GLASGOW, Scotland, March 5, 2025 -- Star Refrigeration's HR Administrator Gillian Dunbar has been invited to speak at the prestigious Investors in Young People (IIYP) Good Practice Networking Event, taking place on 5th March 2025 at the DoubleTree by Hilton Edinburgh City Centre. The event will provide a platform for organisations to exchange best practices on workforce development, with a special focus on empowering young talent.
Star Refrigeration has been accredited by Investors in People since 2003, and continues to hold Platinum status (achieved in 2020) and Investors in Young People Gold (achieved in 2017), demonstrating its ongoing commitment to fostering a positive workplace culture. By employing IIP frameworks, the company has embedded practices that promote leadership, employee support, and continuous improvement in areas such as recognition, reward, and career development.
Coinciding with Scottish Apprenticeship Week, the IIYP networking event will bring together professionals involved in the recruitment, development, and retention of young people. Attendees will gain valuable insights, actionable strategies, and opportunities to learn from leading organisations dedicated to nurturing young talent.
Gillian Dunbar, HR Administrator at Star Refrigeration, said: "One of our five core values is 'Developing Young People' and we are committed to creating career opportunities that support young professionals in building their future through our apprenticeship and trainee programmes. We continuously adapt and listen to young people to ensure we provide the best possible development pathways for them.
We have also expanded our STEM engagement initiatives, raising awareness of the industry and the diverse range of job opportunities it offers, from early years education through to Further and Higher Education, as we aim to attract a more diverse pipeline of future talent.
As part of our ongoing improvement ethos, we track our progress and constantly refine our people practices, ensuring Star continues to be a great place to work."
Gillian will share the company's initiatives aimed at broadening its talent pipeline, including the Star Academy. The programme connects undergraduates with work experience opportunities, allowing students to gain hands-on industry exposure while bridging the gap between education and employment. Star Academy has successfully engaged students across various departments, including design, sales and marketing, sustainability, HR, and engineering. Since its official launch in December 2023, the programme has seen notable success, with students benefitting from flexible term-time work, bursaries, summer placements, and potential full-time employment upon graduation.
Gillian will discuss Star Refrigeration's attraction and recruitment strategies, which have been shaped by direct feedback from young employees. Recent improvements include expanding the number of trainers, reducing training duration through increased mentorship, and increasing apprenticeship engagement. As a result, the company has seen a 50-60% rise in apprenticeship applications, a streamlined training process, and a significant increase in young talent within the organisation.
The IIYP Good Practice Networking Event provides a unique opportunity to exchange ideas, gain insights, and support the next generation of skilled professionals.
For more information about the IIYP Good Practice Networking Event, visit https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/investors-in-young-people-good-practice-networking-event-tickets-1089888639259?aff=website
For more information on Star Refrigeration's people development initiatives, visit Refrigeration Engineer Jobs & Careers | Star Refrigeration
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