The LendInvest Property Development Academy, a non-profit skills initiative, has launched in Scotland to equip more of the country’s aspiring housebuilders and property developers with the skills they need to secure finance and build more homes on Scottish streets.

Kevin Stewart MSP and Scottish Housing Minister joined attendees at the two-day course in Central Edinburgh on Thursday afternoon to mark the Academy’s Scottish launch.

To date, LendInvest has lent more than £1 billion to borrowers to buy, build or renovate almost 4,000 homes in 120 UK towns and cities.

Stewart said: “It is essential that we get more enterprising developers delivering the housing stock we need, where we need it most. Small developers are essential to a healthy property market and initiatives like the LendInvest Property Development Academy demonstrate the opportunity for industry, government and communities to work together to build more homes.”

The LendInvest Property Development Academy was launched in 2016 and runs two-day courses in five cities across the UK: Edinburgh, London, Manchester, Bristol and Birmingham. Through intensive training, case studies and talks by industry experts, Academy courses aim to create a new generation of property entrepreneurs. More than 200 students will attend courses nationwide during 2017.

Ian Thomas, chief investment officer at LendInvest, added: “This Development Academy provides Scottish property entrepreneurs with the tools they need to get their projects off the ground, supporting them to navigate the challenges of securing land, obtaining finance, and ultimately adding new homes to Scotland’s housing stock.”