Edwin James Group Invests in STEM Careers

Derek Smith, CEO of Edwin James Group Facilities engineering company, Edwin James Group, is supporting its growth plans and addressing the industry skills gap with the largest investment in learning and development in its history.

The company is launching a new EJ Academy programme of lifetime learning and opening a training hub in Glasgow to enable the Academy’s expansion and further support STEM careers from apprentice to director level.

The new training hub features a classroom and training room, an ideas hub and a number of e-learning stations. The purpose-built training centre will be used as a competency testing area for new client sites and can be set up as a specialist training environment for specific industries to champion service and safety.

The hub will also feature two electrical training booths. The booths will support apprentices’ training and assessment before taking their final electrical qualifications, supporting pass rates.

The new flagship Glasgow hub will be complemented by existing learning facilities in Burton and Inverness and will be supported by virtual training via specialist corporate training provider Sponge.

EMEX - The Net Zero & Energy Management Expo, 22-23 November 2023, ExCel London

Edwin James is also expanding its EJ Academy training programme with a number of new courses, including the Engineering Technicians qualification and a range of staff wellbeing workshops. New management training will support a pipeline of talent nationwide to support the company’s ambitious growth plans.

Apprentices already form a significant part of the Edwin James workforce, with almost 10% of employees currently being part of the apprenticeship scheme. The scheme is set to grow further with a commitment to move from 10 to 15 per cent of the total workforce over the next two years.

Commenting on the investments, Derek Smith, CEO of Edwin James Group said: “Our people are essential to our business’s success and attracting and retaining talent is vital for the future growth of our Group. The Academy is critical to our ambition to build a new force in the UK engineering services sector, and the new hub is a milestone for the business. It underpins our commitment to training and development. When combined with the new courses on offer, it will help colleagues at every level learn new skills and competencies that will support their job and career aspirations.

Commenting on the new facilities, Anne Galbraith, chief executive of the Scottish Electrical Charitable Training Trust, said: “I was delighted to hear first hand the Edwin James vision on training. Throughout the company they take on apprentices in all areas and train them to a very high standard. The electrical apprentices all receive a wide range of tasks which allows them to flourish. The new Edwin James Academy is an excellent idea, the team will identify any skills gaps and be in a position to offer further training. I applaud their forward-thinking and commitment to training.”