ABM pledges £192,000 to create new apprenticeships

ABM has pledged £192,000 to enable small and medium sized businesses and social enterprises to re-skill low paid Londoners.

Partnering with the London Progression Collaboration, the contribution will create apprenticeships which not only allow individuals to secure better-quality, higher-paying work, but also give London’s businesses the skills they need to thrive.  

ABM’s investment, a portion of the company’s Apprenticeship Levy fund which went unspent due to Covid-19, will be directed to businesses in the facilities management, aviation and charity sectors. Within those sectors, the London Progression Collaboration will be targeting underrepresented groups such as NEETs (those Not in Education, Employment, or Training), women in engineering and those experiencing homelessness. 

The two-year partnership will see the creation of level two to four apprenticeships which will build skills where there is a skills shortage.  

Chris Townsend, ABM Senior HR Director commented: “Covid-19 disrupted many things, including our ability to spend our Apprenticeship Levy funds to their fullest extent. Working with the London Progression Collaboration ensures that that money is used effectively.  

“We’re delighted to be moving forward with this partnership which will ultimately benefit our industry by creating more diversity and improving skills.”  

Internally, ABM currently has 89 apprentices across 34 level two to seven courses available across the UK, and over 60 additional applications in process. ABM is committed to growing these numbers as greater opportunity to maximise Apprenticeship Levy funding is available, further improving skills and talent within the organisation.

The London Progression Collaboration works to tackle rising in-work poverty by supporting in-work progression which can help individuals to move sustainably out of low-paid work.

Anna Ambrose, Director, from the London Progression Collaboration said: “We’re excited to be working with ABM to put some of their unspent Apprenticeship Levy funds to great use. The last 18 months have been especially challenging for London’s smaller businesses and for many Londoners, including those in low-paid or unstable work.  It’s by partnering with businesses like ABM that the LPC can continue to create high-quality apprenticeships which benefit the capital’s residents and businesses.” 

The news follows the launch of the fourth year of ABM’s Junior Engineering Engagement Programme which aims to tackle misperceptions of the facilities management industry amongst young people and their parents and create a pipeline of future technical talent. It has had over 450 graduates from 23 schools since 2017.