New Sidey Training Academy to provide safe & supportive environment to develop skills
To celebrate Scottish Apprenticeship week in March, fenestration specialist Sidey is set to officially launch its Training Academy.
In response to the declining skilled labour market, the company decided to create the Sidey Training Academy and begin an associated Modern Apprenticeship Program with the intention of growing its workforce and promising long term security of employment, to those engaged within it.
The event will see Sidey open the doors to it’s Training Academy to local schools, colleges, and councillors so they can speak with the team about Sidey’s Modern Apprentice Installer program and how the company supports the Young Persons Guarantee. Tayside Police will also be attending to conduct a ‘Young Driver Road Safety’ presentation for the apprentices along with the Scottish Fire & Rescue Service who will also carry out a ‘Road Safety’ presentation.
Image © Vantage Images
Donna Montgomery, Sidey’s Community Benefits Manager commented – “Sidey’s Training academy extends beyond the physical space created next door to our Perth showroom, it encompasses the resources invested every single day in coaching, mentoring, and training our apprentices to become exceptional members of our team.
“Apprentices work towards a level 5 SCQF through vocational training over a 12–18-month period. In tandem, our bespoke Milestones training plan clearly sets out the competencies required to fulfil their role, against which they are assessed monthly, provided with constructive feedback and goals to work towards.
Apprentices will regularly spend time in our Feus Road Training Academy, which provides a safe space, in a closely supervised, supportive environment to practice new skills before they are refined on site.”
The Sidey Training Academy building contains timber kits accommodating various styles of windows and doors, with replaceable subframes to allow apprentices to remove & refit repeatedly. There is textured render, cladding, a bay frame, roofline, and hand/power tools to work with. A large television screen and comfortable seating area provides an area for inductions, presentations, and training sessions.
Donna continued – “Our apprentices have varied backgrounds in their route to employment, sourced from Council led employment programs and in future, college graduates of Joinery/Carpentry NPA courses. Each apprentice has a drive to succeed and pride in their work, a strong foundation upon which Sidey can build, passing on knowledge accumulated with almost a centuries experience in the fenestration industry.”
Sidey apprentice, James Dickson Jnr commented – “I’m really excited to be taken on by Sidey as an Apprentice and look forward to where the journey takes me. In five years’ time, I would like to be fully qualified & part of my own team.”
Investment in its people is at the heart of Sidey, this extends from employment through to the physical & mental wellbeing of its apprentices and employees.
Mentors & Managers care deeply about maintaining a healthy, positive working environment conducive to success.
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