Member Article

Mitie Group Plc wins National Apprenticeship Award

Mitie Group Plc was revealed as the E.ON sponsored Macro Employer of the Year at the National Apprenticeship Awards at an exclusive ceremony at London’s Grosvenor House on Friday.

The Awards, now in their thirteenth year, are run by the National Apprenticeship Service and recognise excellence in two areas: businesses that grow their own talent with apprentices and apprentices who have made a significant contribution to their workplaces.

Mitie is a strategic outsourcing company, employing around 2000 apprentices across 39 different areas of the business, from construction and engineering to catering and landscaping.

Having offered apprenticeships for over 20 years, Mitie believes in lifelong learning and encourages its employees to become apprentices. They estimate that apprenticeships have saved their business over £2million in the last few years.

On accepting the award, Barry Norris, Training and Development Director at Mitie Group Plc, said:

“Mitie’s commitment to apprenticeships brings numerous benefits to the business, including happier, more self-confident employees, a higher staff retention rate, and over £2 million in savings over the past few years.

“Apprenticeships allow us to attract the very best of talent and to keep it, through a focus on upskilling the entire workforce regardless of age or role. As a business, we’ll continue to promote apprenticeships as the right thing for our employees and our company.“

The ceremony also saw Mitie Group Plc named in the prestigious Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer list. The list, which is compiled annually by the National Apprenticeship Service, sponsored by Centrica, recognises excellence in businesses that employ apprentices.

Apprenticeships and Skills Minister Robert Halfon said:

“Congratulations to Mitie Group Plc for your success in this year’s National Apprenticeship Awards, which have showcased so much inspiring talent, dedication and ensures that apprenticeships get the prestige they deserve.

“I am always proud to see how many employers and apprentices get involved in apprenticeships across the country, helping to give a ladder of opportunity to people and deliver quality skills for employers. I hope your involvement encourages others to do the same to ensure social justice for all.“

The National Apprenticeship Awards showcase and recognise the many benefits apprenticeships bring to individuals and businesses and inspire others to follow, enabling them to lead successful lives and drive economic growth in England.

Dave Newborough, UK Human Resources Director for E.ON UK, said:

“E.ON UK are delighted to sponsor these awards, we strongly believe that apprenticeships provide young people an opportunity to gain skills, experience and initiate career paths. Apprenticeships also provide an exciting opportunity to increase the employee skills agenda within the UK. This provides the opportunity to improve UK business performance with a higher skilled employee resource ultimately increasing the attractiveness of investment in the UK and its local communities.“

Sue Husband, director, National Apprenticeship Service was host on the night. She concluded:

“The National Apprenticeship Awards have highlighted once again the magnificent range of apprenticeships on offer - with leading employers in exciting industries - and the skills that apprentices gain when taking on these roles.

“Every year this event gets bigger and better, bringing to the forefront of our minds the importance of apprenticeships to local, regional and national economies. Apprenticeships are for everyone and I personally thank each and every employer and apprentice recognised at Friday’s event for their commitment to apprenticeships.“

To view the full list of award winners and finalists or for more information about apprenticeships, search on GOV.UK

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by National Apprenticeship Service .