Mansell, a Balfour Beatty brand, has worked with its customer, British Land, to provide ten young people with an opportunity to get into the construction industry in London.
The initiative is part of the ‘Budding Brunels’ scheme and aims to increase aspirations and academic performance by introducing young people to careers in the built environment through work experience placements.
The young people were given work placements following their attendance at a one-day workshop where they were presented with an insight into the construction industry and then given the opportunity to apply for a one-week placement. The young people are all aged between 17 and 24 and have been provided with work placements with Mansell, its supply chain or British Land.
Mansell was able to accommodate double the number of young people originally anticipated with two of the successful applicants already on a five-week apprenticeship programme which could lead to a permanent job opportunity.
Alistair Clarke of British Land, said: “I was extremely impressed by the imagination and efforts of the participants, together with the input by all members of the Mansell project team. I hope that we have managed to inspire at least a few young people to join our industry.”
Jo Raeburn, Operational Standards Manager for Balfour Beatty, said: “We’re delighted with the results of the Westminster Budding Brunel event. The fact that we were able to double the number of placements due to high demand highlights the importance of running these schemes.”