ES Catering find the perfect recipe for apprenticeship success
Investing in a diverse range of people and skills are the main ingredients for success for a Fife catering firm set up by a former apprentice.
Leven-based ES Catering, which runs successful restaurant Base alongside new venture TRUTH, currently supports six Modern Apprentices having already completed 15 apprentices who make a huge contribution to a dedicated team of 26 overall.
Such commitment to the pathway will be no surprise to those who know founder Ewan Brown, with learning provider MGT Training supporting him through his own apprenticeship more than a decade ago prior to him co-founding ES Catering with business partner Steven O’Donnell in 2016.
MGT Training Director Michelle Batt said: “I can’t think of many other employers who embrace the apprenticeship programme as much as ES Catering do.
“Ewan and his team take everyone at face value and support everyone to where they want to be in their lives. Yes, it benefits the business but there is no doubt Ewan and Steven are more interested in the people as individuals.
“Once people join ES Catering they don’t leave – some even go onto university and come back. That’s purely down to the hard work of staff who buy in to the whole process.”
ES Catering Ltd Co-Founder Ewan said: “Providing apprenticeships is important for me because when I left school I did so without any qualifications.
“It was an apprenticeship that got me to where I am today, that’s what makes me want to give people the same opportunity.”
Providing apprenticeships is important for me because when I left school I did so without any qualifications. It was an apprenticeship that got me to where I am today, that’s what makes me want to give people the same opportunity.
Ewan Brown
ES Catering Ltd Co-Founder
Hiring 15 apprentices, Ewan and MGT helped to fight back against local unemployment and built a future workforce with energy, enthusiasm, and motivation, adding a personal touch that has fostered a culture of family and togetherness.
Ewan continued: “We have created a positive culture where mental wellbeing is supported fully and equally with all.”
Over 12,000 employers support Scottish Apprenticeships, which are work-based learning opportunities or jobs with industry-recognised qualifications. Designed with employers for employers, Scottish Apprenticeships are demand-led and responsive to regional skills needs.
Michelle concluded: “Almost half of Base employees are enhanced funded apprentices, eight with disabilities and two care experienced. This supports equal access to opportunities and education enabling apprentices to fully participate in the learning process, reaching their full potential.
“The door is open for anyone. Working together has helped people’s mental health – it’s helped get people back on their feet and maintain the direction that they want to go in.
“Everybody can see what everyone can do for each other, working as a team and what’s the best for everyone, no one gets left behind. That’s what has made the business succeed.”
Scottish Apprenticeship Awards
ES Catering won SME Employer of the Year – Promoting Diversity at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards.
View the full list of winners at www.apprenticeships.scot