Member Article

Investing in tomorrow’s workforce

An expanding North East business has been rewarded for its commitment to apprenticeships with the presentation of a prestigious award.

Power, process and engineering sector specialist, the px group, has received the Investment in Apprenticeship Award from the North East Apprenticeship Ambassador Network.

The accolade recognises a long term commitment to and investment in apprenticeships, backed up by a supportive working structure which has allowed apprentices to progress their careers and achieve leadership roles on the group’s executive, as plant managers and within operations and safety, health and environment teams.

Receiving the award, Ian Clifford, px group Chief Executive Officer, said: “We are proud to be one of the first companies in the region to achieve this award. We place great value in the apprentices we employ because we know that they are the future of the company. And I am delighted to say that, over the years, many of them have gone on to have successful careers with px.

“We’re very fortunate to benefit from having the North East Regional Apprenticeship Ambassador – George Ritchie MBE - helping us shape our programme and opening many doors for our apprentices to take part in local and national events to help publicise and raise awareness of the benefits of apprenticeships to others.”

Presenting the award, Anthony Knowles, Head of Employer and Delivery Services with Education and Skills Funding Agency in the North East, added: “I am delighted to see px group recognised for its senior level commitment and the whole organisation’s buy in to high quality apprenticeships.

“They clearly understand the return on investment and are actively promoting the many benefits to others. I would like to see more employers commit to apprenticeships as px group has done. It is undoubtedly helping to create the workforce of our region’s future.

“Apprenticeships are helping employers across England to fill their skills needs, whilst giving apprentices a job, income and qualifications in their chosen field.”

This year as part of its apprentice strategy and commitment, the px group has:

• Supported four employees to complete apprenticeships including the first female process apprentice

• Continued to progress the training for four further apprentices

• Begun the recruitment process for at least three further apprentices

• Sent apprentices to Westminster during National Apprenticeship Week to speak with the Apprenticeship Minister about their apprenticeship and the benefits of apprenticeships generally.

• Provided employees to visit local schools and colleges to talk with students about the benefits of apprenticeships and the world of work

• Sponsored college and apprenticeship awards

• Supported national Trailblazer Groups in developing apprenticeship standards.

The px group operates and maintains energy and process industry facilities throughout the UK - as well as providing engineering consultancy services worldwide - employing over 450 people directly and providing work for up to 1,000 further contractors.

Picture caption: Ian Clifford (left) receiving the award from Anthony Knowles

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .