Bursary support and job boost help Arran start to build his dream career

Arran Love, 17, has just started studying for a degree in Architecture at Strathclyde University with the help of a £1500 Wheatley Foundation education bursary.

And at the same time, the youngster is developing his on-the-job skills by working one day a week as an assistant at MAST Architects.

Arran, who spent four weeks working at MAST over the summer, said: “I’m really grateful for this opportunity.

“I always enjoyed creating and building models when I was a kid so studying architecture seemed a natural thing to do.

“The bursary really helped me. It takes away the stress of worrying about buying textbooks and materials and travel expenses.

“Working at MAST is great. Everyone is very friendly and I’m learning so much, picking up new skills, learning new software. It’s a really good experience for me.”

Wheatley Group’s ‘community benefit’ clauses require contractors and suppliers to deliver wider social benefits such as jobs and training opportunities, donations and support for local community activities.

Arran is the fifth bursary recipient MAST Architects has taken on, while the firm’s staff have also taught digital skills and life drawing classes in Wheatley communities and helped design a community garden in Scotstoun. Staff have also volunteered at the Starter Packs charity in Govan.

Michael Jarvis, Director of MAST Architects, said: “We do a lot of work with Wheatley and we are very conscious of our social responsibility, so we are delighted to have Arran working with us.

“He’s doing really well. He’s very studious and very keen to learn. He’s handling quite complicated tasks and showing maturity beyond his years. Arran has definitely got a job at MAST when he qualifies.”

Laura Pluck, Wheatley’s Group Director of Communities, added: “We always want our customers to fulfil their potential and this is a fantastic example of how our education bursaries and our community benefits scheme can really support people in achieving their dreams.

“It’s great to hear how well Arran is doing and I wish all the best for the future.”

Wheatley Foundation education bursaries are worth up to £1500 for full-time students and £750 for part-time studies for people studying for an HNC, HND, undergraduate or postgraduate degree.

The bursaries are available to people living in homes owned by one of Wheatley’s social landlords – Wheatley Homes Glasgow, Wheatley Homes East, Wheatley Homes South and Loretto Housing – and people who live in a home factored by or rented from Lowther.

Applications open in May next year.