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.

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.

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Edwin James is also expanding its EJ Academy training programme with a number of new courses, including the EngTech 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 programme, Peter Bunting, training officer at work-based learning provider JTL said: "JTL has worked with the Edwin James Group for a number of years and their commitment to training can be seen across the business. The investment in the new EJ Academy and hub will ensure that employees across the business can upskill, reskill and receive the training they need to progress in their careers."