ABM launches seventh annual student STEM programme

ABM is championing its seventh intake of junior engineers with the launch of its annual student STEM programme.

Working in partnership with The Talent Foundry, Facilitate Now! will see 120 students gain a behind-the-scenes look into STEM careers with a focus on facilities management and engineering as well as essential workplace skills and confidence-building.

ABM’s commitment to investing in future technical talent forms part of the strategic growth plan spearheaded by Richard Sykes, SVP and President of ABM UK and Ireland. With both facilities management and apprenticeships suffering from a perception issue, Facilitate Now! plays a key role in capturing the imagination of the next generation and developing the core technical and soft skills needed to excel in industry.

The flagship initiative also forms part of ABM’s continued commitment to community engagement, a key pillar of the company’s renewed, customer-centric Corporate Responsibility strategy for FY25.

Supported by national social mobility charity, The Talent Foundry, Facilitate Now! has evolved from ABM’s Junior Engineer Engagement Programme (J.E.E.P.) which has run for the last six years. Facilitate Now! continues J.E.E.P.’s aim of improving social mobility for young people in underserved schools. The programme is delivered by facilitators from The Talent Foundry and supported by ABM volunteers who attend sessions to mentor and support students.

The programme is designed for Year 8 and 9 students, aged between 12 and 14 years old, reaching six schools across London, Birmingham and Bradford. Building on last year’s scheme, the 2025 intake will learn about a variety of facilities solutions enabling students to exercise creativity, take on a leadership role and problem solve as a team. The hands-on classroom workshops, supported by ABM volunteers, are supplemented by field trips to ABM client facilities, such as Manchester’s Corn Exchange and the London Transport Museum, where subjects like electricity, lighting, HVAC, front of house and sustainability are brought to life.

The programme culminates in an end of scheme presentation. This experience provides an opportunity for students to take their peers, teachers and ABM guests through a project they have devised, with the aim of demonstrating what they’ve learnt and exercising their speaking skills.

Facilitate Now! and its predecessor J.E.E.P. is assessed each year for impact with feedback from students, teachers and volunteers contributing to the ever-evolving curriculum.

The 2023-4 J.E.E.P. impact report found that:

• 120 young people took part in the programme with nine students also undertaking work experience with ABM
• 80 per cent of students agreed that they are now more interested in a career in facilities management
• 87 per cent of students agreed that the programme helped build their STEM skills
• 79 per cent of students agreed that they are more aware of their own skills and talents
• 79 per cent of students agreed that they have an increased awareness of apprenticeships with 67 per cent now considering an apprenticeship after school
• 100 per cent of teachers strongly agreed that their students have started to think more confidently about their futures after taking part
• 100 per cent of teachers agreed that the programme has increased students’ awareness of the diverse education and career pathways available to them
• 100 per cent of volunteers would like to take part again and are proud of ABM’s work with The Talent Foundry
• 100 per cent of volunteers agreed that the skills the young participants developed are relevant in FM

In total, 722 students have taken part in the programmes since 2019, the majority of whom are girls with all attending schools in areas of high deprivation.

Richard Sykes, SVP and President of ABM UK and Ireland, said: “Facilitate Now! and its predecessor, the J.E.E.P. scheme, are a key part of our strategic plan at ABM and every year we look forward to working with The Talent Foundry to welcome our next cohort of students.

“As well as opening their eyes to the many, varied opportunities offered by the facilities management industry, the scheme works to establish apprenticeships as a rewarding, fulfilling and boundless career path.

“At ABM, it’s everyone’s responsibility to support social mobility, encourage the next generation to reach their full potential and help secure a stable future for industry.”

Cate Smith, Head of Programmes and Partnerships at The Talent Foundry, commented: “We are delighted to continue our longstanding partnership with ABM as we launch Facilitate Now! – the evolution of the Junior Engineering Engagement Programme (J.E.E.P.). Now in its seventh year, this initiative continues to ignite interest in STEM careers, facilities management, and engineering, providing hands-on experiences for Year 8 and 9 students.

“By working with six schools across the country and offering both in-school sessions and real-world experiences at ABM client sites like the Corn Exchange in Manchester and the London Transport Museum, we are ensuring that young people gain valuable insights into these vital industries. ABM’s commitment to developing future talent is clear, and we look forward to another year of collaboration.”