North Ayrshire Council Press Release:

Local Business and Council Unite to Support Challenge Poverty Week 2025

A family-run business in the Garnock Valley has pledged its support for Challenge Poverty Week 2025 and is calling on employers across Ayrshire to continue investing in local communities.

North Ayrshire Council is also proudly backing the initiative once again, demonstrating its ongoing commitment to supporting residents through challenging times.

Challenge Poverty Week (October 6 to 12) highlights the reality of poverty and explores practical ways to improve life for people who are struggling to make ends meet.

Organised by The Poverty Alliance, the week of events and awareness raising activities encourages communities to come together, support one another and inspire positive change in attitudes towards poverty.

This marks the tenth consecutive year the Council has demonstrated its support, with this year’s activities focusing on the following themes:

• Social security – building a foundation for a better life
• Better jobs, pay, hours, conditions and worker voice
• Better investment in life’s essentials
• Better investment in our communities and
• Warm homes, green travel and safe climate with time for reflection on Saturday and Sunday.

J&D Pierce, a structural steelwork contractor based in Glengarnock, is a Living Wage employer.

For the past 20 years, the company has recruited new apprentices and provided training to equip these apprentices with the skills needed for a career in the business.

Director Andrew Caldwell explained: “We pay the Living Wage as a minimum, and this helps us to recruit and – more importantly – retain staff.

“Our training academy was set up 20 years ago. Through this, we bring in entry-level labourers, and many of them want to progress within the business.

“So, we put them on a six-month training scheme, where they are mentored by time-served welders and fabricators, and they become either a fully-qualified welder or plater. This gives people a chance to further their career and earn a better wage.”

Between eight and ten apprentices are recruited every year, and the firm currently has in the region of 52 apprentices across the business.

Funding support from the Council over the years has helped the company to train local apprentices and other staff.

“It is very important for us, as a business, to reduce poverty locally. Hopefully, other companies within the Ayrshire region would also look at creating opportunities for people who are unemployed. This would dramatically help to reduce the numbers of people living in poverty,” added Mr Caldwell.

Here in North Ayrshire, throughout Challenge Poverty Week, the Council’s social media channels will be used to highlight a range of activities and services.

The Council’s top priorities include reducing child poverty and supporting residents through the ongoing Cost-of-living Crisis.

Council Leader Marie Burns said: “I believe that employers across Ayrshire have a responsibility to implement Fair Work principles, to look after their staff and pay them enough to have a decent standard of living.

“The company’s approach to employing and retaining staff is a great example of the Community Wealth Building economic model. This sees wealth being retained in North Ayrshire thanks to the Council and partners increasing employment and using local produce and resources – and it is at the heart of our continuing drive to improve life for residents.

“It is vital that responsible local employers, such as J&D Pierce, employ people from their community where possible and help residents get back to work and gain new skills.”

Existing financial support available through the Council includes: Crisis and Community Care Grants; free school meals and clothing grants; Council Tax reduction and Discretionary Housing Payment.

If you – or someone you now –  needs help with Cost-of-Living support, please visit the Council’s dedicated webpage at Help with the cost of living

You can find out more about the work of the Poverty Alliance here: Challenge Poverty Week – The Poverty Alliance

Follow the Council’s social media channels, using #ChallengePoverty and #CPW25, to find out more.

We recently celebrated our 50th Anniversary in style with a spectacular evening at the Hilton Glasgow Ballroom in June. The milestone event brought together employees past and present to honour five decades of hard work, growth, and success. Guests enjoyed a sparkling drinks reception, followed by a delicious three-course dinner, employee recognition awards, and top-tier entertainment that kept the celebrations going into the night.

It was a fitting tribute to the incredible dedication, talent, and passion that have shaped J&D Pierce into one of the UK’s leading structural steelwork specialists. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, memories, and pride as we reflected on our journey and looked ahead to a bright future.

We would like to extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us and helped make the night so special.

We’re proud to share the latest progress from our ongoing work at the Elixir Distillers project on the beautiful Isle of Islay. This bespoke new-build distillery is nearing completion, and key elements of the installation are now in place. The Kingspan KS1000RW roof panels have been successfully installed at a 40° pitch using the Cladboy vacuum lifter and JDP GMK3060L crane, ensuring a precise and efficient fit. Meanwhile, the Kingspan K-Roc Karrier panel system has been fitted to the building’s elevations to support an external render system, with the help of the Cladboy and Roto 360 telehandler.

Additional highlights include the installation of anodized copper-effect rainscreen panels and anodized Kingfisher louvres, both adding striking visual and functional elements to the exterior. McKenzie Martin Kenstack roof vents have been integrated to support ventilation requirements, and their bespoke turret louvres have been installed on the unique kiln rooftop. As we enter the final stages of this prestigious project, our team is focused on completing the rainscreen and louvre works, bringing this iconic distillery on the Islay coastline ever closer to completion.

The first section of the new Clifton Bridge has officially begun its journey to the construction site just south of Penrith. This major infrastructure project is a vital replacement for the West Coast Main Line bridge spanning the M6 motorway. The initial delivery – the East Pier Box – is an engineering feat in itself, measuring 21.2 metres long, 4.1 metres wide, and 3.15 metres high, and tipping the scales at a massive 84 tonnes.

This marks the first of ten major loads scheduled over the next five weeks. The coming deliveries will include the heaviest component also at 84 tonnes, and the longest reaching an impressive 38 metres. Stay tuned for more updates as the project progresses and this essential bridge takes shape.