Hundreds of jobs are being created with the construction of a new hospital.

The training and recruitment centre at the site of the South Glasgow Hospital will create more than 380 jobs and almost 200 work experience placements, according to the Scottish Government.

The centre was opened in June 2011 to maximise the opportunities for local people and help people get into the construction industry.

So far, 285 jobs have been filled, with 82 of these going to 16 to 24-year-olds. A total of 185 of the workers are new to the building trade.

A total of 47 apprenticeships have been filled so far, more than half the 88 apprenticeships the project aims to create.

It also plans to give 188 youngsters from local schools and colleges work experience places, with 141 such placements already having been set up.

Health Secretary Nicola Sturgeon visited the site and hailed it as "a fantastic example of how continued investment in health can help to create local jobs for local people".

She added: "The Scottish Government is working closely with our partner agencies to create new jobs and investment across Scotland, and positive announcements, such as this one in Govan, will deliver new jobs, investment and opportunities to the local community.

"I was delighted to meet with some of the local people who have benefited from this project and see the difference it is making to their lives."

The training and recruitment centre was set up by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (NHSGGC) board, together with the Glasgow Regeneration Agency and the construction firm building the new hospital, Brookfield Multiplex,

Health board chairman Andrew Robertson said: "The new South Glasgow Hospitals project will not only deliver a world class, state-of-the-art healthcare facility, but from the initial planning stages NHSGGC established community benefit at the heart of the project.

"Fundamental to this approach has been to support individuals into recruitment and training. With the completion of the new laboratory building, today marks an important milestone in delivering on the commitment made to communities."

With the work now moving into the main construction phase for both the adult and children's hospitals, Mr Robertson said the opening of the new recruitment and training facility reinforced the "continued commitment to creating opportunities".

Calum Graham, of the Glasgow Regeneration Agency, said: "Despite the current economic conditions, there are many positive opportunities on the horizon for Glasgow and its people."

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