Life Sciences Innovation Centre - a catalyst for growth

LSIC offers top class growth opportunities, however, its benefit to the region started well before its doors opened. The construction journey in itself is a tale of economic prosperity and community enrichment.

The LSIC contract was awarded to Elgin based Robertson Construction Northern Limited in 2021. The procurement process offers much more than a financial transaction. In addition to standard questions on how the construction contract would be delivered and what it could cost, we required bidders to provide community benefits. Robertson aligned these to the project to maximise local social impact and support community wealth building.

Results delivered include:

• £4.5M spend with subcontractors within the HIE area;
• recruitment of 18 additional members of staff and 1 apprentice;
• 5 work experience placements;
• visits to a number of schools in Inverness and Dingwall ranging from real life practical skills such as how to use maths in construction through to conducting mock interviews with pupils;
• face-to-face workshops on career pathways, CV/applications and interview skills; with pupils in S5/6 at Kilchuimen Academy in Fort Augustus which helped them achieve Level 4 Scottish Credit and Qualifications SCQF in Employability skills;
• hosting school site visits to see a project in delivery;
• site team donated time and resources to build planters on Inverness Campus pedestrian area; and
• access to mental health talks from Mikeysline for both employees and the wider supply chain.

Community benefits provide a valuable opportunity for those developing our economy to choose fairer change. By prioritising these benefits our agencies, local councils, health, universities, colleges, housing associations, and private sector employers can help tackle long standing challenges and inequalities within communities.