Dumfries and Galloway based BSW Timber Group has been named Skills Development Scotland’s Youth Employer of the Month.
The UK’s largest fully integrated forestry company received the Award at its Dalbeattie sawmill earlier this month.
The company, which was a finalist in this year’ Scottish Apprenticeship Awards, sees apprentices as a core part of its succession planning.
Group Learning and Development Manager Tony Lockey said: “Receiving this award is a great end to what has been a fantastic year for us. It is real recognition for the work of all of our teams.”
He believes BSW Timber Group’s 30 apprentices, including Scotland’s first female saw doctor, bring an eagerness and motivation to its workplaces while gaining skills and learning from colleagues.
He said: “We are also offering good jobs in rural areas, which sometimes can be challenging to find and it is a good way of putting something back into local communities.”
BSW Timber Group was nominated for the Youth Employer of the Month Award by Skills Development Scotland Relationship Accounts Executive Vicki Maclean.
She said: “This company is committed to growing their own talent, it wants to invest in its people and offer opportunities to progress to everyone who wants them and building a talent pool for the future.
“It also has tremendous links with schools and the Developing the Young Workforce groups in all its locations across Scotland. It is very worthy winner.”
Chairman of SDS, John F McClelland CBE, said: “This Company’s commitment to apprentices, interest in graduate apprenticeships and support of rural communities is to be commended.
“I would like to congratulate on reaching the finals of the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards and on winning the Youth Employer Award.”
Apprenticeships offer people the chance to work, learn and earn while for employers they get the talent they need for the growth they want.
Find out more about apprenticeship opportunities or how to recruit an apprentice at apprenticeships.scot
