SES presses on with recruitment programme for young people
SES is sticking with its programme of recruiting and training apprentices in the face of the current economic situation.
Despite the economic situation, building-services company SES is sticking to its commitment to bring more young people into the industry. This autumn, SES inducted a further 25 pupils from local schools onto its advanced modern apprentice programme, bringing the number of apprentices inducted into an M&E profession by SES to over 120 in the last three years. SES has recognised the potential skills shortage in the M&E industry for some time and has proactively worked towards producing a continuous flow of young plumbers, mechanical engineers and project managers, with site-ready skills, to work in its business. According to a recent report from Construction Skills Network, more than 88 400 new recruits need to join the construction industry each year, and for the next four years, to reach optimum levels and to meet the demands on the industry for new schools, hospitals, universities and the London Olympics. Aged from 16 to 22, recruits are trained in all aspects of heating, ventilation, plumbing and electrical installation at Leeds College of Building. Richard Leese, mechanical tutor from Leeds College of Building, says, ‘This programme equips the youngsters with the training, knowledge and practical experience they need to make it in the M&E industry. Over a 4-year period, they participate in a specifically customised course, which provides them with a good balance of theory and hands-on experience.’ Lisa Stevenson, HR director for SES, says, ‘SES has a clear and strong strategy. It is a strategy that is built on our thinking, our strategic planning and long-term views and decisions. This is the real test of sustainability for a business. The last thing that we will be doing is taking knee-jerk decisions such as cutting training levels; it just doesn’t make sense.’
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