Mitie has been named as a member of The 5% Club which works to create a shared prosperity across the UK by campaigning for greater skills training through ‘earn and learn’ job opportunities. The appointment follows the facility services provider’s consistent commitment to apprenticeships which includes being listed as a “Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer” –…
Apprenticeships
Compass Group’s annual Apprentice Chef of the Year final saw eight of the company’s apprentices demonstrate their skills within a competitive setting. Held at the group’s headquarters in Chertsey, each finalist was presented with a box of mystery ingredients and then tasked with creating a two-course meal in just two hours. The competition was incredibly…
Employers interested in learning about the new Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship are being urged to sign up for a series of Zoom information sessions starting in October. The Cleaning Hygiene Operative Apprenticeship (Level 2), which is due to be launched early in 2024, will provide a way for cleaning and hygiene businesses to invest compulsory…
Alan Wilson, managing director of Scotland’s largest construction trade association SELECT, has told a radio audience that training and apprenticeships are key to electrical safety.Speaking as a guest on the popular, Building Ideas Show with Mark Millar on Fix Radio, Wilson said young people gain a thorough and rigorous grounding in quality and site safety via industry-recognised apprenticeships.…
Apprentices from across the UK’s hospitality industry have been celebrated at the Purple Umbrella Awards held at BAFTA 195, the British Academy of Film and Television in London. Organised by Umbrella Training and hosted by 2012 MasterChef winner, TV chef, restaurateur and cookbook author Shelina Permalloo, the awards were presented to talented chefs, staff, supervisors and managers from…
A £500,000 donation from Compass Group will support delivery of hospitality and professional services apprenticeships by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA). Made via the Apprenticeship Levy Fund, the funding will help people gain the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed to enter and progress within the hospitality sector and give West Midlands businesses access to…
The Level 3 Lifting Equipment Technician Apprenticeship is now available in England as an Open Programme which delivers teaching via online classrooms without any minimum cohort requirements. From August, one cohort will run every 3-months, with mock exams conducted at the Lifting Equipment Engineers Association (LEEA) in Huntingdon and End Point Assessment delivered on-site. This…
Hospitality apprenticeship provider Umbrella Training has won a Princess Royal Training Award for the second time in recognition of the organisation’s commitment to learning and development. Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal, President of the City and Guilds of London Institute, approved Umbrella alongside 52 recipients this year, recognising their unwavering dedication to training, outstanding…
In advance of International Women in Engineering Day on 23rd June, Jamie Dunn, National Electrical, Control and Instrumentation Engineer (UK) at Veolia, tells Facilities Management Magazine why she got into engineering. How did you get into Engineering? Growing up, I had a keen interest in “how things worked”. As a kid my Dad would take me…
Scotland’s leading electrical bodies are celebrating after securing additional funding for apprentices and adult trainees. The Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust (SECTT), Scottish Joint Industry Board (SJIB), Unite the Union and campaigning trade association SELECT had been lobbying for additional places after initial fears that there would be a shortfall in funding for new learners signing up for 2023-4. However, it…
Serco has partnered with the Clontarf Foundation to provide A$50,000 of support for male Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander students in educational academies across Australia. Established in 2000, the Clontarf Foundation works to improve the education, discipline, life skills, self-esteem and employment prospects of young Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander men, equipping them to participate…
John McPherson, UK Managing Director of Business & Industry at global facility services provider ABM, comments on the announcement of ‘returnership’ apprenticeships targeting the over 50s in Chancellor of the Exchequer, Jeremy Hunt’s Spring Budget. The facilities management industry has been facing a skills gap for many years. At the heart of that challenge is…
Jim Melvin, Chairman of the British Cleaning Council (BCC), comments as proposals for an Apprenticeship Levy funded industry-wide training scheme for the cleaning and hygiene sector are submitted to the approving body. It is hoped that the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (iATE) will give the final agreement and confirmation for the Apprenticeship Standard…
Opportunities abound for those who dare, says Leigh Anderson, managing director of Bis Henderson Recruitment as the UK commemorates National Apprenticeship Week 2023. Until recently, very few civilians had much idea about what ‘logistics’ meant – something military perhaps? Or something to do with drivers and shelf-stackers? At any rate, not an obvious career recommendation…
As the United Kingdom marks National Apprenticeship Week, Karen Boswell OBE, managing director of BDR Thermea Group business Baxi UK and Ireland, explains why encouraging more young people into heating engineering is essential. With government mandates for greenhouse gas emission reduction looming, concern around the lack of new talent entering the heating engineering and manufacturing…
A trainee solicitor who demonstrated drive and determination pursuing a career in the law has been named Apprentice of the Year at the regional 2022 in-Cumbria Business Awards in Carlisle, northern England. Holly was the first apprentice solicitor in Cumbria and is currently five years into a six-year apprenticeship with Cartmell Shepherd, which operates across…
FIS and The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers have announced the winners of their annual Training Awards at a gala lunch which was held at Plaisterers’ Hall in the City of London. The Awards are a collaboration between FIS and The Worshipful Company of Plaisterers to recognise outstanding apprentices, students, individuals and organisations who have made…
Connor Cruden, who in 2020 completed his four-year plumbing apprenticeship having come top in 2019 at the SkillPLUMB UK finals to find the country’s most accomplished apprentice plumber, is now preparing to take on the world’s elite at the WorldSkills Plumbing finals due to be held in the Black Forest town of Lahr, Germany, between…
Finishes and Interiors Sector (FIS) and the Worshipful Company of Plaisterers have announced the 694th Lord Mayor of the City of London, Nicholas Lyons, will attend a presentation event for their annual training awards on 22nd November. The presence of the Lord Mayor of the City of London continue a tradition established by previous holders…
As the UK marks Hospitality Apprenticeships Week, Jonathan Foot, Compass Group’s Head of Apprenticeships and Early Careers, discusses the company’s Junior Chef Academy and other initiative it is engaging with to attract talent into the catering and hospitality sector. Hospitality Apprenticeships Week is upon us and it’s the perfect chance to shout about the fantastic…
ABM UK has opened its doors to a fifth cohort of participants on its Junior Engineering Engagement Programme (J.E.E.P.), and added another school to its roster. The 2022 programme kicked off at Bobby Moore Academy in London with the immersive course then touring schools in Bradford, Manchester and London between September and December. While previous years have focused primarily on the engineering side of…
UK facilities management provider Wates FM is investing in the future workforce with a year-long apprenticeship programme at its flagship residency contract at Twycross Zoo in Leicestershire. The apprenticeship programme will see local 17-year-old Abi complete a Level 2 NVQ in facilities management, working full time on site with Wates FM while undertaking online study…
Pinnacle Group subsidiary Pinnacle Power is claiming a UK first following the development of a new Heat Maintenance Technician Apprenticeship programme. The new 36-month apprenticeship aims to support the UK’s journey to net zero, building on the sustainable energy expertise that Pinnacle provides its private and public sector commercial and residential property clients. Initial approval…
Compass Group UK & Ireland hosted 60 people at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium at its annual Apprentice Chef of the Year dinner on 5th July. The event was catered for by Compass apprentices, with the menu being created and the brigade led by Lorcán Leavy, Apprentice Commis Chef for Restaurant Associates – Compass’ Apprentice Chef of…
On International Women in Engineering Day, Rocio Roldan Aguayo, CEng MIChemE and Veolia Process Engineer, discusses her route into the profession with FM Magazine. Why/what made you choose a career in engineering? At high school, I was good at STEM subjects and so it made sense to study a related degree. When thinking about what…
Emma Dickson, Technical Director at Arcadis and industry co-chair of the Scottish Construction Leadership Forum’s Skills and Workforce sub group, presents the case for non-apprenticeship based training routes into the construction industry. Employers in the construction industry in Scotland hardly need to be reminded of the skills shortages which are hampering the industry as it…
Sean Haley, Chair of Sodexo UK & Ireland, responds to the UK spring budget statement and the development of apprenticeship standards. At Sodexo we are so pleased that the Chancellor took time in what was a critical and highly-anticipated spring statement to talk about apprenticeships and the apprenticeship levy. The themes he picked up on…
Compass is partnering with Scotland’s only two Michelin-starred Chef, Stephen McLaughlin as he becomes Culinary Ambassador for Compass Scotland. This arrangement will see McLaughlin, head chef of the acclaimed Restaurant Andrew Fairlie, contributing as a consultant for Compass Scotland. He will play a central role in the esteemed Compass Scotland apprenticeship and training programme and…
Centrepoint, one of the UK’s largest charities dedicated to combating youth homelessness, has released images of a new, 33-modular-home development for young people in Peckham, South London. Reuben House is part of the charity’s Independent Living Programme, which seeks to provide 300 young people a home and entry-level or apprenticeship roles that lead to full time…
Kier has launched a recruitment drive with over 1,200 jobs available across the Group. As one of the UK’s leading construction and infrastructure providers, the jobs will support new schools, hospitals, roads and rail projects in communities right across the UK. The recruitment drive will also help Kier to achieve its ambitions to bring a…
The British Cleaning Council (BCC) is urging employers, training operatives and providers and assessment organisations operating in the cleaning and hygiene sector to have their say on proposals for an Apprenticeship Levy accredited industry-wide training programme and apprenticeship. Consultation on proposals for the Cleaning Hygiene Operative apprenticeship opens today, Wednesday 26 January, and runs to…
Metal recycler EMR has invested £40,000 in a new workshop facility at HMP Forest Bank to enable inmates to gain key skills and employment opportunities as they prepare for their release. Offering an introduction to the recycling industry within the Sodexo operated prison, offenders have the opportunity to join a unique team removing tyres from…
ABM UK managing director, John McPherson, explains how collaboration can plug a widely reported technical skills gap in the UK. The events of the past 18 months have changed many things, but one which remains is the acute skills gap which the facilities management industry faces. There is no denying that the sector’s technical workforce…
17.11.2021, 11:24 Helping Reskill the Low Paid in London ABM has pledged £192,000 of unspent Apprenticeship Levy funding as part of a new initiative with the London Progression Collaboration (LPC) to support small and medium sized businesses and social enterprises with low paid workers. LPC, an innovative project that supports Londoners with starting high…
With rising ecommerce volumes combining with a driver shortage to create the perfect storm in the UK, Leigh Anderson, managing director at Bis Henderson Recruitment, explains how interim managers can provide the skills needed to save Christmas. At almost every point in every supply chain, companies are facing unprecedented levels of change and uncertainty. Challenges…
18.10.2021, 15:09 Celebrating Hospitality Apprenticeship Week 2021 With Hospitality Apprenticeship Week underway in the United Kingdom, Jonathan Foot, Head of Apprenticeships and Early Careers at Compass Group UK&I, explains why apprenticeships are relevant to people of all ages. At Compass Group UK and Ireland, we fully support any initiative which shines a light on our…
28.09.2021, 13:21 Mitie Welcomes Technical Apprentices Mitie has surpassed a target of recruiting 50 new technical apprentices in 2021 with the addition of a new intake of 41 apprentices to its Technical Services Apprenticeship Programme. The programme is offered by Mitie’s Technical Services Academy which offers development opportunities, including formal training and mentorship, to help colleagues…
26.08.2021, 08:56 Taking Culinary Apprenticeships Forward with Marcus Wareing Compass Group has launched a new apprenticeship programme in collaboration with Michelin-starred celebrity chef Marcus Wareing and hospitality training provider, HIT Training. ‘Forward with Marcus Wareing’ is an enhanced programme that complements the UK Level 4 Senior Culinary Chef and Level 5 Operations Departmental Manager apprenticeship…
The Trafford College Group has named Compass Group UK and Ireland ‘Hospitality Employer of the Year’ at its annual Apprenticeship of the Year Awards. The award recognises the foodservice giant’s commitment to training and development during a two-year collaboration with the Manchester based Further Education provider. Lola Docherty, Apprentice Business Development Manager – Hospitality, Hair and Beauty at…
11.02.2021, 13:20 UK Levy Transfer Scheme Underutilised A recent virtual roundtable attended by several leading organisations concluded the United Kingdom’s hospitality sector should be making better use of the levy transfer scheme for unused apprenticeship to tackle pending post-Covid-19 skills shortages. During the discussion which was organised by Umbrella Training to mark National Apprenticeship Week,…
09.02.2021, 08:59 Hiring the Smile, Training the Skill Jonathan Foot, Head of Apprenticeships & Early Careers at Compass Group UK & Ireland, considers some of the benefits of apprenticeships during National Apprenticeship Week. This week we are celebrating National Apprenticeship Week across England and Wales. At Compass Group UK & Ireland we have a passion…
08.02.2021, 11:31 Veolia Increases UK Apprenticeships Veolia is reporting a 115 per cent rise in intakes to its apprenticeships programme since 2017 as National Apprenticeship Week gets underway in the United Kingdom. In 2020, Veolia UK & Ireland which employs 340 apprentices across its organisation, welcomed 154 new starters, and retained 99 per cent of…
INvolve, the global network and consultancy championing diversity and inclusion in business, has named Jonathan Foot, Compass Group Head of Apprenticeships and managing director Robin Mills in its annual lists. The lists celebrate individuals across the globe who are driving change for inclusion in the workplace and beyond. It includes business leaders and allies who…
Compass Group UK and Ireland’s annual Compass Chef of the Year competition last week celebrated the depth of talent across the foodservice and facility services group. Despite operating a COVID safe format the competition remained as fierce as ever and the quality of food outstanding. Peter German from Restaurant Associates walked away as the 2020…
28.10.2020, 14:53 Showing Empathy Towards Care Leavers UK businesses need to demonstrate greater empathy for care leavers according to a communication from government-funded initiative, the Care Leaver Covenant, during National Care Leavers’ Week which ends on 1st November. The Care Leaver Covenant, which is funded by the Department for Education and delivered by social value…
09.10.2020, 16:30 LEEA Appointed As Apprenticeship End Point Assessor The Lifting Equipment Engineers Association has been appointed as an End Point Assessor (EPA) Organisation for the UK’s new Level 3 standard Lifting Equipment Technician’ apprenticeship programme. Apprentices are assessed at the end of an apprenticeship in an End Point Assessment (EPA), which is essentially a…
28.07.2020, 13:07 Celebrating Healthcare Heroes and BAME Apprentices Compass Group UK & Ireland has recognised the dedication of several staff deployed within the NHS, and the achievement of BAME apprentices who have recently been nominated for an award. Compass employees who have been singled out for mention contributed significantly to supporting the efforts of the…
20.02.2020, 12:26 Celebrating Apprenticeships Ian Williams joined thousands of other businesses across the UK to mark National Apprenticeship Week 2020 by holding its fourth Qualification Celebration Lunch (QCL). During the formal presentation ceremony in Bristol, apprentices, trainees and staff achievers came together with representatives from across the organisation to receive individual awards, hear presentations from…
07.02.2020, 15:13 Encouraging Apprenticeships Compass Group has teamed up with Highbury College, Portsmouth to re-launch its Junior Chef Academy, an after-school course for aspiring chefs aged 14 to 16 years. Utilising the talents of some of its most experienced chefs, the foodservice and facilities management services provider has introduced sessions with Women in Food Ambassador…
14.11.2019, 16:04 CITB Apprentice of the Year 2019 Ian Williams’ apprentice Zoe Evans has won awards in three categories at this year’s Construction Industry Training Board (CITB) Apprenticeship Awards. The 21-year old painter and decorator beat off the competition to win awards in the Regional Apprentice of the Year Wales West, Apprentice of the Year…
07.08.2019, 12:06 Launch of ‘Hospitality Superheroes’ Mentoring Programme With Hospitality Apprenticeship Week underway in the United Kingdom, Umbrella Training has introduced the ‘Hospitality Superheroes’ mentoring programme to inspire and support apprentices in the sector. The programme is being supported by fifteen high-profile people from the hospitality industry who will mentor Umbrella Apprentices working in restaurants,…
03.04.2019, 02:08 Celebrating Emerging Talent UK planned and responsive maintenance company Ian Williams’ annual Qualification Celebration Lunch for apprentices, trainees and staff achievers was held at Bristol’s Ashton Gate Stadium. The event marks the company’s commitment to delivering services in-house, as well as the achievement’s of The Ian Williams Academy’s apprenticeship programme – which delivered…
20.03.2019, 14:31 Supporting the Unemployed Compass Group has partnered with industry charity Springboard, One Housing Group and Your Story to host a UKHospitality and Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) event to provide support for unemployed people in London. The event in support of the DWP’s Hospitality Works 2019 campaign launched earlier this year under…
11.03.2019, 16:20 Purple Umbrella Award for Ritz Apprentice Holly Langan, an apprentice with The Ritz London, has been presented with a ‘Purple Umbrella’ award by Brian Turner CBE and Adele Oxberry, managing director of Umbrella Training, at a high-profile ceremony in London. Langan who is a member of the 5-star hotel’s hospitality team, was…
04.03.2019, 17:32 Squaring Apprenticeships with Skills Shortages ABM UK HR Director, Chris Townsend, says apprenticeships are an obvious solution to widely reported skills shortages reported in the facilities management industry. In the facilities management industry, the UK is suffering from a general skills shortage. Young people are typically not considering this industry as a…
04.03.2019, 14:07 Chubb Expands UK Apprenticeship Programme Carrier subsidiary Chubb Fire & Security employed more apprentices in 2018 than in any previous year, also expanding its intake to 28 apprentices across multiple engineering and non-engineering disciplines, including IT, finance and project management. Apprentices Ismail Badat and Taylor Murphy. © Chubb Fire & Security The…