Saltire Facilities Management (SFM) and Gas Call Services both committed to recruiting an apprentice and enrolling them in a local college as part of the tender process, in line with Kingdom’s Community Benefits package.

Both apprentices have been recruited from within Kingdom’s areas of operation, meaning the contracts have a direct positive impact on the community and provide the apprentices with the first step on what will hopefully be long and successful careers.

Bill Banks, Kingdom Group chief executive, said: “As part of our procurement process we aim to deliver community benefits. Our Asset Management and Capital Investment contracts provide the opportunity to incorporate trainees and employment clauses into the contracts and our most recent Gas Servicing and Maintenance contracts are a good example of how this can be delivered, with apprentices being employed by both SFM and Gas Call.

It was really good to meet the apprentices recruited as part of the community benefits package. Covid-19 delayed the visit but I’m glad we were able to get together in the end. I’ve been a vocal advocate for apprenticeships for a long time and really see the benefits they can bring to the young people involved. The initiatives also benefit the companies involved and help to address the skills shortages in the sector. Kingdom’s community benefits deliver real social value not just for our tenants and residents, but for the wider community too.”

The Gas Servicing and Maintenance contract commenced in July 2021 and is for a period of three years, plus an optional one-year extension.

Roddy Stanton, contract manager at Gas Call Services, said: “We are committed to home growing skilled employees, therefore, Gas Call Services Ltd are delighted to support Kingdom HA and offer an apprentice opportunity to someone from within the local community. Our trade-based apprenticeship programme, delivered in conjunction with our in-house LCL awards accredited training centre, provides an all-round experience carving out clear and achievable career paths for all our apprentices.”

Maxie Wemyss, contract manager at Saltire Facilities Management, added: “Aiden Nicol recently joined Saltire as an apprentice gas Engineer and is being trained by Charles Littlejohn who was recruited from Skills Training Centre in Dalgety Bay. We work closely with them to provide a pathway for trainees who are training to become fully qualified gas engineers.

“Aiden was really delighted to be given this opportunity and is thriving within this role. He is very keen with a great willingness to learn. Working within the Kingdom contract and dealing with the public on a daily basis is also helping his confidence. The reports from Fife college are also very encouraging on the academic side of the course and given time and experience he will be a real asset for Saltire.”