A total of 42 apprenticeships have been created across the country by suppliers – in direct response to receiving spend from councils, through Scotland Excel contracts.

The Furnishing Service (TFS) in East Kilbride – a supplier on the Scotland Excel Domestic Furniture and Furnishings Framework – has employed 10 apprenticeships through the framework in the past year.

Since Scotland Excel began its drive to secure community benefits for the country back in 2013, a total of 481 apprenticeships have been delivered through its frameworks.

Councillor John Shaw, convener of Scotland Excel, said: “Apprenticeships play a vital role in Scotland’s economy by creating a competitive and competent workforce for the country and we’re very proud that Scotland Excel’s community benefits programme has contributed to this. The community benefits we secure through our contracts are an important social value return to communities from public spend – and apprenticeships will continue to be a key focus of this for us.

“It is wonderful news that 42 apprenticeship opportunities have been created in the past year and my congratulations go to TFS for delivering 10 of these.”

As well as delivering apprenticeships via the Scotland Excel Framework, in the past year TFS has also created 11 work placements for adults and provided around 2,000 hours of work experience for school pupils.

Dylan Quinn, age 18, from Hamilton joined TFS as a Modern Apprentice in the Customer Service Team in June 2024. Dylan added: “TFS have supported me in the workplace by having colleagues in the office with me to support and help me when I am unsure on what to do. This has helped me grow more confidence and independence when dealing with problems. I have learned valuable skills such as communication skills, how to speak to customers and being able to solve different problems day to day.”

The scale of community benefits returned to councils and their communities is based on their usage of Scotland Excel frameworks. The more spend generated with a supplier; the greater the level of community benefits the supplier delivers.

The Domestic Furniture and Furnishings Framework helps local authorities and social landlords deliver essential crisis support services to households. It enables organisations to quickly and efficiently provide furniture and furnishings to people facing crisis or who need support to set up a home, by sourcing from framework suppliers.