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Business Comment DECEMBER 2021/JANUARY 2022 People, Skills & the Future Workforce
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CONTENTS
People, Skills & the Future
Workforce 18
Success for
Welcome to the latest issue of Business first students
to embark on
Comment, the Chamber’s magazine, which this Leonardo’s
month is focusing on skills and training. new software
graduate
In recent months, a vital topic for employs 2000 people at its Crew Toll site
businesses of all shapes and sizes to focus in Edinburgh.
on has been skills and the development of
our most important asset - people. The magazine also highlights the work
of Edinburgh Chamber’s Inspiring Talent
A cliché, I know, but only because there is Group, set up to support members in the
little doubt that most companies would area of skills and development, and just
list their staff as top of their priorities. to show that talent is not confined to the
Good people generally equal successful young, Mary Bright, Head of Social Affairs
businesses. And in these post-Brexit, and Age Special Adviser at Phoenix
Covid 19 hit days then the need to attract, Group, reminds us that over 50s will be
develop and retain good people has never stars of the future workplace – perhaps
been more acute, or presented greater with the help of some reskilling and
potential challenges.
20
upskilling – through bringing qualities like
work ethic, experience and confidence. The start of something new:
From the lack of HGV and van delivery There is also an informative piece on the Roadmap towards the zero-carbon
drivers to keep our supply chains moving City Region Deal’s Data-Driven Innovation construction site of the future
through to the ever increasing demand Skills Gateway and its Data Skills for
for data analysts to provide the insights Work programme. With predictions that
we need to gain competitive edge, the 175,000 new digital jobs will have been
need to make sure we employ and Chamber News 03 | 05
generated in Scotland by 2030, limited
develop people has never been stronger. supply of talent remains a challenge and
Opinion 06
an opportunity.
Recent Labour Market Insights provided
COP26: Edinburgh Summit 08
by Skills Development Scotland (SDS) Elsewhere in the magazine, Balfour
have highlighted the continued concerns Beatty provide an update on their Mentoring 10
of business regarding labour market roadmap towards net zero construction
shortages caused largely by reduced – with a focus on their innovations at the New Members 12 | 13
migration post Brexit and increased Edinburgh Biomes project at the Royal
economic inactivity. SDS maintain Ask The Expert 14
Botanic Garden. Challenges remain,
addressing labour supply will “require a
but the company is determined the
concerted effort across talent attraction, International Report 16
construction site will be net zero.
upskilling and reskilling, and reducing
economic inactivity.”
Corporate View 17
Enjoy the magzine
Special Report 18 | 21
In this issue of the magazine, we look at
what some businesses are doing to play Policy Update 22 | 23
their part. In particular, the collaboration
highlighted between aerospace In Conversation With 24 | 25
engineering company Leonardo and
Heriot-Watt University to create a new 60 Seconds | Get with IT 26
software graduate apprenticeship
which has proven hugely valuable. The Chamber Partners 27 | 33
programme couples academic learning Liz McAreavey
with on the job experience. The company
Chief Executive, Chamber Training & Development 34 | 35
Edinburgh Chamber
of Commerce
New Comers 36
December 2021/January 2022 BC 3
CHAMBER NEWS
35 Years of The Yard
Disabled children’s play charity The Yard is celebrating 35 years of
adventure, fun and friendship.
Opening its first location at Eyre Place
Lane, Edinburgh in 1986, The Yard
supports disabled children, young people
and their families through child-centred
and child-led adventure play. Welcoming
children from birth to the age of 25, The
Yard also supports countless families
through its centres in Dundee and
Kirkcaldy. Crucially, The Yard exists for
the whole family, with parents, carers
and siblings also welcome to attend play
sessions, generating endless benefits for
the wider family.
Celine Sinclair, CEO, The Yard said, “We
are absolutely thrilled to be marking this
milestone, especially after two of the
most challenging years we could ever
have anticipated. If someone had said
we would approach the anniversary with
months of lockdowns and restrictions, we
would never have believed them.
“I’d personally like to thank each and
every member of The Yard team for
getting us through this period. Without
their dedication, commitment and sheer
love for what they do, we’d be nothing. where he can be himself and completely
However, the challenges we faced as a relax rather than acting the way others
charity were nothing compared to the want or expect him to.
challenges facing families with a disabled
child at home. Everything they do is tailored to the child
and, because he feels safe there and not
“We have been working harder than ever to judged, he’s also tried lots of activities
ensure we are there for our families, even
he would never consider doing at school but, in many ways, we’ve just scratched the
when they couldn’t physically be here. And,
or at home from cooking, going to the surface. Yes, we have achieved a lot but there
in addition to the families themselves, we
supermarket and playing table tennis to
have also continued, in fact accelerated, is so much more to do and so many families
riding a scooter at a scooter park!
the level of support we provide to the wider we have yet to reach.
community from schools and nurseries to “He’s also learning valuable life skills which
community groups, whether that’s offering “With ambitious plans for the future which
will help with his independence as he
Signalong training online to providing grows. The Yard has become part of his will affect all three of The Yard’s locations,
emergency sessions for those who needed routine and a safe place for him to be with we rely on donations and are exceptionally
it most.” his peers, so he’s really missing it during grateful to the many businesses and
One of the Edinburgh families to benefit lockdown. We can’t wait for it to re-open Chamber members who support us year
from The Yard is Sharon Walters and her and continue to be part of his life as he after year. To those who are looking to team
sons Craig (14) and Andrew (11). Craig has grows up. Ultimately, we hope he’ll stay until up with a local charity as we welcome a
autism, dyspraxia and specific language he’s 25, and make friends for life.” new year, rest assured that every pound you
impairment. Before discovering The Yard, commit or hour you offer as a volunteer will
Craig struggled to engage with other So what next for The Yard? make a lifelong difference to a local family.”
children and, similarly, they struggled to
Celine added, “Over these 35 years, we
interact with him.
have shared so many adventures with our To support The Yard’s 35th anniversary
Sharon said, “The Yard has been life- families. We have also created lots of fun and campaign, please visit:
changing for Craig. It’s an environment friendships within our The Yard community www.theyardscotland.org.uk
4 BC December 2021/January 2022
CHAMBER NEWS
Three Scottish independent schools join
forces with Edinburgh charity to tackle
digital poverty
are strong believers that every child should
have access to the appropriate educational
tools in order to maximise their potential
and broaden their minds. We hope that other
schools, places of work and individuals are able
to donate where they can and help support the
young minds of the future.”
Stefan Horsman, Headmaster at Albyn School,
commented: “I’m delighted that Albyn School
is involved in this sustainable and community-
based initiative. The upcoming COP26
Conference reminds us that we live on a finite
planet and that by repurposing our unused
electronics in this way we are making a clear
contribution to a more sustainable world.
“I would urge everyone here at Albyn and in the
wider community to get involved as so many
Three top Scottish independent schools are “Digital skills are essential in most lines of work of us have unwanted electronics lying around
playing their part in the fight against digital and changes in the way we live and work post at home.”
poverty by working with their ICT Support lockdown means that access to technology is
Provider, Mother Technologies who is leading increasingly important. The Edinburgh Remakery uses government-
a project to donate surplus IT equipment to a approved software that securely wipes any data
“Mother Technologies is committed to helping from donated equipment to ensure it is all non-
national charity involved in digital reuse.
address the digital divide and we are proud retrievable and allows items to be easily reused.
Mother Technologies is supporting to be supporting this fantastic initiative by According to a recent report by innovation
International School Aberdeen (ISA), Albyn the Edinburgh Remakery, who have done a agency Nesta, one in seven adults in Scotland
School, and St Margaret’s School for Girls wonderful job of launching this scheme to are experiencing digital poverty. The research
to take part in the initiative driven by The ensure every person in Scotland has adequate revealed that more than 620,000 adults in
Edinburgh Remakery, to reuse old electronics digital access.” Between the three independent
Scotland, or 14% of the adult population, do not
in a bid to tackle rising levels of digital poverty schools, more than 280 pieces of IT equipment
have access to sufficient mobile or broadband
in Scotland and social isolation among have been donated to The Edinburgh Remakery
data to meet their essential needs.
disadvantaged communities. over the last month to repair, refurbish and offer
back to the community. Elaine Brown, CEO of The Edinburgh Remakery:
The Social Enterprise’s free IT Disposal Service
“Our free IT Disposal Service and IT donation
for Businesses was officially established in Nick Little, Head of School, ISA, said: “We
2020 in response to the growing need for are proud to be involved with The Edinburgh drop-off points continue to grow and offer a
convenient and secure IT disposal avenues. Remakery’s initiative to tackle digital poverty much needed secure and sustainable way for
The project offers businesses and individuals in Scotland. The Social Enterprise is built on old electronics to be passed on and reused.
the means to pass on a host of unwanted the principles of sustainability and learning, “We are hugely grateful to International School
electronics such as smart phones, laptops, matching our school’s vision for a greener Aberdeen, Albyn School, and St Margaret’s
PCs and tablets, in an environmentally friendly future by pushing us towards a zero-waste School for Girls, who have each donated
way which prevents these items from going to approach.
a range of surplus IT equipment to us, for
waste.
“ISA believes in every child, every opportunity, supporting our mission to end digital poverty
The schools’ initiative is a joint enterprise with and we are delighted to continue our in Scotland while keeping old and unused
Edinburgh and Aberdeen based IT specialists collaboration with The Edinburgh Remakery electronics out of landfill. “We thank them for
Mother Technologies, which is the ICT support as we strive to create a more sustainable lending their loyal and generous support to
service company for all three independent community for all.” Anna Tomlinson, Head us, and hope this is the start of many more
schools. Mother Technologies Head of Teacher for St Margaret’s School for Girls, said: educational bodies taking action to support
Business Development, Alex Ferguson, explains “St Margaret’s School for Girls is thrilled to be their communities and embed sustainable
why it’s more important than ever to close the taking part in such a fantastic initiative to help practices within their institutions in this way.”
digital poverty gap: “There is much more of provide a better and fairer education to children,
an awareness of digital poverty in a post- whilst setting an example of sustainable For more information visit
pandemic Scotland. practice. “At St Margaret’s School for Girls we www.edinburghremakery.org.uk
December 2021/January 2022 BC 5
OPINION
Why businesses need to talk
about the menopause
Despite menopause being a natural and inevitable part of a woman’s life, it
is still a subject shrouded in mystery and taboo in the workplace.
were once avoided in the workplace, such as coaching to give people confidence to discuss
mental health, are now openly discussed – as menopause with colleagues. There should
they should be. The same approach should be also be an element of educating the wider
taken with menopause. workforce and coaching management on how
By Alison best to have what can be seen as sensitive
Weatherhead Unfortunately, many firms still overlook or conversations.
Employment partner choose to ignore what women are going
at Dentons law firm through. With about one million women In legal terms, discrimination against
in the UK having left their jobs because of menopausal women must be tackled.
menopausal symptoms, this cannot be allowed Employers should be drawing up fair policies
Perimenopause and menopause typically to continue. for women during this time of their lives. There
are large skills gaps in Scotland and this is one
occur between the ages of 45 to 55 when a For a lot of women, it can take time to way that employers can attract highly-qualified
woman’s oestrogen levels begin to decline. understand exactly what is happening to them women who currently feel left out of the
This often coincides with a time when many during perimenopause and menopause, from workplace.
women are at the top of their careers and have the brain fog to anxiety and hot flushes. I know
accumulated lots of valuable experience. It first-hand how difficult this time can be, and It is 2021 and workplaces have generally
is therefore vital, not only for women, but for there is no one-size-fits-all way to dealing changed for the better in recent decades.
the entire workplace and the wider economy, with the impact on an individual’s health and The extent to which flexible working and
that businesses change their mindset on wellbeing. homeworking has become accepted is an
menopause. exciting development. Now is the time to reset
Employers should be in a position to offer how businesses approach perimenopause
While such initiatives as Menopause female staff all the information and support and menopause, rather than seeing them
Awareness Month and Day should be required. A good starting point is just to take as something to avoid. Unfortunately, the
welcomed, as they encourage more people to time to listen to a woman’s situation and how experience of many women when it comes to
talk about this subject, I know from both my she is feeling, and make the workplace a more menopause is that a long and troubled road
professional role and personal experiences that comfortable place to discuss any challenges. lies ahead. We need to take action to show this
we still have a long way to go. Other topics that This support could begin with mentoring and does not have to be the case.
6 BC December 2021/January 2022
BC ADVERTORIAL
ow to avoid conflict in challenging
H
conversations and reach positive outcomes
As the Operational Lead for the Police Scotland Negotiation Unit, I had
responsibility for a large team of negotiators across the country. The Unit would
respond to hundreds of incidents annually. The types of incidents the negotiators
deployed to were diverse; from engaging with people in crisis, to crimes involving
kidnap and abduction.
On reviewing the circumstances of each
engagement, I noted that certain teams
appeared to resolve incidents more quickly
than others and upon further investigation, I
found there was a common theme. In incidents
where negotiators tried to rush the process, the
negotiations took longer to resolve, whereas
teams that proceeded more slowly resolved the
incidents quicker. The reasons for this included
the higher performing teams focussing on
applying a recognised structure to build trust,
increase influence, and create collaboration.
This recognised structure is known as the
Behaviour Bridge. The FBI introduced a similar
model many years ago and is still used today
by elite negotiation units across the globe
as a strategy to assist in reaching positive
outcomes.
The first step is Introduction. We all form an
opinion when we meet people for the first time. Then create Trust. It’s unlikely that a resolution about convincing the other party that they have
This is where the primeval part of our brain can be reached unless there’s some form control, feel valued and have been listened to.
kicks in. We all inevitably fall into ‘fight, flight or of trust. So how can you build trust quickly?
People like patterns of behaviour. We like The Behaviour Bridge is a tried and tested
make friends’ mode. We subconsciously think
‘is this person likely to prevent me getting what consistency and predictability. Being consistent strategy to establish strong working
I want? should I just get out of here? or are they in your demeanour and tone builds trust. Be relationships and create a culture where people
likely to be an ally?’ honest - telling your counterpart what the next will want to work with you to resolve issues or
steps are likely to be and delivering on them is a confrontation.
The key is to tailor your approach to make a great way to create a trusting environment.
good first impression. That could simply be Colin Harper is an internationally recognised
turning up on time to a meeting or letting the Next comes Influence. It is time to bring your speaker on influencing and negotiation
other person do most of the talking and don’t demands to the table. The key to success is strategies. He is a partner with Ogilvie Ross
make it all about you. always articulate your position first, then your LLP and was the former Operation Lead of the
concession. For example, “if you do this, then Police Scotland Negotiation Unit, a graduate
The second step is Empathy. We all understand of the FBI Hostage Negotiation Program
we can give you that”. In my experience, if you
what the definition of empathy may be but what and lead protester liaison for the 2014
highlight the concession first, that’s all the other
does it mean in a discussion? In my experience,
party will focus on. Commonwealth Games.
the other party is likely to be thinking two things
– ‘how can you help me get what I want?’ and The common mistake for those involved in Ogilvie Ross LLP
‘can you see things from my perspective?’ negotiations is to force their demands too Performance Consultants
Taking the time to prepare and consider early. Pushing your demands before you’ve
appropriate answers to these questions will established empathy, rapport and trust only www.ogilvieross.co.uk
ensure you establish empathy quickly. prolongs the discussion and damages any
chance of co-operation.
The third step is Rapport, often defined as
‘harmony and accord’. How can you fast The final step is Behavioural Change.
track rapport? My advice is to look for early Negotiations break down on many occasions
opportunities to problem solve together. Discuss because the other party no longer feels listened
challenges, see it from the other side’s perspective, to or valued. Successful influencers understand
and work collaboratively on a solution. that it’s not about being clever or forceful; it’s
December 2021/January 2022 BC 7
COP26: EDINBURGH SUMMIT
Edinburgh Summit Provides Capital Focus
on Greener Future
The vital role being played by businesses in media. Important strands of discussion were the scale and complexity of the challenge that
meeting Edinburgh’s ambitious Net Zero target to the policy environment needed to achieve a we all face. However, it is really heartening to
of 2030 was the central theme of a two-day just transition to a greener, fairer economy, and see that Edinburgh is playing a leading role. So
conference held in the Capital to coincide with the vital importance of making evidence-based much is being done across all sectors of the
the start of COP26, the UN Climate Conference. decisions based on data to avoid potential
city but we need more visibility and sharing
unintended consequences.
Both days saw a sell-out 150 delegates of best practice. Our universities are leading
attend the event in Dovecot Studios, with The conference also focused on the need to research, our financial sector is helping drive
more than 180 each day tuning in to view the tackle scope 3 carbon emissions - all of those environmental change by targeting “green
livestreaming of the event, to hear from a range indirect emissions that occur in a company’s
finance.” There are some stark statistics
of local and international speakers share their value chain – as opposed to those directly
thoughts and insight on the transition to net coming out of our construction and built
controlled or owned (scope 1) or indirectly
zero. emitted through the purchase of energy or environment sectors, but reassuring to hear
cooling (scope 2). Scope 3 emissions include that change is very much on the agenda –
The Edinburgh Summit was organised by
waste disposal, business travel, purchased though much to do. Scotland’s farmers are
Edinburgh Chamber of Commerce as the
culmination of several months of COP26 goods and services and transportation and moving to more sustainable practices and
activity held over the past few months in distribution. buying local will play a vital role in reducing the
partnership with City of Edinburgh Council in The event allowed businesses to showcase carbon footprint of our daily lives, thought there
the run up to the main event in Glasgow. work already ongoing, look at innovation, are many myths to debunk to help us make the
The two-day summit continued to focus on highlight and share best practice, and discuss right choices.
the four key pillars that have been discussed potential hurdles and solutions to meeting the
city’s ambition. “COP26 provides all of us in Scotland
throughout the activity – Green Finance, Green
with an opportunity to show our collective
Tourism, Greening the Built Environment, and Liz McAreavey, Chief Executive of Edinburgh
Green Food and Drink. It brought together determination to take a real lead in protecting
Chamber, said:
corporate directors, entrepreneurs, political the planet, and to do it in a way that shares
leaders, influencers, young people and the “Increasingly we are beginning to understand knowledge and innovation across the globe.”
8 BC December 2021/January 2022
BC ADVERTORIAL
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Our independence is your You are assured of the best
Surgeons Quarter is the commercial arm key to impartial advice and advice from our experienced
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In addition to Ten Hill Place Hotel and the
events and conference business which it
operates, Surgeons Quarter’s newest venture is
management of Surgeons Quarter Travel (SQ
Travel), a Hays Travel affiliated agency. Choice Going further
Founded weeks prior to the pandemic and With access to a wide Our profits help to advance
operated from within the college, SQ Travel range of suppliers you are surgical skills and save lives
was instrumental in arranging travel and guaranteed the best around the world
accommodation for medics around the country available choice
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While SQ Travel was established with the initial
intention of streamlining travel for surgeons
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independence is key to impartial advice and the
best offers available.
If you are looking to redesign your corporate
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spend , monitor traveller wellbeing and reduce
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Caring for people is fundamental to what we’ve
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To find out how SQ Travel can assist with your
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Surgeons Quarter promotes, sells and manages
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December 2021/January 2022 BC 9
MENTORING
The Role of Mentoring in a Post Pandemic World
During the Covid-19 pandemic, the workplace has undergone a quiet
revolution in terms of the way people now want to work and it has been
proven that new ways of working can be implemented.
For many, home working or partial
homeworking has become the norm and is
likely to remain that way. While this brings
many advantages it also brings its own
challenges.
According to Buffers 2019 State of Remote
Work report the biggest challenges faced by
remote workers were:
22% unplugging after work,
19% loneliness,
7% collaboration
8% staying motivated
Of course, these are challenges that can still be
faced even if you are going to a place of work.
Throughout the pandemic we found that
mentoring can play a key role in overcoming
many of these challenges.
Career development is another important area
that mentoring can play a key role. Career
development takes constant work, and when
you work remotely, you may need to find
additional support to ensure that you career
doesn’t stall.
Mentoring can play a vital role in helping in
career development, whether you are back in
your workplace or working from home. Here
are just a few of the areas where mentoring Networking and Visibility vision and by working with another professional
can help. it may throw up new options and directions
One of the big dangers of remote working you hadn’t even considered. It may give you the
is that you can lose touch with your
Knowledge and Skills colleagues. Networking is an essential way for
confidence to set your goals even higher and be
extremely motivating.
Knowledge and skills form the bedrock of any professionals to stay connected, relevant and
career, and it is important that you continue to up to date with their industries. By working
hone and develop your knowledge and skills with a mentor you will be expanding your
Opportunities
throughout your career, pursuing your interests network and improving your visibility either Opportunities are the key to any successful
which in turn will inspire your curiosity and keep within your organisation or your profession and career development but may not always
you engaged and motivated. your mentor may be willing to help you make be obvious or come knocking on your door.
important connections within their network. Working with a mentor could help you to
A rapidly changing workplace means that it uncover some important opportunities that
is now more important than ever to ensure may otherwise have passed you by.
that you develop new skills to keep your Career Vision and Planning
skill set and working practices relevant. In today’s fast paced work environment, it is If you would be willing to share your skills
This may mean that you need to participate easy to get so bogged down in day-to-day and experience with others or think you could
in some reverse mentoring, working with activities, that your career just drifts, and you benefit from a mentor then why not take a look
a younger person. Reverse mentoring don’t take the time to stand back and look at at our mentoring programme.
relationships can be very valuable in where your career is, where you would like it
Find out more here:
enabling both parties to develop different to be and what you need to do to get there. By
skills, knowledge and experience – it working with a mentor, you can ensure that www.edinburghchamber.co.uk/ business-
certainly won’t be a one-way exchange. you will make the time to work on your career mentoring/
10 BC December 2021/January 2022BC ADVERTORIAL
Collaboration is key to SQA’s
environmental strategy
This approach is helping SQA contribute to the national endeavour of achieving
net zero emissions by 2045.
Whilst COP26 focused on the need for
international collaboration to tackle the climate
crisis, it also highlighted the need for action
at a local level. This included a rallying call for
businesses to play their part.
As an employer of over 300 people based at its
office near Dalkeith, the Scottish Qualifications
Authority (SQA) takes its responsibility to limit
its impact on the environment seriously. This
has been reaffirmed in its recently published
Environmental Strategy 2021-24.
SQA will maximise its environmental
performance by enhancing existing practices,
for example by increasing recycling, reducing
consumption of natural resources, and
adopting digital processes where possible.
It will also build on successful initiatives which
have engaged and empowered SQA staff to
take steps to protect the environment whilst at
work, at home, and in their communities. Litter picking on Musselburgh beach
Many of these initiatives are co-ordinated by
SQA’s Environmental Working Group, which work within the Land Based and Environment
sees staff from across the organisation use sector.
national campaigns and awareness days to
help colleagues make environmentally friendly These skills are delivered through SQA
choices in their everyday lives. qualifications covering a wide variety
of disciplines, including Environmental
Recently, this has provided SQA staff the Management and Forestry, and which are
opportunity to attend workshops where they designed in partnership with SQA stakeholders.
received advice on reducing food waste and
has led to SQA’s Dalkeith office receiving a For example, SQA’s Scottish Vocational Tree planting at Royal High School
Cycle Friendly Employer award from Cycling Qualifications (SVQs), which provide a way
Scotland. for those employed in the sector to have their problem-solving approach to environmental
skills formally recognised, are developed issues.
SQA’s environmental activities extend into in collaboration with Lantra, the Sector
the capital and beyond, thanks to employee Skills Council, and are based on National By working collaboratively, SQA is ensuring
volunteering opportunities. Prior to the Occupational Standards. that the skills and knowledge acquired by
pandemic, this enabled staff to take positive learners at all levels, remain relevant in what is
action in their communities, through activities In addition, SQA is working alongside Education a continually evolving industry.
like tree planting at The Royal High School in Scotland and industry to embed environmental
skills into all new and revised National Courses For information on SQA’s Land Based and
Edinburgh, litter picking along Musselburgh Environmental qualifications, visit
beach, and tending to the garden at the and Skills for Work Courses. This Learning
for Sustainability (LfS) approach is providing www.sqa.org.uk/
Cyrenians Midlothian Community Hospital. environmentalqualifications
school pupils with the tools to take decisions
Regular monitoring has shown that this which are compatible with a sustainable and Find information on Learning for Sustainability at
organisation-wide approach is helping SQA equitable society. www.sqa.org.uk/learningforsustainability
contribute to the national endeavour of
achieving net zero emissions by 2045. The fundamentals of LfS can be seen within
SQA’s National 5 Environmental Science
SQA is helping people across the country course. The course allows candidates to
contribute to this target in its role as Scotland’s investigate the world in an engaging way,
national awarding and accreditation body, by including through fieldwork activity, and equips
providing them with the necessary skills to them with the confidence and skills to take a
December 2021/January 2022 BC 11NEW MEMBERS
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Richard Ellis Head of Membership, Richard.ellis@edinburghchamber.co.uk
December 2021/January 2022 BC 13ASK THE EXPERT
The future workforce and workplace
The first question to ask is where will your future workforce be working.
At home, in the office, or some kind of hybrid model?
By Michael Hart productive, the work will be better and we’ll is what we feed off. It fuels collaboration,
Creative Director, The Union all make more money. cements the bonds between us, and shapes
our culture. What kind of culture will we
Over the last 19 months we’ve all settled But not everyone lives in a house with
foster if we rarely meet in person? What kind
enough space to genuinely separate life
into new routines and new habits. We don’t of values will we share? If there’s nothing to
from work. There’s little balance to be found
have to get up as early, pay for travel, sit bind us together, there’s nothing to keep us
in a one-bed flat seven days a week. Some
on a bus for two hours, make sandwiches from leaving. And if can’t pull off that trick, our
of our people live alone and feel the need for
the night before, iron clothes, or even wear present workforce won’t be our future one.
human contact for their mental health just
anything other than joggy bottoms, hoodies
as much as the person who needs to walk The future workplace will, of course, be a
and slippers. There are fewer interruptions,
a dog at lunchtime. Having separation is, blend of postcodes. But being in the office,
it’s easier to concentrate, we can go out for
for many, vital. But perhaps the reason for in our case, is more important than we think.
walks, drop off and pick up the kids, and all going back to the office is the very reason Culture has a huge say in making a company
in all, eke out a better work / life balance. we decided to work at an advertising agency one that people want to work for and keep
And if we can achieve that, then we’ll all like The Union in the first place. working for. Yes, we all need to feel trusted,
be happier, which means we’ll be more
We’re a company that thrives on the valued and empowered, and there needs to
energy, creativity and buzz of our people. be clear career paths and opportunities to
upskill. And that is built on the promise that
Culture has a huge say That buzz happens when you walk in the
office every morning and it’s alive with The Union is a fun and stimulating place to
in making a company ideas, personalities, possibilities. That buzz
doesn’t happen on a Zoom call. Point of
work and learn, where people, of all ages and
backgrounds, feel they are part of something
one that people want fact, it’s noticeably absent. Which means special because they make it special.
it’s noticeably absent for our clients. And
to work for and keep for anyone we’d like to hire. And if we can’t
Our most valuable assets start at 9am and
finish at 5.30pm, give or take.
working for. replicate it at home we’re in danger of losing
a significant part of who we are. That buzz www.union.co.uk
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December 2021/January 2022 BC 15INTERNATIONAL UPDATE
Go International with the Edinburgh
Chamber
Our Trade Mission Activity For further information, please email a new era where knowledge (and paperwork)
international@edinburghchamber.co.uk would be key to continued trading. Throw into
We hosted a virtual trade mission to Denmark,
the mix a global pandemic and latterly the lack
focusing on sustainability and our delegation
of HGV drivers and containers and we can see
received a presentation from the City of Documentation and Certification very quickly that it has been a difficult year.
Copenhagen, State of Green, British Chamber
of Commerce in Denmark and Scottish In our Documentation and Certification team, Despite the adversity, our Chamber Customs
Development International. Our delegation Export documents continue to rise across the service has continued advising and sign
received an overview on the key opportunities board with Arab and Consulate documents posting all enquiries, which have come our way.
in market and how Copenhagen plans to be a increasing. There has been an increase in
We continue to build a reputation of providing
net zero City by 2025. Our delegation included demand for Carnets to Europe due to Brexit,
this is expected to rise as Trade Shows open a high quality service and on behalf of our
Robop, Sisaltech, Almaborealis , Midton,
Topolytics , Hibernian Football Club , Recycl8 up again. The Food and Drink industry has been customers and continue to look for new ways
Limited and Belltree Limited. particularly busy, with whisky exports to China to grow the service for 2022 and beyond.
in high demand. We are however, still hearing of
The Chamber has also hosted a trade mission
to Poland with participation from the Life
the issues with delays due to the ongoing issue BCC International Trade Survey
of getting cargo booked on containers.
Sciences, Engineering, Drinks, Technology and Thank you for those who have taken part in
Creative sector. We look forward to hearing the
the British Chambers of Commerce 2021
outcome of the many discussions that have Chamber Customs
taken place during the B2B meetings. International Trade Survey, which covered areas
As we have completed our first full year of our including barriers to trade, your investment
We look forward to hosting our next virtual Chamber Customs service, we can take time
plans, and priorities for the net zero agenda.
missions to Massachusetts 15th-17th March to reflect on the many challenges businesses
The survey data will be shared directly with the
22 and Quebec 29th-31st March and will be have faced trading internationally. Starting
firming up on dates shortly for our forthcoming this new service, post Brexit, in unchartered most senior policy makers in UK government
missions to the Netherlands, Germany, China waters where suppliers, importers/exporters and will help feed into policymaking to create
and Spain. and freight companies took the first steps into better trading conditions for your business.
16 BC December 2021/January 2022CORPORATE VIEW
“Did you have a good COVID?”
Everyone knows the last 18-months have been difficult, but I was asked a
question recently which slightly threw me. Someone I haven’t seen for several
years asked, “Did you have a good COVID?”. My initial reaction was a mix of
shock and surprise, but it caused me to think through what has happened to
Ogilvie Ross during the pandemic.
The first time we realised COVID was going be rescheduled and we would keep projects engineering business in the morning, switch to
to be an issue was a Friday evening at running in some form. Within the first month of briefing sessions with the board of a Finnish
Amsterdam’s Schiphol airport. A colleague lockdown, we created a range of new services investmentbank over lunch with the end of
and I were returning from a week-long joint aimed at improving how people could pitch a day spent preparing the CEO of a French
Frankfurt & Amsterdam business trip. Schiphol and close business over Zoom. We completely pharmaceutical business ahead of a major
was completely empty! The following Monday revised how we delivered consultancy services shareholder event. The increased workload and
was the planned opening of our new purpose- to clients and almost all the planned work was new market areas meant we had to increase
built offices, and the UK went into the first back on the books. staff numbers.
lockdown. Within 48 hours, 95% of our long-
term client work was cancelled. That certainly Prior to the lockdown 90% of our work was The COVID pandemic continues to cause
focussed the mind! carried out in the client’s offices. Often this massive harm and disruption, but it’s also
meant many people traveling to a central brought opportunities we would never have
As part of the new office build, we invested in location for several days with all the associated thought of. Did we have a good COVID? Its
our own video conference room for up to eight flights and hotel costs. As our new model not an easy question to ask but the reality is, it
people. At the time none of our clients were didn’t require travel or accommodation the
using video as a communication mode but forced people to rethink how they do business,
clients had far more of their budget to spend and, for Ogilvie Ross, it has brought significant
we felt it was something we might need in the on delivering services. As a result, our billable
future. Sometimes you just land lucky! upsides. Welcome to the new global business
time increased, there was no travel disruption, models.
Over the following couple of weeks, we were and our consultants had an improved work/
in constant contact with our major UK and life balance. Additionally, clients asked us to John Ross is managing partner of Ogilvie
European clients. None of us really knew work in new geographical areas which could Ross LLP a specialist consultancy firm
what we should be doing but we agreed that not normally be achieved with conventional providing performance coaching and
video conferencing and the new-to-us “Zoom” travel plans. Now we can work with the mentoring to global businesses, governments,
facility might mean some of the work could Australian management team for a global charities, and sports bodies.
December 2021/January 2022 BC 17SPECIAL REPORT: PEOPLE & SKILLS
Success for first
students to embark
on Leonardo’s new
software graduate
apprenticeship
Edinburgh aerospace engineering company Leonardo,
which employs over 2000 people at their site at
Crewe Toll, has just seen its first generation of
software graduate apprentices receive the highest
honours for their degrees, thanks to a dynamic
collaboration with Heriot-Watt University and the
apprentices themselves.
Even though they had never studied software Deborah Soley, Head of Apprenticeship
engineering in the past, Leonardo’s first cohort Management UK said: “This was a first for
of software graduate apprentices have excelled us – so we could not be prouder of the way
in their degrees for Software Development for Michael, Bradley, Gavin and Jamie immersed
Business BSc (Hons) at Heriot-Watt University. themselves in their studies. To receive a first in
a degree, you have to demonstrate exceptional
Michael Coleman, Bradley Yates, Gavin Davis
and Jamie Jack were the first to embark on a command of your subject, showing you have
new software graduate apprenticeship offered not only mastered its concepts, but you can
understanding around fundamental database
by aerospace engineering company Leonardo put them into practice with excellence. They
have managed to do just that, against the odds programming and management, as well as
based at Crewe Toll in Edinburgh. network security.
presented by the pandemic and the fact that
Their outstanding academic achievement none of them were familiar with software to Speaking about their course success, Bradley
follows years of pioneering work performed begin with makes their achievement even more Yates, who attended Inverurie Academy said:
between Leonardo, Heriot-Watt University and striking.” “This was my first time working away from
the graduate apprentices themselves, to forge
Heriot-Watt’s Software Development for home as I grew up in Aberdeenshire. It feels
a brand new path of academic learning coupled
Business Graduate Apprenticeship builds great that the three of us have come out of it
with ‘on the job’ experience in industry. Michael
core skills needed by business, including with a first. We were a bit anxious going into
Coleman, 22, Bradley Yates, 22 and Gavin Davis,
object-oriented web programming, the writing it as guinea pigs but it has worked out really
23 received firsts for their degrees while Jamie,
23 received a 2:1 for the course. of algorithms and the development of an well.
What makes the graduate apprenticeship
To receive a first in a degree, you have to different to a traditional degree is that students
split their time between lectures and tutorials
demonstrate exceptional command of your and their day job.
subject, showing you have not only mastered Students are given intensive learning support
for the first two years of the degree, followed
its concepts, but you can put them into practice by two further years of studying where they
are given much more freedom to design and
with excellence. lead their own learning. This freedom meant
Deborah Soley, Head of Apprenticeship Management UK the software graduate apprentices could shape
their learning in a proactive way so that their
18 BC December 2021/January 2022hands on experience in industry supported their his programming, as it was to be used for real is when you realise you’ve solved a problem
studies. world engineering. An additional benefit to the you’ve had for weeks by cracking the code
software graduate apprenticeship at Leonardo - one day you just get it and it works. You
Michael Coleman, who previously attended
was being able to apply theory the very next are constantly able to build something from
Ross High in Tranent said: “When it came
day in the live business, rather than having to scratch with code to solve problems.”
to object oriented design, I just couldn’t get
wait for labs at the university. This reduced the
my head around it and so I approached my Dr Gillian Murray, Deputy Principal (Business
risk of forgetting specific code in the days that
mentors at Leonardo and our apprentice team and Enterprise) at Heriot-Watt University
would lapse between the lecture and the lab on
and in the end, we created an in-house course said: “We’re delighted to have reached this
a traditional course.
together. Object oriented design is important, significant milestone with Leonardo, who are
as you use it to solve software problems. The Gavin Davis, 23, who studied at Knox Academy one of our key employer partners. Leonardo
in-house course we created together rapidly in Haddington, originally started working at has been a strong supporter of our Graduate
improved my understanding. At the end of the Leonardo in 2015 as a technical apprentice, Apprenticeship programme since it began in
year we had to select a topic and I decided I then transferred over to the Graduate 2017. The academic achievements of Bradley,
wanted mine to be entirely focused on object Apprentice software scheme after taking an Gavin, Michael and Jamie are a testimony
oriented design. I got 83%, something I wouldn’t interest in software. He believes the course to how the Graduate Apprenticeship model
have believed was possible at the beginning of hasn’t just equipped him with skills, it has also can make industry-university collaboration a
the year. “ given him a greater sense of confidence in his
success. By working together, we have created
problem solving skills.
Michael also found his learning accelerated a learning experience that has enabled the
due to the fact that he was creating software Gavin said: “Once you have learned the basics graduate apprentices to achieve their full
for live programmes, where he would create of coding, those concepts are applicable to potential. We wish them well on the next stage
software for a subsystem of a radar, rather most programming languages. I enjoy coding of their career journey and we’re sure they’ll
than a purely theoretical piece of coursework. as you can write the code, push a button and go on to make a significant contribution at
This added to the sense of pride he took in see if your idea works. The most exciting thing Leonardo.”
December 2021/January 2022 BC 19SPECIAL REPORT: PEOPLE & SKILLS
The start of something
new: Roadmap towards the
zero-carbon construction
site of the future
Hector MacAulay MBE, Balfour Beatty Regional Managing Director of
Scotland, reflects on the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26,
and how the company is turbocharging its carbon reduction efforts at the
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh
I have no doubt that the electric buzz that
Hector MacAulay MBE rippled across Scotland during the United
Balfour Beatty Regional Managing Nations Climate Change Conference, COP26,
Director of Scotland will be felt for many years to come. A pivotal
moment in time, over those two critical weeks,
world leaders pulled together to put in place
new solutions and to shape the ambitions that
will drive change and help to tackle the biggest
societal challenge we’ve ever faced.
Despite the positive momentum that COP26
has inevitably promoted, we know that the
conversation doesn’t and shouldn’t end there.
Whilst it has catapulted us into an era, one
in which climate change and the carbon we
produce has become a primary focus for
governments, businesses, and people alike –
collectively, we still have a long way to go.
At Balfour Beatty, sustainability is at the
heart of what we do. We have been on our
sustainability journey since 2010 during which
time we have reduced our carbon emissions
by 55% and have launched our refreshed
sustainability strategy, Building New Futures.
It’s a journey that continues to revolutionise
how we operate, making us reconsider the
tools and systems we use, and develop the
innovative new solutions that will ensure that
We will share our learnings and findings to we can build back smarter, faster, and greener.
take our customers and supply chain partners Last month, we went one step further to
explore the art of the possible and harness the
along with us – we know that we must lead spirit of innovation at our Edinburgh Biomes
from the front if we are to move the dial project at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh,
paving the course towards the zero carbon
across the construction and infrastructure construction site of the future.
industry in its entirety. Over the next year, we will be focusing on our
scope 1, 2 and 3 emissions, and in doing so, will
20 BC December 2021/January 2022Credit - RBGE/Nicoll Russell Studios
be monitoring our own emissions as well as the at our processes, consider how and what we Despite these difficulties, our spirits have not
emissions associated with our supply chains on- procure and what we are measuring. been dampened and we are lining up a host of
site activities, the embodied carbon of materials new, exciting innovations and systems which we
As we implement our roadmap towards a
used, emissions generated from transport to and will introduce over the next few months. Next in
zero carbon construction site at our Edinburgh
from site, as well as waste generated. Biomes project, we have created a new body line is our own state-of-the-art EcoNet system,
to help coordinate the resource and experience developed in partnership with Sunbelt Rentals
It is through the we have across our global business. We have
introduced additional Procurement resource, a
and Invisible Systems, that autonomously
manages power demand by automatically
decisive action we Net Zero Champion and Carbon Manager, to help turning appliances and equipment off when not
are taking at Balfour
us accurately calculate and record our carbon in active use.
impact and support our teams to make better,
Beatty, that we will more carbon friendly decisions. Our journey towards the construction site of the
future comes at a time when governments are
support the UK in
Whilst work on site continues, we are also
really beginning to concentrate on our industry
actively encouraging our teams to improve their
and our associated environmental footprint. In
becoming a world overall understanding of carbon through our
carbon conscious training programme which we Scotland it is not just about doing the right thing
leader in carbon launched in September. In addition, we signed up
our full Senior Leadership Team in Scotland to
anymore. As a leader in the climate change
movement, new legislation has recently been
reduction. participate in the Climate Solutions Accelerator introduced requiring construction companies to
course, where our leaders have learnt direct from demonstrate how they will support the transition
world leading experts in the practical solutions to a net zero future - whether that is through
We will share our learnings and findings to take
they can implement to help tackle climate the tools and systems we use, the materials we
our customers and supply chain partners along
change. procure or how we dispose of our waste.
with us – we know that we must lead from
the front if we are to move the dial across the However, as with any ‘first-of-its-kind project’,
It is through the decisive action we are taking
construction and infrastructure industry in its we have faced our fair share of challenges,
at Balfour Beatty, that we will support the UK in
entirety. particularly when it comes to procuring electric
plant and machinery. The fully electric excavators becoming a world leader in carbon reduction.
With the wheels now in motion, we have already available to the construction and infrastructure We hope that our Edinburgh Biomes project will
highlighted the progress we have made to date industry at the moment are simply not big become a beacon of possibility for our industry.
as well as the obstacles we have faced in the enough for the job and hybrid models are in short A project that will inspire our industry to take
first of our online diary entries as we look afresh supply and high demand. action, now.
December 2021/January 2022 BC 21You can also read
