In an exceptional list of finalists, including GlaxoSmithKline, Stevie Kidd won the Director Award for Developing Young People.
The award, presented by broadcaster Kaye Adams in front of an audience of Scotland’s leading business and political figures, is an important milestone for the KDS Group.
KDS deliver work experience programs and a unique mentoring service for young people who are facing the biggest challenges in life.
This programme is a “Leadership Development” initiative and helps the young people to deal with the specific challenges they are facing but also looks at focusing on their future and helping them to achieve their career goals and bettering themselves.
Special mention was made on the night to the unprecedented work experience programs that have been devised for young people with Down's Syndrome and Asperger’s Syndrome.
We remove the doubts, fears and barriers that can hinder young people as they move from school into college, university or the workplace and supply them with the verbal, mental and physical skills to flourish and succeed.
With every young person KDS work with, on an individual and group level, we make sure that they do not waste the fantastic opportunities that are available to them.
With a huge passion for youth, over the last twelve months Stevie has increased the amount of activity he and the company are doing to improve the lives of young people. Providing valuable life skills and skills for work through KDS Training the company has given over 1,000 people the self belief, confidence and skills to enable them to get back into the workplace.
Focusing on individuals who are 16 or over with multiple barriers to employment, including mental health issues and low self-esteem, KDS Training has successfully completed over 30 courses in areas all over Scotland across 12 local authorities.
Every member of the KDS team have ensured that Stevie’s vision of widening the horizons and opportunities for young people grows every day.
This award is a fantastic achievement for KDS and for every young person who works with us to achieve their ambitions.
To win this award from our peers within the Scottish business community is also a proud moment.
Not, however, a moment to sit on our laurels but to look into the future and continue, minute by minute and person by person, to improve the lives of every young person we work with.
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Want to learn more? Read and watch some of the personal successes young people have enjoyed with KDS. These include Stephen McDonald, Mark McKirdy and Lynsey Mackay and Sarahjane Sarkhosh