Students who joined the country-wide programme in 2021 have now been given a range of permanent roles from carpenters to FM and catering assistants. As part of the Amey team, they will now develop their experience and help provide a sustainable workforce for the organisations FM contracts across the region.

The Kickstart scheme, announced by the Chancellor in 2020, is a training programme that aims to secure quality job roles for unemployed young people between the ages of 16-24, for a minimum of 25 hours a week for a period of six months. It works by providing participants with confidence, experience, and skills through on-the-job training.

Amey delivers facilities and estate management services to the Glasgow and Renfrewshire Schools Private Finance Initiative across an estate of 39 schools. Involvement in the Kickstart initiative forms part of Amey Secure Infrastructure’s ongoing people commitments which aim provide young people with quality job opportunities – particularly those in hard-to-reach areas.

Lee Robertson, who was recently awarded a carpentry apprenticeship, following six months on the Kickstart Scheme said: “Earlier in the year my brother Kieran had secured a permanent caretaker role with a professional qualification at Amey, so I knew it was a fantastic organisation to be part of. Throughout the program, I have increased my confidence levels and responsibilities week on week. From the start I showed my commitment and interest in progressing my career and I am over the moon that Amey recognised these ambitions.”

Stephanie Johnson, secure infrastructure HR director, added: “Lee has proved to be a real asset to our team, supporting the account by taking on additional responsibilities and going above and beyond in his day-to-day role. He is a real ‘shining star’ and has received nothing but praise from both his people manager and the client.

“Ensuring that Amey has a highly skilled and sustainable pipeline of talent is at the heart of our people agenda. The Kickstart programme has provided us with the ability to search out talent from hard-to-reach areas and work with them to develop their own abilities.”