ABM relaunches UK STEM program for disadvantaged students with seventh intake

ABM relaunches STEM engagement program with seventh intake of students

ABM has announced the return of its student-facing STEM initiative, Facilitate Now!, which introduces Year 8 and 9 students (ages 12–14 in the UK) to careers in facilities management and engineering.

The program, delivered in partnership with social mobility charity The Talent Foundry, is designed to build technical knowledge and workplace confidence.

ABM provides facility, engineering, and infrastructure services across the UK and Ireland. Its education engagement efforts are part of a broader strategy led by Richard Sykes, SVP and President of ABM UK and Ireland, to address workforce gaps and reshape perceptions of apprenticeships and technical careers.

Technical skills and real-world site visits

The Facilitate Now! program includes in-class workshops and visits to ABM-managed sites, such as the London Transport Museum and Manchester’s Corn Exchange. Students complete problem-solving tasks and group projects covering topics like electricity, HVAC, lighting, and sustainability.

Participants are supported by ABM volunteers and Talent Foundry facilitators, who provide guidance throughout the sessions. Each program concludes with a presentation, where students share their project work with peers, teachers, and ABM representatives.

The current cycle includes 120 students from six schools, all located in areas of high deprivation. Since 2019, the program has involved 722 students, most of whom are girls.

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.”

Program evolution and measured impact

Facilitate Now! replaces ABM’s earlier Junior Engineering Engagement Programme (J.E.E.P.) and builds on its core goals of increasing access to technical careers and improving social mobility. The curriculum is updated each year based on participant feedback.

An impact report from the 2023–2024 program showed that 80% of students expressed increased interest in facilities management careers. Seventy-nine percent said they better understood their own skills, and 67% said they would consider an apprenticeship after school. Teachers and volunteers reported strong engagement and skill development among students.

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.”