CMS Window Systems has won an award for its commitment to providing opportunities to young people and helping address the sector’s skills gap.
The firm picked up the Best Employment Initiative for Young People at the Skills and Training Academy Awards, run by hub South West.
CMS has attained over 100 modern apprenticeship qualifications since the company was formed in 2006. The doors and windows manufacturer fought off competition to win the approval of judges on the criteria of youth employment, the introduction of construction as a viable career path, structured framework apprenticeships, graduate programmes and initiatives targeted at women, as well as disadvantaged and disabled people.
The award comes as the firm completes its latest educational outreach activities for local students, designed to introduce them to career opportunities in the fenestration industry. This included visits by further education students from Dumfries & Galloway College and school pupils from Denny High.
David Ritchie, CEO of CMS Window Systems said, “We are delighted to receive this award from hub South West. To be recognised for our dedication to providing employment and career opportunities for young people is an honour and a credit to all those involved. Our recently launched CMS Academy has been a particularly exciting development, enabling us to offer a comprehensive and structured training programme to even more apprentices in future.”
Michael McBrearty, chief executive of hub South West added, “The skills shortages we have within our sector are all too well-known and these awards mark an important new phase in our partnership’s commitment to raising the bar within the industry. In addition to supporting our commitment to engaging local communities, the small and larger firms involved with hub South West also strive to play their part in tackling wider skills issues across the industry. It is only fitting that we should applaud their efforts.”
