The Race for Opportunity annual awards celebration, held at Lancaster House on 21 October 2009, saw MITIE win the Widening the Talent Pool - Recruitment category for its Real Apprentice scheme. 

In partnership with City and East London District Jobcentre Plus (JCP) and the London Employer Accord, MITIE adapted its Real Apprentice programme in 2009 for people with a physical, cognitive or mental health disability. 

The scheme, which traditionally targeted young people from areas of high unemployment such as Tower Hamlets in East London, has now progressed and brings together participants from a more diverse talent pool. 

The Real Apprentices are placed on a two week pre-placement training course, followed by a ten week full time work experience programme. Supported by a site mentor and manager, every apprentice learns site technical skills and soft skills essential in employment. Out of the 16 participants this year, 12 are on course to complete the programme – a far higher retention rate than the traditional model.

Race for Opportunity, part of Business in the Community’s Diversity and Inclusion initiatives is committed to improving employment opportunities for ethnic minorities across the UK. It is the only race diversity campaign that has access to and influence over the leaders of the UK’s best known organisations. 

“The award is a fantastic recognition of MITIE’s efforts to push the boundaries for disabled people and championing this important agenda in such a positive way. The Real Apprentice results in real jobs for talented people”, commented Amanda Wandsworth, Regional Disability Champion for Job Centre Plus. 

Ruby McGregor-Smith, CEO, MITIE added: “There is an overwhelming opportunity for employers who embrace diversity and inclusion to harness the talent that exists in the UK today. I am extremely proud of this award and all the hard work MITIE people have put in to get here, but on a commercial level, I know we’ve identified some great people, and that’s what we’re all about.” 

-ENDS-

For further information, contact: 

Emilie Aiglon, Marketing Manager, MITIE Group PLC
T: 020 7022 8427, M: 07917 521295, E: emilie.aiglon@mitie.co.uk

Notes for editors

What is MITIE?
We’re the strategic outsourcing and asset management company.

What does that mean in practice? Providing everything from strategic consultancy, to world-class delivery on the ground. From long-term infrastructure planning, to facilities management, property and engineering services. Our strategic input can add value at the highest level, while our practical management expertise can save customers money and maximise their returns.

At the same time, it’s not just what we do, but how we do it that makes us different. Our people are passionate about what they do, committed to working in partnership with their clients, and will always look for a fresh answer to a new challenge.

We work with our clients in three ways; some take full advantage of our whole range of expertise by buying the whole suite, others may only need one aspect of what we do:

Strategy and consultancy

+ Facilities and project management

+ Service delivery

In other words, we think, we manage, and we deliver.

The thinking phase is all about finding strategic answers to long-term challenges about assets and resources. Facilities and project management puts those plans in place, and our unrivalled range of services is one of the best in the business.

There’s a lot more to MITIE than you probably think. We’re a big company with big ambitions - a leading FTSE 250 support services business, with more than 50,000+ people, revenues in excess of £1.5bn, and a reputation for being the best.