Fenestration specialists found key to success with apprentices
A Perth fenestration specialist spotted a window of opportunity with apprenticeships when faced with a skills shortage.
A Perth fenestration specialist spotted a window of opportunity with apprenticeships when faced with a skills shortage.
When Sidey Solutions couldn’t find the skilled people needed for its future, it decided to take matters into its own hands.
Sidey manufactures, supplies and installs windows, doors and conservatories nationwide. Staff numbers at the company were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic whilst the business also needed to find a solution to tackle an ageing workforce.
Introducing apprenticeships in 2022 has nurtured talent from within and enhanced the company culture and diversity.
Today, the 220-strong firm has employed 21 Modern and two Graduate Apprentices across frameworks including installation, glazing and business administration and management. It boasts a 100% completion rate and an ongoing employed retention rate of 87%.
Donna Montgomery, Community Benefits Manager at Sidey, said: “We haven’t looked back since introducing apprenticeships.
“It was becoming more difficult to recruit, and it was crucial to address this potential risk to our business. We knew we had to grow our installer team and replenish the skillset we depend on.
“Sidey was established in 1932. If we want to be around for another 93 years, we need apprentices to take the business forward.”
Over 12,000 employers support Scottish Apprenticeships, which are work-based learning opportunities or jobs with industry-recognised qualifications.
Scottish Apprenticeships are made for business, developed with employers to ensure they are demand-led and responsive to workforce skills needs.
Sidey developed a bespoke programme for apprentice installers at its training academy, which typically recruits college joinery/carpentry graduates and from council employability programmes.
Full-time employment is guaranteed post-apprenticeship, with various future career path opportunities available.
By employing apprentices, Sidey has created new installation teams, each increasing annual capacity by 1,380 frames and safeguarding employment across the company – each frame incorporates roles from sales and marketing to surveying and production.
There’s also improved job satisfaction from staff involved in mentoring apprentices and awards have rolled in.
Apprenticeships have brought fresh energy, allowing a re-evaluation of recruitment beyond experienced candidates.
Donna explained: “Investing in apprenticeships has changed our mindset, and we see it as an opportunity to recruit younger people. It has had a huge impact on our demographic and brought a positive change in culture.
“We haven’t had young people in the workforce in a long time and it has rippled through the organisation, with apprentices now working in most departments.”
Apprenticeships have also opened the door for long-serving employees to upskill.
Donna explained: “Our service engineers, who have between 20-30 years of experience, now have an associated professional qualification. You can be at any career stage - Modern Apprenticeships are for everyone.”
Looking ahead, apprenticeships will grow annually and the expansion of Sidey’s training academy will facilitate more outreach work with school pupils.
Donna said: “Being a finalist in the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards is a real honour. It’s recognition for all that we have achieved in a short time and will fuel our ambition further.”
The winner of the SME Employer of the Year category will be revealed at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, which take place on 27 February in the run-up to Scottish Apprenticeship Week (3 to 7 March).
Find out more about the award finalists and the event by visiting apprenticeships.scot/awards