Sponsorship of Design-Engineer-Construct students at local high school continues for a further 12 months

Attracting a young and diverse workforce into the facilities management /workplace profession is a major issue that the industry is trying to solve and each organisation has a role to play.

Thomson FM has forged links with a local secondary school in Rossendale, Alder Grange High School, for the past four years and this culminated in making a financial donation in 2022 to sponsor the students studying the Design-Engineer-Construct courses, which are run by Class of Your Own; a global organisation with the mission of attracting young people into careers in the build environment.

As well as the financial help, the Thomson FM team, have been involved in helping deliver elements of the curriculum and in providing careers guidance, which will continue for the coming 12 months, as well as offering work experience placements and support with their project work.

Commenting on the continuing support to the students, Alison Watson MBE, Founder and Chief Executive of Class of Your Own, said:

“I’m hugely grateful for the ongoing support of Thomson FM. We have so much planned for the students at Alder Grange next term and will be great to involve the team at Thomson FM.”

Thomson FM General Manager and Chair of the Institute of Workplace Management (IWFM), Mark Whittaker, also commented:

“I have known Alison for a number of years and share her vision and passion for starting the conversation early with young people about careers in the built environment and helping to equip them with the skills they will need. It is an industry wide issue and every organisation must play it’s part. That is why I have championed the “Career of Choice” initiative with IWFM and is why supporting the teachers and students at Alder Grange High School is of such importance to the team at Thomson FM”