Our Commitment to The Community Neilcott tailor social value commitments to local needs and client preferences on every project. We provide dedicated resource and regular information to make sure that agreed commitments are delivered on the ground. We source materials and labour locally, providing high-quality London Living Wage jobs and opportunities for local businesses – c70% of our supply chain are SMEs. Our Employment & Skills Plans target key priority groups for training, whether through formal apprenticeships, supported ‘pre’-apprenticeships, up-skilling or employability training. Our community engagement initiatives build on local needs, working with local charities, schools, colleges and interest groups to fund local projects, get involved through volunteering or facilitate site tours and workshops. Info box:Project:Leyton Green Partnership ProjectClient:London Borough of Waltham ForestValue:£7.5m Description: To improve life chances of vulnerable young people at Belmont Park Special School by creating tailored ‘pre’-apprenticeships with additional support. Providing opportunities to ‘Dream, Believe, Achieve’ atLeyton Green The Leyton Green Partnership Project combines Social Care, Education and Housing on the same project through new and improved educational facilities for Belmont Park School, along with purpose-built new residential respite and therapeutic facilities. Belmont Park School caters for 65 students with Social, Emotional and/or Mental Health (SEMH) issues aged between 10-18 years old who require specialist provision within a small school setting. The school ensures that the students’ transition from school to paid employment is supported, reducing the risk of individuals becoming involved in crime within the borough. Whilst on site at Belmont Park School, we were keen to support the school’s mission and provide opportunities for students to gain new skills and exposure to the world of work through meaningful work experience and supported pathways to employment. Social Value Champion Laura Elster worked with the school to create a Social Value Plan tailored to their needs. This focused on work experience and bespoke ‘pre’-apprenticeships which were deemed more valuable to their students, particularly to those who lacked confidence or had specific learning difficulties. Initiatives included: Site visits and work experience for 12 students – Students studying construction at the school were given the opportunity to shadow a variety of trades, including site management. The construction students were then tasked with attaching some of the school’s art work to the front of the hoarding creating an outdoor gallery. Paid work placements for 3 students – who were coming to the end of their construction course at the school, each student was assigned a mentor who supervised them at all times. Paid ‘Pre’-Apprenticeships were created for 3 students – all still working with us. For many students with SEMH issues wishing to enter the construction industry the opportunity to gain experience of different trades and have a little more time and support to experience life on-site is extremely valuable to build the self-esteem required before taking on the challenge of a formal apprenticeship: One student who had just completed his construction course was supported in obtaining his CSCS card and joined our Groundworks team One ex-student had recently left school to work as an apprentice caretaker, but found the experience overwhelming due to his speech and language difficulties. He showed a keen interest in carpentry and therefore 30-minute basic carpentry sessions were provided twice a week after work. One student successfully transitioned from antisocial/criminal behaviour through structured work environment support and evidence of his successful track record. Apprenticeship Information Session for 12 students – within the new cohort of the construction course, delivered by our Apprentice Coordinator with the assistance of current apprentices who gave an insight into the realities of an apprenticeship. All students were provided with Neilcott’s Careers in Construction guide. “Neilcott has been very supportive of Belmont Park School this year. They have taken on some of our 16 – 18 year olds and provided them with a caring secure work community that has helped develop our students and prepare them for the ‘real world’. They have been exceptionally patient and supportive with our young people. Our students all have EHC plans for Social, Emotional and Mental Health needs, Neilcott has provided a secure and caring halfway house between school and work for some of the most vulnerable young people in the borough. I cannot thank them enough and would certainly recommend them to any other education provider as a work placement.” Jeff Lastiosis Deputy Head Teacher, Belmont Park School Women into Construction In addition to school-led employment and skills activities at Leyton Green, Neilcott supported a Women into Construction event aimed at creating ‘returnship’ work placements, apprenticeships and jobs for women wishing to enter the industry. We were introduced to Helna who had studied her Engineering degree later in life and was struggling to find her first role within the industry. We offered her: 1 month paid work placement with our Site Engineer, providing valuable experience and a reference for future job applications. 1 full-time role following an extremely successful placement Info box:Subcontractors:Landworth Electrics LtdDP Building Services LtdTrade:Electrical / MechanicalAnnual spend:£2-3m per subcontractor Description: Working in trust and partnership with key subcontractors has enabled collaboration over the last 10 years to jointly train and support the next generation of construction professionals Embedding social value across our supply chain Neilcott’s apprenticeship programme has been specifically geared towards supporting the long-term unemployed, troubled and disadvantaged young people and those who are underrepresented within the construction industry. It is important to us that all apprentices are directly employed by Neilcott to ensure that the experience and support they receive is appropriate and constructive, particularly when managing disabilities or special needs, including an apprentice (now employee) with cystic fibrosis. In addition, it creates a sense of belonging for these young people, something that is perhaps valuable to those from challenging backgrounds. It also allows us to help trainees develop broader life skills which are just as important as learning a trade/profession. Although directly employed by us, trade apprentices work under the direction of one of our trusted subcontractors with whom we have long-standing relationships. In particular, we have been collaborating with Landworth Electrics and DP
