Laser and radar technology firm Finmeccanica-Selex ES has been named Scotland’s Large Employer of the Year.

The Edinburgh company received the honour at Scotland’s Modern Apprenticeship Awards, delivered by Skills Development Scotland (SDS).

Edinburgh Mechanical Engineering Lead Bob Mountford and Head of Supportability Engineering Alex Mulholland were delighted to accept the Award on behalf of the company.

“We are very, very pleased to win the award. It means so much to everyone involved in apprenticeships in the company and it is special because we are both former apprentices. It really endorses all that we are doing,” said Bob.

Finmeccanica-Selex ES has been supporting apprenticeships for more than 60 years.
It sees apprentices as the lifeblood of the company and vital for its long-term future – by building on a highly specialised skills base and replacing an ageing workforce.

There are currently 50 engineering, craft and business apprentices and many senior managers started their careers in this way. A further 32 apprentices are being recruited this year. Employee and former Modern Apprentice Ross Herbert was a finalist in the Higher Level Apprentice of the Year category.

Dedicated training managers and assessors guide and mentor each apprentice to not only become “an integrated asset” in the workplace, but worthwhile community members through charity and local projects.

The company recently introduced a pre-apprenticeship pilot with a local school and is progressing apprentices to degree programmes.

Finmeccanica-Selex ES also takes the lead in working with stakeholders to promote apprenticeships at events such as the Edinburgh International Science Festival and Scottish Apprenticeship Week.

Bob and Alex received the Award from Dr Janet Brown of Award category partners SQA.

SDS Chief Executive Damien Yeates added his congratulations and said: “Selex’s success shows how committed employers across Scotland are giving young people an incredible start to their careers.”

This month also sees Modern Apprentices visit secondary schools across the country as part of SDS’s drive to encourage more young people to consider apprenticeships as a career path.

Find out more about Modern Apprenticeships and search for job vacancies at www.apprenticeships.scot.