"Yes, we teach skills. But we also give people, especially young people, the knowledge to use those skills to get to the top," says Michelle Tilley, Byrne Group's Health, Safety and Environment Director. "Once young people see what's possible through training and work experience they have the confidence and self-belief to aim further up the ladder. And if they can show us how their training will benefit the business then we'll back them all the way."

Michelle Tilley, Byrne Group Health, Safety and Environment Director

Creating opportunities for everyone to develop

We take pride in investing in our staff and supply chain, routinely earmarking 12.5 per cent of profits for education and training. We want our staff to have the skills to do their jobs safely and effectively and the ability to realise their own potential within the industry.

This level of commitment gives us the ability to recruit the best in the business and the means to retain them. Our turnover rate currently stands at 11 per cent, in an industry where the norm is 30 per cent. So, it's no surprise that our clients now think of us as a market leader in terms of employee excellence.

"Our business is better placed to win work because we have a highly skilled, well-qualified workforce," says Michelle. "Each and every one of them has the right training for the job at hand. This puts us ahead of the game when approaching new clients because was can confidently highlight our training programmes."

The stories behind the statistics

Byrne Group recognises the importance of training and work experience at a time when more than a million young people in the UK are not in education, employment or training. The following case studies demonstrate our commitment to investing in providing opportunities to make a better future for them and for our business.

To download 'The Real Apprentices' in PDF format [click here]