Carillion's apprenticeships on major infrastructure projects: FOI release

FOI reference: FOI/18/00271
Date received: 29 January 2018
Date responded: 23 February 2018

Information requested

A breakdown and explanation as to how Carillion's apprenticeships along Scotland's major infrastructure projects will be maintained despite the Carillion's insolvency? Could you also inform me whether any of these apprenticeships will be cut?

Response

While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the Scottish Government does not have some of the information you have requested. Therefore we are refusing your request under the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs. Under the terms of the exception at regulation 10(4)(a) of the EIRs (information not held), the Scottish Government is not required to provide information which it does not have. The Scottish Government does not have the information you have requested because the Scottish Government is not responsible for information relating to Carillion apprenticeships.

This exception is subject to the 'public interest test'. Therefore, taking account of all the circumstances of this case, we have considered if the public interest in disclosing the information outweighs the public interest in applying the exception. We have found that, on balance, the public interest lies in favour of upholding the exception. While we recognise that there may be some public interest in information about Carillion's apprenticeships clearly we cannot provide information which we do not hold.

However, you may wish to contact Stephen Blakey, Commercial Projects Director, Infrastructure Projects, Network Rail at stephen.blakey@networkrail.co.uk who may be able to help you.

Notwithstanding this, as of Carillion's announcement on the 15 January 2018, I can advise that 4 apprentices were employed by Carillion on the Aberdeen Western Peripheral Route/Balmedie to Tipperty (AWPR/B-T) Project. Of these apprentices, 3 have been employed by the other members of the Joint Venture responsible for the construction of the project (Balfour Beatty and Galliford Try) and the fourth has been transferred to the parent company.

Furthermore, Skills Development Scotland and the Construction Industry Training Board will continue to monitor the situation closely. The Construction Industry Training Board has committed to putting support in place to help affected apprentices and Skills Development Scotland has contingencies in place to help any modern apprentice in a potential redundancy situation.

Support will also be provided to individuals looking for alternative employment, such as through the Adopt an Apprentice scheme and the PACE service. The official receiver will be in contact with all apprentices to notify them of the implications of this situation.

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