Developing our talent
Learning, development and digital capability
Investment in skills remained a core priority in FY26. Across the Group, colleagues completed over 632,900 learning courses, averaging 8.3 courses per colleague, and 88.4% of salaried employees received an end-of-year performance review, up from 82.6% in FY25.
We supported over 1,800 colleagues through apprenticeships across more than 120 programmes, ranging from Level 2 to Level 7 and spanning technical, professional and managerial qualifications. More than £7.5m of apprenticeship levy funding was invested in Mitie apprentices, with our learners achieving an 89% success rate, well above the government target of 60%. This includes levy-gifted placements supporting 54 external apprentices across 32 organisations, a significant step up from the 1,500 apprentices supported in FY25. We have been recognised as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer for the fifth consecutive year, currently ranking in 16th place, and were awarded Silver status in the 5% Club, recognising our commitment to earn-and-learn development opportunities.
Mitie recognises that digital skills are not optional, they are fundamental to how our colleagues deliver services, engage with customers and develop their careers. Our enterprise-wide Digital Academy provides a single, accessible learning ecosystem for building digital, data and AI capability at every level of the workforce, bringing together self-directed, facilitated and community-led learning alongside professional qualifications. In FY26, we committed £1.5m of apprenticeship levy funding in recognised digital qualifications, representing £3.5m of total investment over the lifetime of these programmes, and developed a network of over 170 Copilot Champions to drive peer-to-peer learning. Microsoft 365 and Copilot communities now include more than 2,200 members, supporting adoption and collaboration across the business.
Women in Leadership
Now entering its fourth year, the Senior Women in Leadership programme continues to build strong momentum, following the successful launch of three cohorts. Graduates from the inaugural cohorts achieved distinctions when they completed the programme, setting a strong benchmark for subsequent cohorts. In addition to strengthening strategic and commercial capabilities, the programme has contributed to clear career progression, including two promotions and one participant receiving an external industry award.
Building on this success, Level 3 and Level 5 Women in Leadership pathways have now been introduced, creating a robust pipeline of more than 100 emerging female leaders.
Skills, green jobs and social mobility
Mitie’s apprenticeship programme is one of the most significant levers for social mobility in our business. Our green skills agenda continued to grow in FY26, with programmes in engineering, energy, digital and sustainability disciplines helping to build the workforce that the UK’s transition to Net Zero requires.
Our Ignite 360 Growth Academy, structured around our Find, Win, Grow and Keep framework, supported colleagues across Business Development and Account Management, with participants reporting an average 35% increase in confidence and capability since launch.
We track the social mobility of colleagues who complete an apprenticeship programme with us to demonstrate the benefit and return for individuals.
To bring these opportunities to life, watch our apprentices share their experiences of learning new skills, building confidence and progressing their careers through apprenticeship programmes at Mitie.
Social value return on investment
£70.2m
Social value return on investment, delivering apprenticeship training
National Apprenticeship Week
During National Apprenticeship Week 2026, we delivered a wide-ranging programme of activities designed to engage colleagues, develop skills and celebrate apprentices across the business. The Apprenticeship team hosted insight sessions to support award submissions and raise awareness of development opportunities, while targeted sessions for managers focused on how to effectively support apprentices through mentoring and the apprenticeship journey.
A series of virtual events and masterclasses provided future-focused learning, including career development sessions, technical apprenticeship showcases such as the Level 3 Safety, Health and Environmental Technician programme, and training in generative AI, data storytelling and communication. The week concluded by celebrating apprentices, sharing their stories and recognising their impact across teams and customers.
Apprentice stories
Charles Mowbray: Zone Learning and Development Support Manager
Charles’ journey on a team leader apprenticeship demonstrates how structured learning, combined with practical experience, supports colleagues to build confidence and progress. Through the Level 3 Team Leader apprenticeship, he developed key skills in communication, planning, decision-making and team management, applying these directly in the workplace and progressing into a Learning and Development role.
Charles’ experience also underlines the value of inclusive opportunities. As someone registered blind since birth, he adapted his learning to overcome challenges, building resilience, confidence and independence along the way.
The apprenticeship gave me structure and helped me understand what good leadership really looks like. Those skills have played a major part in my progression into Learning and Development, and they continue to help me every day.
Gemma Pickthorne: Cleaner
Gemma's experience highlights the personal impact of learning through a Cleaning Hygiene Operative apprenticeship, where she built practical communication and writing skills that she now applies confidently in her role, improving both her performance and sense of wellbeing at work.
I've overcome things I never thought I could. Learning how to write properly, using Teams for workshops, speaking up more – I can do all of that now.
Luke: Sustained growth
Luke, featured in our 2025 ESG Report, illustrates how early opportunities combined with practical learning can lead to sustained growth. After gaining experience through a placement at Tunbridge Wells Hospital, he progressed into a Facilities Apprenticeship with Mitie, achieving a Level 2 Property Maintenance Operative qualification with a Distinction in the theory element. His journey demonstrates how inclusive training pathways and sustained employer support can deliver lasting social value, enabling individuals to progress from education into meaningful, long-term careers.
1 promotion
Our apprentices have an average of one promotion per learner post-completion
£6,700
average salary uplift after completion
6%
of our current apprentices are doing their second or third programme with us
Digital inclusion
Mitie is introducing the Digital Standard programme to establish a baseline level of digital capability for all colleagues, helping ensure that no one is left behind as the business continues to transform.
This is complemented by our Digital Essentials programme, delivered in partnership with the Digital Poverty Alliance, which supports frontline colleagues with limited digital capability to build essential skills for work and everyday life. Through five cohorts delivered across Manchester, Central London, Greater London and Essex, the programme provided practical, in-person training covering smartphone use, email, online navigation and digital safety, alongside access to refurbished devices for colleagues without suitable equipment. More than 130 colleagues were identified through a non-digital communications campaign, with 95 colleagues completing workshops. Participants ranged in age from 21 to 75, demonstrating the programme’s broad reach across generations. In addition, 15 refurbished devices were provided free of charge to colleagues in need. Post-programme feedback showed strong outcomes, with 90% of participants reporting increased confidence in completing digital tasks, 76% feeling more connected to the wider Mitie community, and 67% reporting greater confidence using digital tools at home. The programme helps tackle digital exclusion, enabling colleagues to access information, services and opportunities that support both workplace participation and everyday life.
Safeguarding
Safeguarding at Mitie is designed for our colleagues in Local Government and Education, supporting them in understanding their unique role to safeguard children and vulnerable adults on the sites where we deliver services. We use video content to explore two scenarios, a ‘missed opportunity’ and ‘made a difference’, followed by clear guidance on when and how to report safeguarding concerns.
Since launch, 3,362 people have completed the training, with more than 90% compliance maintained across key roles (Cleaner, Caretaker, Facilities Manager). Feedback averages 4.6 out of 5, and we have seen safeguarding reports rise, demonstrating the effectiveness of the programme. Crucially, one colleague reported a concern that ultimately led to a referral to the local authority, stating it was the digital module that prompted them to act. The project was selected as a finalist at the British Training Awards.
Mitie’s Action Now campaign: Educate, engage, empower
Mitie’s Action Now campaign is a digital learning initiative designed to embed sustainability and social responsibility across the workforce. Aligned with our Net Zero and environmental goals, the programme covers key topics including biodiversity, energy efficiency, waste, circular economy, plastics, commuting, and modern slavery.
The campaign has engaged over 16,000 employees, with overwhelmingly positive feedback. It achieved a Net Promoter Score (NPS) of 58, far exceeding the target of 30.
Top-performing modules included:
- Introduction to Biodiversity – NPS 83, Star Rating 4.9
- Carbon Jargon Buster – NPS 73, Star Rating 4.7
- Plastic and Resource Efficiency – NPS 71, Star Rating 4.8
Throughout FY26, we updated the Action Now topics to better align with Mitie’s evolving strategic and operational goals. As part of this update, we have released one refreshed module each month, using platforms such as Viva Engage to actively promote the content and encourage colleague participation.
The programme continues to receive strong feedback, with participants describing it as informative, engaging and eye-opening, and many noting a positive influence on both their career direction and personal sustainability choices. By combining education with empowerment, Action Now strengthens Mitie’s position as a leader in sustainable business, and with plans to integrate it into onboarding and professional development, it remains a key pillar of our ESG strategy.
Building capability in counter-terrorism and protective security
Mitie strengthened its security and resilience offering through the introduction of an accredited Level 3 qualification in Counter-Terrorism Protective Security and Preparedness, delivered by specialist training provider PerpetuityARC. The programme supports organisations in preparing for evolving threats and forthcoming regulatory requirements, including Martyn’s Law, by developing practical frontline capability across security, facilities and health and safety roles.
The qualification provides structured, applied learning in risk assessment, protective measures and incident response, ensuring that participants can translate knowledge into real-world decision-making. By expanding access to accredited, industry-recognised training, Mitie enhances its ability to support clients in strengthening compliance, protecting people and improving operational resilience across complex estates.
Recognising and rewarding our colleagues
Recognition is one of the most powerful expressions of a healthy culture. In FY26, Mitie continued to invest in meaningful, tangible recognition for colleagues at every level:
- Over 31,355 Mitie Stars were issued as part of our colleague recognition scheme, with £83,500 awarded in prizes, including £66,000 in monthly prizes and top awards of £10,000, £5,000 and £2,500
- 8.6 million free shares were awarded to colleagues in FY26 as part of our first-ever double award, with a higher number of shares granted to frontline colleagues – the sixth consecutive year of free share awards
- Colleagues saved £418,412 through the MiDeals employee discounts portal
- Our annual achievement event was held at The Shard, celebrating the contribution of colleagues across the Group
My Achievement Awards 2026
Mitie recognised exceptional colleague contribution through the MyAchievement Awards, celebrating those who consistently demonstrated its Values through service, volunteering and everyday performance. The Mitie Star Upgrade scheme provided a structured way to recognise sustained performance, awarding bronze, silver and gold status to colleagues receiving 10, 20 and 30+ nominations. The Volunteer Champion Award highlighted broader social value, with colleagues contributing over 1,300 volunteer hours to community roles, and long service recognition saw 22 colleagues reach 40 years of service.
CEO Team Award – Sky Security Team, Osterley Studios: recognised for professionalism, resilience and peer support following a traumatic incident, maintaining operational control while supporting colleagues and stakeholders.
Gold Award – Kevin Willett, Security Officer, Community Health Partnerships Surgery, Hartlepool took immediate action during a life-threatening fire incident, using equipment to extinguish flames and save a life while sustaining serious injuries.
Silver Award – Jade Bridges, Forensic Medical Examiner, Northumbria Police: delivered urgent medical care to stabilise a patient in custody, ensuring continuity of care until emergency services arrived.
Bronze Awards – Alex Whyley, High Voltage Technician (identified and escalated a significant equipment fault, preventing a potential explosion) and Harvey Lovatt, Operations Manager, Technical Services (intervened to de-escalate a violent incident, protecting a colleague from harm).