Firm’s diversity nomination

Airdrie-based firm Mitie property management has been shortlisted in the “promoting diversity” category of this month’s Scottish apprenticeship awards.

The company, which has a base at Stirling Road industrial estate, was nominated for the creation of its successful Think Differently programme.

It includes work placements and opportunities for people with disabilities, plus more flexible interview methods, with employees volunteering to be coaches and mentors and training in mental health awareness.

Head of learning and development Mark McCafferty said: “We wanted to create an apprenticeship programme that would not only challenge the perceptions of disabilities in the workplace but that would also give valuable work experience to people with a wider range of disabilities.

“The programme is about the small changes that we can all make that could make a massive difference to someone else’s life; and our goal is to encourage other businesses to challenge their thought processes on people with disabilities and equality.”

Mitie is one of three nominees in the category at the awards ceremony, organised by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) and Arnold Clark, which takes place at Kelvingrove Museum in Glasgow on November 16.

SDS chief executive Damien Yeates said: “We had a record number of entries this year and the calibre is outstanding.”