Cleanzine: your weekly cleaning and hygiene industry newsletter 18th April 2024 Issue no. 1110
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FM Sector pledges 10,000 Apprenticeships and 11,000 Work Inspiration places to reduce youth unemployment
The crucial role the Government believes apprenticeships will have in revitalising the economy and jobs market was emphasised yesterday by the Facilities Management sector which has pledged 10,020 Apprenticeships and 11,192 Work Inspiration placements by 2015 at The FM Big Conversation hosted by Richard Sykes, CEO of ISS UK and Ireland.
With Prime Minister David Cameron stating that young people should not be allowed to leave school at 16 without a very clear career path in mind, and in a bid to battle the precarious economic climate and tackle youth unemployment, ISS UK has joined forces with Business in the Community (BITC) to bring the FM sector together to take a stand against youth unemployment.
Richard Sykes hosted a breakfast yesterday at the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales for FM sector CEOs to make their pledge. The goal is to unite the FM industry and through individual company pledges, create new and extensive opportunities for young people in the UK.
The event, which was also supported by Asset Skills, the Business Services Association, the Facilities Management Association, the British Institute of Facilities Management and Lord Aberdare, saw ISS, together with a number of other leading FM companies, pledge their combined contribution of apprenticeships and work experience placements across the UK by 2015.
Richard Sykes explains: "This is one of the first times businesses in our sector have held hands, placed our competitiveness to one side and taken decisive action to demonstrate the positive impact Facilities Management can have in the UK economy.
"Our industry is ideally suited to help bridge the gap between education and the workplace and we have a multitude of career paths that can be followed. Pledging this support shows the commitment and drive we have in supporting the younger generation even during these difficult economic times.
"ISS is the fourth largest employer globally and we are passionate about ensuring that we develop the workforce skills we need today and into the future. ISS has already pledged to take on 750 apprentices and 1,000 Work Experience candidates throughout the country by 2015. A further goal is to educate young people about the fruitful and exciting career path that the FM sector can offer them."
Graham Bann, Executive Director, Talent & Skills at BITC says: "At BITC we ask and support businesses to improve the opportunities on offer to young people ensuring that they have fair access to jobs that will lead to a career with longevity and potential. We are already working with ISS on BITC's Talent & Skills campaign and are delighted to have joined forces with them on this initiative to tackle youth unemployment."
Rachel Harrison is an ISS business administration apprentice who is based at the Royal Liverpool and Broadgreen Hospital. She says: "As well as broadening your skills, apprenticeships help your progress within the company when an opportunity arises."
23rd May 2013