Employer of the year
CPS are proud to announce that their commitment to training young workers has been recognised with a prestigious national award.
Aberdeen-based Caledonian Petroleum Services (CPS) was named Employer of the Year at the Scottish Training Federation’s recent annual awards ceremony in Crieff.
CPS received the title in conjunction with training provider ITCA Ltd, also of Aberdeen, with whom they have developed and delivered a highly successful Modern Apprenticeship programme.
As part of the Global Energy Group, CPS specialises in on and offshore fabrication, manpower services, project management and the manufacture of wellservice and packaged equipment. With a workforce of more than 170, the company operates from an extensive modern fabrication facility in Dyce.
Recognising that its growth strategy and commercial success would be enhanced by addressing the issues of skills gaps and an ageing workforce, CPS’ management decided to invest in the future and launch the apprenticeship programme in 2005.
Since then, with the support of ITCA Ltd, 39 recruits have gone through the apprenticeship programme. Twenty seven of those remain with the business, with several having moved to senior roles.
The company currently has 16 apprentices on its books and plans to recruit another two before the end of the year.
CPS recruits its apprentices from among young people attending ITCA Ltd’s Get Ready for Work vocational programme who are keen for the opportunity to pursue a hands-on career.
During their training apprentices rotate around CPS’ welding, fabrication, pipefitting, plating and structural teams to allow them to find the discipline that best suits their talents and aspirations. They also continue to return to ICTA Ltd on block release for training.
Formal aspects of the training are supported through workplace mentoring and advice and CPS managing director Bob Steel said the enthusiasm of the qualified and experienced members of the workforce to help the young recruits was one of the keys to the programme’s success.
In addition to the apprenticeship programme, CPS provides extensive training opportunities for all its employees at all levels of the company.
Bob added: “We are delighted that the commitment across our workforce to the apprenticeship programme in particular and training in general has been recognised with this prestigious award. It recognises the attitude and approach throughout our team that is helping our business continue to grow and succeed.
“Our level of involvement in the Modern Apprenticeship programme requires considerable investment, both financially and in other ways, such as the commitment of time from qualified and experienced staff to pass their skills on. We have really started to see that investment pay off as our apprentices come through the system. They are confident, dynamic, enthusiastic and motivated individuals who have succeeded on their learning journey, while helping ensure the continuing success of the company.”