his course at Perth College UHI.
Derek Petterson, CEO of PGC Group, which includes Meldrum Joinery and Building and its sister company McLeod Glaziers, said: “We’re very grateful to The Guildry for providing this funding opportunity. We’re passionate about introducing young people to our trade and the fund has provided the finance we need to provide our new apprentice with the expert external training and high spec equipment he needs to hit the ground running. We’re excited about his future with us.”
John Swinney commented: “I am delighted to support the Heritage Trades Apprenticeship Fund, which is a fantastic initiative by Perth Guildry. This fund will play an important role in preserving and promoting traditional heritage trades in our local communities, ensuring that valuable skills and knowledge are passed on to the next generation. I commend Meldrum Joinery and Building for their dedication to developing young workers like Tai and for investing in his future. I would also encourage other heritage trade companies in Perth and Guildtown to make contact with Perth Guildry to explore funding opportunities that may be available to them.”
Michael Gaffney, Lord Dean of Guild, said: “At Perth Guildry our history is steeped in the heritage trades and providing members and non-members with the financial assistance they required when they needed it most. It’s only right that, as we look to the future, we do all we can to help traditional heritage trades stay alive by introducing young people to heritage trades as a viable career choice. We’re delighted that Meldrum Joinery and Building has been able to benefit from the fund and we wish Tai all the best in his new role. We’re passionate about helping other young people to discover a career in the heritage trades and I would encourage other heritage trade companies based in Perth and Guildtown who have recently taken on an apprentice, or are considering doing so, to get in touch with us as soon as possible.”
Companies who operate a business in the Perth area, or in Guildtown, and are considering taking on an apprentice should contact the Guild Clerk of Perth Guildry by e-mail (secretary@perthguildry.org.uk) as soon as possible for an application form to apply for the funding.