Coinciding with Scottish Apprenticeship Week (18-22 May), the organisation was presented with the IIYP accreditation on 20 May at the new Riverside Campus in Glasgow, where they are delivering the major new build of the iconic City of Glasgow College. An initiative from Investors in People Scotland, the IIYP scheme is supported by £1 million funding from the Scottish Government.

To mark the occasion, leader of project development at IIYP, Sophie Dawes, who first joined Investors in Young People as an apprentice, met some of FES’ talented and ambitious apprentices on site to hear about the training and recognition they have received.

Headquartered in Stirling, FES is currently working with Sir Robert McAlpine on the construction project for the new campuses, located at high profile locations in the centre of Glasgow and will cater for 40,000 students and 1,200 staff. When the project comes to a close in 2016, the FES Groups’ Facilities Management division FES FM (who have also been awarded the IIYP accreditation) will then commence a 25 year contract to maintain the facilities. This is just one example where FES are providing opportunities for young apprentices, taking the total of apprentices to nearly 1,400 since the company started in 1962.

Sophie Dawes commended the company for its commitment to young people and its strong focus on creating employment and training opportunities in Scotland’s building and construction sector. Since it was founded over 50 years ago, FES has heavily invested in establishing opportunities and apprenticeships for young people to work in building, mechanical and electrical services, renewables, construction and facilities management.

Speaking about the accreditation, Peter Russian chief executive of Investors in People, said: “I am delighted recognise for its commitment to youth employment FES. Over the last few years FES has introduced a number of youth employment programmes for staff, undergraduates and graduates who want to pursue a career in one of Scotland’s most buoyant sectors.

“It is the perfect example of what companies in the building services sector can do. It offers recruitment and training opportunities and engages with the education system to provide good development opportunities for young people so they can plan ahead and develop long term plans.”

IIYP, Scotland’s only people management award focusing on employers’ recruitment and retention of young people, originated through a key recommendation from the Commission for Developing Scotland’s Young Workforce, led by Sir Ian Wood. Offered to all businesses across Scotland, the award recognises and supports organisations in the employment of young people.

Duncan S Fletcher, FES Group chairman, said: “I am extremely proud that FES has been able to lead the way in positive youth employment practices, by becoming the 100th customer to be awarded the Investors in Young People accreditation. One of the biggest challenges businesses face is finding the right personnel to help them grow but we, along with IIYP, believe that development of young people is a great way to build a dynamic and productive workforce.

“Youth employment is a key pillar of our business plan and I am delighted that our work in this area has been recognised in this way.”