West College Scotland has been officially recognised as a Living Wage employer.  The accreditation comes from the Poverty Alliance which says paying the Living Wage is one of the best ways of tackling in-work poverty. 

The College joins 3,000 organisations across the UK that have volunteered to be Living Wage employers.

West College Scotland Principal, Audrey Cumberford, said:

“The College is delighted to receive the Living Wage Mark from the Poverty Alliance.  We have 1,300 people working for us, which makes us one of the biggest employers in the entire region.  This includes hundreds of staff in Clydebank, Greenock and Paisley.  

“We are part of those communities and gaining this recognition confirms how much we value our staff and how seriously we take our responsibility for their well-being.

“No-one working for the College is paid below the £8.45 hourly rate which constitutes the living wage, so being awarded the Living Wage Mark is a very public endorsement of the best practice which already exists at West College Scotland.”

Peter Kelly, Director of the Poverty Alliance, commented:

“I am delighted to welcome West College Scotland to the Living Wage Employer movement. Living Wage accreditation is the mark of a responsible employer.

“With more than half of children in poverty in Scotland living in a household where someone works, paying a real Living Wage that reflects the cost of living has never been more important.

“I congratulate the College on their accreditation as a Living Wage Employer and I hope more organisations in Scotland will follow their lead by getting in touch with us.”