A Nottingham-based plumbing and heating firm has been named as one of the first recipients of the Future Skills Award of the new year, for its outstanding commitment to training the next generation of highly skilled trades apprentices.
Bridgford Business Park-based BoilerCert, run by Charlie and Lyndsey Keightley, is amongst the first cohort of businesses to be given the award in 2022.
The award is being driven by the HomeServe Foundation, the charity arm of FTSE 250-listed HomeServe plc, to recognise organisations or individuals’ contributions to furthering future skills and apprenticeships in the UK.
BoilerCert stood out because of the determination with which its 16-strong engineering team actively looks to train and develop apprentices so they can expand and build a like-minded, ambitious unit that will take the business into the future.
Helen Booth, Director of the HomeServe Foundation said: “BoilerCert is a fantastic small business which recognises that investing in ambitious apprentices is an important route to future expansion and success.
“It can be harder for small firms to manage the paperwork and support trainees as they learn, but this firm has shown it’s not only achievable, but so worthwhile.
“We want to recognise and celebrate all businesses, big and small which are helping Britain build back better by creating jobs and new opportunities through apprenticeships.”
BoilerCert director Lyndsey Keightley said: “We’re delighted to have our business recognised in this way. The work we do is intense, with long hours and so we’re conscious that to be effective we need a team that’s aligned and focused, with the same ideals as us.
“That’s why we have made the commitment to invest in training and skills over and above the day-to-day and we want to employ and bring on people that are hungry for knowledge and want a real career, not just a job.
“It’s important.”
The 13-year-old firm was launched by Charlie Keightley in 2008 and works closely with Nottingham estate agents to maintain their tenanted properties. The business has grown year-on-year and has nurtured six apprentices over that time, with a view to take on more.
Earlier recipients of the award include former apprentice turned Aston Martin motor company chief, Andy Palmer and leaders in the field of apprenticeships, including Amazing Apprenticeships, founded by Anna Morrison CBE, as well as employers driving apprenticeship growth, including Paragon Customer Communications.
The award is now open for other individuals and businesses – both large and small who are supporting the growth of future skills across all and every industry in the UK – to apply for. Criteria applies and details are available here.
Everyone receiving the Future Skills Award will be given a toolkit to celebrate and promote the accreditation to their employees, partners, or customers, and businesses can also apply for the award directly themselves.
BoilerCert is a growing, ambitious plumbing and heating business based in Nottingham. It works closely with Nottingham estate agents to maintain their tenanted properties as well as specialising in plumbing and heating repairs and maintenance, gas and oil boiler service and installations. The company has grown year-on-year and manages its future expansion by recruiting and training its own apprentices to meet growing customer demand.
The Bridgford Business Park-based plumbing and heating business was launched by Charlie Keightley in 2008. It now boasts a 16-strong engineering team.