Contract Scotland is providing work opportunities for skilled asylum seekers and refugees through The Bridges Programme, which places skilled refugees in UK industry.

The company has supplied Cumbernauld-based construction company Xircon with refugees Cuma Ulga from Turkey and Pierre Kathehe from the Congo.

Contract Scotland office manager Emma Watt told Recruiter: "These refugees are skilled in the construction sector, but do not know how transferable their skills are in the UK. We introduce them to our partners who understand these issues and give them the relevant training. We will do all that we can to help place people because it is benefiting our customers."

Contract Scotland has placed four people through The Bridges Programme and has a further four on its books.