AMEY starts skills early

20 June 2012

Public services provider Amey has won a national award for its extensive work and commitment to working with young people to bridge the skills gap.

Lord Digby Jones, guest speaker at the Chartered Institute of Highways & Transportation Awards, praised Amey’s vision and dedication in helping young people from all walks of life embark on a career in the industry. “With an ageing workforce and engineers retiring more quickly than new ones can qualify, the skills gap is a very real issue and one that cannot be ignored. I’m delighted to see companies like Amey being rewarded for their efforts in addressing this problem, which has potential to affect us all for years to come.”

Amey was awarded the CIHT Excellence in Skills Development Award amidst stiff competition at the ceremony in London last night (Thurs).

The award recognised the work Amey carries out annually training its own 11,000-strong workforce; employing apprentices and graduates; and working with the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award scheme and groups such as the long-term unemployed and ex-offenders.

The win came on a night of double success for Amey as the Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, with whom Amey has worked closely for over a decade helping train apprentices, won Charity of the Year 2012 for Education and Training, in recognition of its work with young employees.

Amey Chief Executive, Mel Ewell said: “We are passionate about supporting and developing the best talent within the industry and it’s great to have our efforts recognised by winning this award. We will continue to invest in our own people, nurture young talent and offer great opportunities for young people to break into the industry for the benefit of our clients, the industry and the wider economy.”

In order to establish a culture of continual learning, Amey has made investing in the learning and development of all current and potential employees a top priority.

Currently Amey has a target of providing five days training per year for each employee, with more than 100 training courses available online. Amey also encourages and supports all employees in achieving professional qualifications. There are around 150 employees on Amey’s Graduate Scheme and the company has made a commitment for at least two per cent of the entire workforce to be apprentices.