Engineering services firm Caledonian Petroleum
Services (CPS) realised several years ago that it had an aging
workforce and a widening skills gap which needed urgent
attention.
CPS Operations Director Bob Steel said:"We knew that as a
Scottish employer it was our responsibility to ensure young people
were given the opportunity to learn, earn and contribute, not only
to the future of our organisation but also our industry and our
country. A boardroom decision was taken to start an apprenticeship
programme."
CPS is so impressed with the success of the Modern
Apprenticeships programme that it has decided to recruit annually,
so it has apprentices at all stages across the four-year cycle of
Modern Apprenticeships. Since the inception of its Modern
Apprenticeship programme, CPS has recruited 27 apprentices. The
company's skills gap has now narrowed and the average age of its
employees has dropped to the late 30s.
Mr Steel explained: "CPS has seen the massive skills and
financial investment we have made pay off as the first apprentices
completed their training. They are confident, dynamic, enthusiastic
and motivated individuals who have succeeded on their learning
journey while ensuring the continued success of our company on the
way."