Fife company wins Youth Employer of the Month award

A Fife safety and security solutions company has been named Skills Development Scotland’s (SDS) Youth Employer of the Month.

Dunfermline-based Eclipse (IP) Ltd designs, commissions and installs security products. It was awarded part of the security contract for the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and has two Modern Apprentices as part of its ten-strong workforce.

Eclipse’s Engineering Manager Declan Duffy was delighted to receive the SDS Award. He said: “We felt Modern Apprenticeships gave us a fantastic opportunity to recruit someone at the start of their career, train them to our standards as well as giving them the opportunity to develop their skills.”

He added: “It has been brilliant to see how our apprentices have progressed from where they started to where they are now. We are delighted they plan to continue their learning and their career with us and we plan to support more Modern Apprentices in the future.”

The company was nominated for the Award by SDS Relationship Account Executive Claire Owens. SDS offers free advice to businesses of all sizes to help with training, development and recruitment including support in taking on a Modern Apprentice.

Claire explained: “Although Eclipse is a small company, it has huge ambitions and massive potential. The company completed our Skills for Growth programme and developed a youth strategy, including appointing a mentor and coach. Its Fire and Electronic Security Systems apprentices have been recognised as leaders within their learning group at college and are respected by their lecturers. I am delighted its efforts have been recognised in this way.”

Her view was echoed by Chairman of SDS, John F McClelland CBE, who said: “This company invests in and clearly values its young workers while acknowledging the valuable contribution they bring to the business. Its drive to help young people develop their skills is to be commended.”

Find out more about SDS’s support for employers at www.ourskillsforce.co.uk and more about apprenticeships at www.apprenticeships.scot.