Saturday March 8th 2025
In the picture from left to right are: Andrew Lamond, Director, The Energy Training Academy; Nicola Melvin, Director, Buildu Scotland; Jamie Lawson, Strategic Partnership & Engagement Lead, Social Enterprise Scotland.
Written by Midlothian View Reporter, Luke Jackson
Midlothian Council is the third local authority in Scotland to sign the Buy Social Pledge, an initiative that empowers organisations to use their purchasing power for social and environmental good across Scotland’s communities.
The pledge, run by Social Enterprise Scotland, brings together corporate businesses, SMEs, academic institutions, and public sector bodies in a shared commitment to integrating social enterprises into their supply chains. It allows businesses and institutions to harness their purchasing power and contribute to positive social change in the communities in which they work.
Organisations who sign up to the Buy Social Pledge commit to promoting inclusive economic growth. The pledge signifies a transformative approach, where businesses become the key drivers for positive, measurable change in the communities.
Committed to fostering social value and community wellbeing through its procurement practices, Midlothian Council, where possible, includes social enterprises in invitations to tender.
Midlothian Council’s Cabinet Member for Economic Development, Councillor Colin Cassidy said: “We want to make sure we spend money on high quality services that also deliver social change by creating local jobs and opportunities for disadvantaged groups in our communities.”
Recently the Energy Training Academy (CIC) was awarded the Midlothian Council contract to deliver the Green Skills Programme and the Managed Learning Programme. The Green Skills Programme trains tradespeople to install heat pumps, solar panels and battery storage. The Managed Learning Programme trains local unemployed people to become qualified gas and heat pump engineers.
Andrew Lamond, Co-Founder of the Energy Training Academy CIC said: “We’re thrilled to be part of this important initiative, we have been working closely with Midlothian Council to provide real opportunities to local people, up-skill the workforce, and contribute to a greener, more sustainable future. The Buy Social Pledge should enable us to extend the geographic reach of our top-tier training and also create lasting, positive social change in more communities in Scotland.”
Jamie Lawson, Strategic Partnerships and Engagement Manager at Social Enterprise Scotland said: “We are delighted to welcome Midlothian Council as the latest local authority to join the Buy Social Pledge.
“By committing to purchase from social enterprises, the council is not only delivering exceptional value to its residents but is also supporting sustainable business practises that benefit society as a whole.
“We hope their example will inspire other councils across Scotland to harness the power of social enterprise and drive meaningful, lasting change.”
Social enterprises are businesses that reinvest their profits into social and environmental causes, making them powerful vehicles for positive change.
For more information about the pledge, and to get involved to champion change, drive progress and build a better future for both business and communities in Scotland, please visit www.buysocialscotland.com/business/buy-social-pledge
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