Every day’s a school day at Motive Offshore Group

As pupils across the North-east settle back into school this August, one Aberdeenshire-based organisation is doing much the same.

Motive Offshore Group (Motive), a specialist in the manufacture, rental and servicing of marine equipment, sees its activity with the next generation as key to the organisation’s future growth and success.

Motive has long been a supporter of young people. The company was an early adopter of the Young Person’s Guarantee, an initiative that aims to connect every 16–24-year-old in Scotland to an opportunity. The Young Person’s Guarantee encourages employers to consider the different ways they might be able to support young people; they then receive ongoing support from Developing the Young Workforce (DYW) North East and its partners to deliver this support.

For Motive, their Young Person’s Guarantee pledge commitments are realised in a variety of ways. With headquarters in Boyndie and a facility in Kintore, they engage with a number of schools in the region. Team members regularly attend school careers fairs and pathways events and have also participated in activities such as mock interviews and life skills presentations.

Mark Dalgarno, Recruiter, Motive said: “The willingness to support young people in their career development is deeply rooted in Motive’s culture, and our staff across the business have a passion for helping to provide the skills and learning that school pupils need to make the transition from education to employment. We’re always looking to support our local communities and have been fortunate to partner with local schools across Aberdeenshire and be part of some superb projects in this last year alone.”

One such example is Motive’s support of a partnership programme with Banff Academy. The programme was designed to provide pupils with exposure to the entire recruitment process throughout the academic session - from learning about the company, writing a cover letter, applying for a specific role and being interviewed by a panel.

“As well as benefiting the young people, these programmes offer opportunities for our staff across the business, as we often have our people speaking to pupils and groups about their own experiences, which allows them to develop skills such as public speaking and leadership,” said Mark. “As a result, they play a huge part in our hiring for the next generation and keep our business moving forward.”

The company’s support does not stop at school level. Since its inception in 2010, they have consistently invested in their young workforce, hiring over 20 apprentices. Motive currently has staff across the business going through Modern Apprenticeships with North East Scotland College (NESCol) from both workshop and business support functions, with some recently completing their qualifications and moving into full-time positions in the business. Activity also takes place at Foundation Apprenticeship level, with Motive acting as a work placement provider for young people who are completing Foundation Apprenticeships.

Morven Garden, Business Administration Apprentice, joined Motive two years ago. Her apprenticeship has allowed her to gain on-the-job experience while earning a salary and working towards a recognised qualification.

Reflecting on her apprenticeship journey, Morven said: “After leaving school and not knowing what I wanted to do, the Modern Apprenticeship with Motive offered me the opportunity to learn, gain experience and earn at the same time.

“During my two-year apprenticeship, I’ve had the chance to take part in multiple events and projects that have allowed me to step outside my comfort zone and develop skills in communication, presenting and public speaking. As well as gaining valuable on-the-job experience as part of the sales team, I’ve been able to return to my old school - Banff Academy - to present to pupils about Motive Offshore and apprenticeships and hopefully help them on their journey too.

“Along with passing my course modules, and with the support of the team at Motive, I’m delighted to have recently been promoted to a Sales Administrator, supporting the business even further to work with our clients on projects around the world.”

The final area of the Young Person’s Guarantee pledge form encourages employers to be a champion for the Young Person’s Guarantee. Motive plays its part here too by actively supporting initiatives such as the #NoWrongPath campaign, which coincides with exam results day, plus Scottish Careers Week in November. Team Motive have also sought to raise awareness of the value of apprenticeships by sharing their experiences at information evenings. During Scottish Apprenticeship Week in March, they presented at the All About Apprenticeships event at NESCol's Fraserburgh campus.

For James Gregg, Founder and Chief Operating Officer, the company’s commitment to the next generation sits at the heart of Motive’s values.

He said: “We recognise the importance of supporting young people as they navigate the often daunting journey of finding their way into a career that allows them to develop both personally and professionally. We understand that this stage of life is filled with challenges and uncertainties, and strive to be a supportive partner during this time.

“Our aim is to create an environment where young people can thrive, build their confidence, and discover their true potential. We are proud to play a role in their journey and look forward to seeing them grow into the leaders of tomorrow.”

Employers who are interested in supporting young people can find out about the Young Person's Guarantee here, or contact DYW North East direct.

Young people and parents/carers who are keen to learn more about early careers with Motive Offshore can visit their website here.