Space Solutions, Scotland’s leading workplace design specialists, has helped Sky – the UK’s leading media and entertainment provider – to open a new training and recruitment centre in Livingston.

The £2 million Talent Hub – which was officially opened by Scottish Enterprise Minister Jim Mather in December – houses training rooms and workstations with state-of-the-art technology which helps train staff working in Sky’s contact centre operation.

Sky employs approximately 6,000 people in Scotland and the company is committed to ensuring its staff deliver great service to customers.

Space Solutions oversaw the refurbishment of the 500 sq/m former pump manufacturing warehouse in Livingston’s Kirkton Campus, handling all design, project management and quantity surveying.

A key element of the project was for the refurbishment to be completed with contractors Sir Robert McAlpine within a tight 12 week timeframe to ensure Sky were able to use the facility to train contact centre staff ahead of the peak Christmas period.

Space Solutions Associate Director Clive Cruickshank said while the project was challenging they were delighted to complete the contract on time and on budget.

Clive said: “We effectively completed a four month refurbishment project in 10 weeks. 

“We knew the timescale was critical as Sky was recruiting for the peak Christmas rush and the facility had to be ready in time to allow staff to be properly trained to work in the contact centre.

“That meant working very closely with Sir Robert McAlpine and other suppliers to ensure there was no slippage in the workflow.

“We had a team of five working effectively constantly on the project to deliver the project on time.

“The design brief also threw up a range of challenges as we had to transform a building that previously made hydraulic pumps into suites of training and assessment rooms – as well as a reception area styled to look like a living room.”

The design team were also tasked to ensure the building met with BREEAM standards, which involved considering a number of initiatives such as mixed heating/cooling, cycle racks and sensor controlled lighting.

Louise Alford, Sky’s Director of Business HR, said: “The Talent Hub is part of our commitment to create the best possible environment to recruit, train and develop our people. I’m confident everyone will relish the chance to undertake training to achieve their full potential and deliver the great service our customers demand.”

Jo McIntosh, Senior Project Manager for Sky, said: “There was a tight timescale for this project. But thanks to the relationships we have developed with Space Solutions and other contractors, and indeed through their commitment to the project, we were able to work together to successfully complete the refurbishment.”

Space Solutions is Scotland’s biggest independent expert in helping businesses manage changes within the workplace. It operates UK-wide to design, build, fit-out, refurbish and relocate modern and productive business environments.

Public Relations agency the Holyrood PR provides PR Scotland for Space Solutions.