Pointer win SME of the Year at Scottish Apprentice Awards

Pointer Ltd Awarded SME Employer of the Year

Pointer is delighted to be announced as the winners of SME Employer of the Year at the Scottish Apprenticeship Awards 2022 on Wednesday 9th March during Scottish Apprenticeship Week. 

The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards recognises the resilience and hard work of Foundation, Modern(MA) and Graduate Apprentices (GA). They also shine a spotlight on those employers, providers and individuals who champion apprenticeships. After applying and becoming shortlisted, Pointer took place in interviews with colleagues and apprentices and a site visit to demonstrate what their apprenticeships had to offer. After finishing as runners up at last years award ceremony, it is very fitting that this award has been achieved in Pointer’s 50th anniversary year!

Apprenticeships have always been at the heart of Pointer. Founder, Bob Rowan established the first apprenticeship in 1975, with the goal to provide opportunities to young people in the local area in Glasgow. Over the years, the apprenticeship programme has evolved to meet the needs of not only the apprentices, but also of the customers. 

To date, Pointer has trained more than 160 apprentices across the UK, with the support of its own purpose-built SQA approved training centre. Currently there are 21 Modern Apprentices and one Graduate Apprentice employed in the business. Pointer is an Investors in People and Investors in Young People Gold employer and supports MA to GA pathways.

Pointer’s Apprenticeship scheme has evolved over 4 decades to ensure apprenticeships meet the ever-changing needs of business as well as broadening the scope of opportunities available to young people.

Pointer strives to ensure that specific needs of individuals are met, and strategies are put in place to address any barriers to learning. 

Increasing opportunities for young people

Dedicated Learning & Development Officer, David Buntain explains: “We want to offer a wider range of options for apprentices based on their skills and interests. This will help us to diversify our workforce and make us adaptable and resilient to market changes.

Probably the most measurable business benefit of apprenticeships is that many of our apprentices stay with us and progress through our career path in the company. Some have been with us over 30 years..”

In a short statement, Managing Director Alex Cassells gives thanks to his colleagues for this achievement, ‘This is a fantastic achievement for the business and very well deserved. This award is recognition for Pointer’s development of many apprentices over a very long period of time - many of which have went on to senior roles in the electronic security industry. This couldn’t have been possible without the dedication and hard work of our colleagues in the business, thank you all. It is very fitting to receive this award in our 50th anniversary year.’