Press Release

Balfour Beatty Living Places (BBLP) has been awarded the Hampshire Investors in Young People Gold Award for their commitment to young people and the opportunities they provide.

Awarded by Hampshire County Council’s Executive Member for Education Councillor Peter Edgar at the County Council’s headquarters in Winchester, Councillor Edgar commented that “it is the partnerships between companies such as Balfour Beatty Living Places and the Council that makes for longstanding success in the county, particularly in providing structured and worthwhile futures for young people”.

BBLP recognises the social, economic and environmental responsibilities that businesses have and are committed to providing lasting employment and development opportunities across their business.

Through an established Social Responsibility Charter, BBLP support and invest in employees’ development and welfare, and promote local employment to ensure a positive influence on the communities in which BBLP operate. BBLP also provide employment opportunities to vulnerable young adults who are considered not in education, employment or training (NEET Life Chances Scheme).

Through partnership with Southampton City Council, BBLP always offers a minimum of four local apprentices and two graduates in employment. These young people benefit from a complete training and development programme as well as a dedicated mentor to help guide them in their progression as well as offering assistance, help and guidance should they need someone to talk to.

Of the first six apprentices employed by BBLP, many have gone on to further success. While one apprentice is now working permanently as a Highways Operative with two other Highways Operatives Apprentices being promoted to work as an Assistant Quantity Surveyor and the other as a Trainee Traffic Technician. Councillor Edgar commented on the Balfour Beatty Apprenticeship scheme, encouraging other companies to “replicate this valuable and worthwhile structure to help to encourage young people into the world of work”.

Brian Hammersley, Contract Manager at Balfour Beatty Living Places for Southampton, commented on the award, “We are very proud to have our activities in support of young people in the community recognised by the county. The Investors in Young People Award is a prestigious award and shows our commitment to providing long-term, structured development and career opportunities for both young people and those from vulnerable backgrounds”.

ENDS

Media enquiries to:
Antonia Walton
Balfour Beatty
T: +44 (0) 207 9632267
E: Antonia.walton@balfourbeatty.com
www.balfourbeatty.com | follow us @balfourbeatty

Notes to editors:

Balfour Beatty Living Places works in long-term partnerships with local authorities to create great places to live, work and play. We actively engage with local people to understand the needs of the communities we work in and shape the places where local economies can thrive and grow. We’re a leader in sustainable working, diversity and social value, and we use our expertise to bring real, positive change for our customers. We leave a legacy of connected communities with strong local economies that really work for local people with clean, safe and prosperous streets and social spaces.

Balfour Beatty is a member of ‘The 5% Club’, a UK industry-led initiative focused on creating momentum behind the recruitment of apprentices and graduates into the workforce.
Chief Executive Leo Quinn was the founding member of the 5% Club. Balfour Beatty joined in December 2013, the first company in the infrastructure industry to join.

The ‘Hampshire Investors in Young People Award' has been developed as a way of recognising and raising the profile of those employers who are committed to supporting and inspiring young people in the county, through various methods.