QTS Group, members of Ayrshire Chamber of Commerce, started as a family business 32 years ago, and has grown to become a leading rail contractor employing over 700 people across the UK.

The business has grown exponentially, which is down to the hard work and dedication of their people. QTS’s staff are their strongest and most valuable asset. Recognising this helps the company to put them at the forefront of their vision, to ensure they have positive retention rates and to ensure that staff feel that they are a key part of their success. 

QTS communicate regularly to staff through their quarterly newsletter, The Voice, and through their recently launched staff app. They also utilise social media and the QTS website to share good news stories to the local communities. 

Training and upskilling are an important component of the business. The QTS team have access to the best opportunities – whether it’s critical to their job role or for further development. QTS have implemented an online Learning Hub where bespoke training on a variety of subjects is available at the touch of the button. The QTS Management Development Academy has been created to support managers to ensure that they have the necessary skills and support required for management roles. It is delivered through in person workshops, online courses and workbased actions, over a six month period. 

They are a proud Investors in Young People Platinum employer, highlighting their commitment to the progression and development of talent coming up through the business. QTS is one of only eight companies to achieve this level of accreditation. 

A focus on health and wellbeing is key to ensuring QTS employees are looked after. They have over 100 mental health first aiders and, as well as offering a free Employee Assistance Program, they also run an internal campaign called Quit The Stigma, to encourage their people to speak out if they are struggling. 

QTS is one of the first rail contractors in the UK to offer cancer screening as part of its annual health surveillance. This allows private screening for Prostate, Bowel and Ovarian cancer, with a proactive intention towards healthcare helping to provide peace of mind. 

So far across the UK, they have had 247 people screened for prostate cancer (six follow ups), 43 for ovarian cancer (five follow ups) and 361 for bowel cancer (nine follow ups). 

Utilising these schemes helps them to both attract and retain staff, as does initiatives and training programs, with 15% of their workforce in ‘earn and learn’ positions. QTS invest in their workforce development through training and educational opportunities. Over the past two years, improvements in terms and benefits, family-friendly policies, and a holistic approach to employee well-being have contributed to a positive work environment. 

In their continued commitment to being a fair and inclusive business, QTS is applying for Investors in Diversity, with the objective of achieving this in 2025. This process will help the business put in place an effective action plan, to improve their diversity and inclusion, enhancing the workforce and further improve attraction and retention.