Multrees was named winner in the SME Employer of the Year category at the Scottish Apprenticeships Awards last night (8 March).

Minister for youth employment and training Jamie Hepburn said: “The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards are a great opportunity to recognise the vital work of apprentices as well as the valuable support of employers and learning providers who enable apprentices to succeed. Well done to all of the finalists and winners, who have achieved so much.”

The success of Multrees Investor Services apprenticeship programme not only encourages new talent into financial services but also supports those individuals in shaping their own futures.

Based in Edinburgh with a recently opened hub in Glasgow, Multrees became an apprentice employer in 2014 and has since hired 11 apprentices, which represents circa 10% of the overall workforce.

Apprentices undertake either Providing Financial Services Level 6 or Digital Application Support Level 6 qualifications, both central to the company’s future growth plans.

During the recruiting process Multrees partners with the apprentice and learning provider QA to decide on the optimum qualification for the apprentice, based on career aspirations, ultimately placing all apprentices into open roles.

According to the firm, a colleague who first started with Multrees as a financial services modern apprentice working in the operations team, is a great example of people development.

Multrees chief people officer Carole Lamond said: “The colleague had a desire to move into marketing and, as we grew, we created a new marketing assistant role and the colleague was supported into that by adding graphic design and digital marketing to their skills set.

“They now partner with our external PR agency, facilitate events, and support colleagues in other areas of the company such as recording induction content that we could use while remote working.

“That’s just one example of a Modern Apprentice who has grown with the company – we identified where their career aspirations were and now they are training further in that area to broaden their skills base.”

The company supports the well-being of colleagues and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive culture, ensuring opportunities for all in financial services - as well as supporting the wider community.

Multrees provides training in mental health, apprentices support the “Change for the Better” diversity and inclusion network, while a partnership with a volunteering organisation has given apprentices the opportunity to support community activities such as food banks.

The company also introduced a bespoke performance management and engagement system to record feedback between managers and apprentices, which helps identify training and development needs, builds their personal development plans and focuses on career aspirations.

Multrees modern apprentices are offered a role upon successful completion of their apprenticeship, all having undertaken the Chartered Institute of Securities affiliate membership. Multrees also provides financial incentives for completion of the CISI exam pathway.

Ms Lamond added: “Our people managers recognise the value apprentices can bring to the company. Those people go on to become advocates and mentors for the new apprentices joining the business.”

Mr Hepburn said: “The Scottish Apprenticeship Awards are a great opportunity to recognise the vital work of apprentices as well as the valuable support of employers and learning providers who enable apprentices to succeed.

“Well done to all of the finalists and winners, who have achieved so much.”