The Efficiency North team gathered at Sovereign Court on Friday 30 November to celebrate Mark Scott’s contribution to construction over his career and wish him well in his next step with a special cake to mark the occasion.
Operations Executive Mark Scott will move from EN:Able Futures at the end of November to carry out a wider role with Efficiency North, capitalising on his knowledge and experience in training and people development. The move will also enable Mark to devote more time to his role as President of the Yorkshire Builders Federation.
Mark is a Civil Engineer with well over 30 years’ experience in a varied career, having started out as a technical apprentice himself with West Yorkshire County Council, studying for his National Certificate at Wakefield College. He has since worked in multiple areas of construction within the private and public sectors, including highways, infrastructure, canals and housing. In 1998 he began teaching and qualified as a teacher in Further and Higher Education, moving on to running a successful training centre and construction company for Leeds City Council. Mark became a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts last year for his work and dedication to finding practical solutions to social challenges.
Apprenticeship innovator
Using his networks, personal reputation, and understanding of the sector, he switched from building things to helping build lives and futures, and in 2013, came together with industry leaders to jointly achieve what was believed to be impossible – establish and operate a shared apprenticeship programme in construction across Yorkshire and the Humber. In 2013, from a standing start, the team delivered over 20 apprenticeships. To date they have succeeded in delivering 270 apprenticeship opportunities with a 100% progression rate for those completing programme.
Mark also grew a skilled and dedicated team to support the young people and host companies in the programme, laying solid foundations for what is now EN:Able Futures CIC.
Both the team and the apprentices have gone on to win awards for their work. Mark believes the creation of EN:Able Futures offers so much more to the sector. Not only does it stabilise and boost the potential of the shared apprenticeship programme, so it can do more to support increased levels of young people, but it has enhanced its offer to more host businesses of all sizes across the region. Building on this success, EN:Able Futures has recently launched an innovative, industry led Academy to address the major skills shortages in the industry, particularly affecting the professional/technical areas, and to develop future industry leaders.
Catherine Bishop, current Employment and Skills Executive, will continue to lead EN:Able Futures CIC as Head of Operations.
Lee Parkinson, Chief Executive of Efficiency North commented; “The board and I thank Mark for his outstanding commitment and contribution to the success of EN:Able Futures and all the work he has done over many years for and with Efficiency North. We look forward to his continuing support in his new role.”
Mark Scott commented, “I’d like to thank the Efficiency North team for their dedicated work and support given to me and the team at EN:Able Futures over a number of years. I am looking forward to my new role across the wider Group which will allow me to continue to support you all in our joint aim to build better communities across Yorkshire and Humber and determination to deliver sustainable futures for all. It has been and will continue to be a true honour to work with you all.”