Making a difference
Employment, education & skills case studies
Within our Morgan Sindall delivery team are a mixture of staff obtaining various qualifications, such as RICS and also those on structured career programmes such as year out placements and graduates. This has contributed to the 257 weeks of accredited training reported in section 5.
Please refer to Section 3 of this document to meet members of our team undertaking professional training including:Danielle Gudojc who progressed from Degree Apprentice to Graduate to Qualified Estimator throughout the programme of this project, and Nick Tapper, a Graduate Quantity Surveyor who was born at the hospital.
“I have worked for Morgan Sindall since leaving college, and have been supported through a degree apprenticeship. I worked on Morgan Sindall's tender for North Manchester General Hospital during my degree apprenticeship and have worked withing the commercial team as part of my graduate programme too. What a great experience!” Danielle Gudojc, Estimator
The Knowledge Quad is a multi-purpose training and learning facility located within a live Morgan Sindall Construction site. It delivers value by undertaking activity focusing on the four key areas of skills, education, employment and discovery.
The Knowledge Quad also creates a vital link between industry and education, ensuring that curriculums align with employer requirements and that students, trainees and apprentices at all levels are provided with the relevant knowledge and skills to help them succeed.
The facility has provided a base for Morgan Sindall and the hospital to deliver training and employment sessions.
"I’m committed to working with our site team, supply chain and local providers to create maximum benefit for the communities in North Manchester, utilising our Knowledge Quad for maximum results.” Tricia Adams, Social Value Manager
Throughout the academic year from 2022-2023, Morgan Sindall supported 12 first year T Level Students from The Manchester College. This has led to paid summer placements for two students who will also return to Morgan Sindall in their second years.
Students, including North Manchester based Mustaffa, spent 2 days onsite with Morgan Sindall based on our sites and pre-construction department, gaining real world experience to support their college studies. We recently welcomed back Ceyennah and for a paid work placement at NMGH over her summer holidays. Ceyennah will now spend her second year with Morgan Sindall, with a view to being offered degree apprentices at the completion of the T Level course.
“I’m very grateful for this opportunity and have enjoyed my time on site so far. It’s interesting to be alongside the various professions and see their roles day to day, which will put me in a good place for the future”. Ceyennah James, T Level Student
Morgan Sindall became one of the first three construction companies to be named as a Member of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter - a voluntary membership and assessment scheme that aims to raise employment standards across Greater Manchester.
The Charter defines good employment as being built around seven characteristics: secure work, flexible work, pay, engagement & voice, recruitment, people management and health & wellbeing. Membership of the Charter means that Morgan Sindall has demonstrated it is an excellent employer that uses its resources to support its staff and its local community, evidenced in a variety of ways including being a Real Living Wage employer and holding the Investors in People Platinum accreditation.
"Morgan Sindall have clearly demonstrated their commitment to good employment through their actions and created an environment where people want to come to work. They have also done excellent work around EDI." Sharon McDonnell, Good Employment Charter
Our Getting Connected event was a great success, linking 30 local people with sustainable employment opportunities.
The event resulted in the employment of local worker, Danny.
The event was held in our Knowledge Quad and linked local workers with our supply chain for upcoming roles on the project including gatemen, cleaners, labourers, groundworkers and mechanical mates.
Candidates met each sub-contractor to find out more about each opportunity, followed by mini informal interview sessions.
"Great to support the event - thanks for the invite, we were definitely connected! From this event we've found a suitable new local employee and couldn't be happier." Tony Walker, Regional Managing Director, Dalkia
Our site team conducted Continuing Professional Development (CPD) sessions for Cheetham Hill Job Centres to ensure that work coaches possess enhanced knowledge regarding the prerequisites, training, and the typical workday in the construction industry.
The primary objective of these sessions was to provide work coaches with a comprehensive understanding of Health & Safety protocols and the essential requirements for working on a construction site. This information equips them with valuable insights to apply in their interactions with job candidates. Armed with this knowledge, they can effectively guide candidates towards suitable job roles, facilitating a more informed approach in their job search and placement efforts.
"We found out that it is a very complete and organised construction site which is highly controlled regarding Health & Safety, Impressive!”
Work Coach Team from Jobcentre Plus
Students from North Ridge SEND High School have helped us to complete our 'Tree of Life' mural which celebrates inclusivity and diversity at the Knowledge Quad.
CLICK THE LINK TO VIEW OUR VIDEO
Students, including Rabab who has undertaken a long term work placement with our team, helped to paint our Knowledge Quad mural. The activity helped these students with learning difficulties to gain new skills and confidence, and give them insight to a working environment.
"I work for Morgan Sindall and I enjoy it because it's fun!”
Rabab, Supported Intern from North Ridge School
Ceyennah is one of 12 first year T Level students from Manchester College supported by Morgan Sindall. She has a clear vision to become a project manager and stood out as ‘one to watch’. To keep her motivated and show continued support following this first year, Morgan Sindall offered her a paid summer work placement based on NMGH, and have committed to supporting her second year T Level.
I’m very grateful for this opportunity and have enjoyed my time on site so far. It’s interesting to be alongside the various professions and see their roles day to day, which will put me in a good place for the future."
Click to view the Tik Tok video Ceyennah made whilst on her four month placement at the House of Sport project. Ceyennah will return to Morgan Sindall to complete her T Level and will hopefully progress to a degree apprenticeship in the future.
Mustaffa, a Blackley resident of Afgan heritage, is one of 12 first year Manchester College T-Level students working with Morgan Sindall.
Mustaffa undertook a four month work placement at North Manchester General Hospital. He spent 3 days a week studying at the college, and 2 days gaining practical experience on site.
Mustaffa wants to follow his father’s dream of becoming a structural engineer which was disrupted due to the war in Afganistan. His high school is close to the hospital so this local project was of much significance to him.
“I have lived in Blackley since I was five years old. I went to Crumpsall Lane High School which is round the corner from the hospital. Both of my parents moved here from Afghanistan 20 years ago. My dad was training to be a structural engineer in Afghanistan but due to the war he had to move to Pakistan and become a tailor until we move to the UK and open his own tailoring business. My dad wanting to work in construction when he was younger is what made me look into it as a career and so far I'm loving it.”
Jackson is getting his life back on the right track following a 9 month prison sentence and is now employed by Morgan Sindall as a labourer.
Although Jackson completed a Level 2 in Plumbing, he took a wrong turn in life and ended up in prison. Whilst in prison he undertook a a 6 week Construction course with Groundwork which helped him to secure this position with MS through Footprint Recruitment.
CLICK TO VIEW JACKSON'S VIDEO CASE STUDY
“I am grateful for the second chance that I have been given and the trust put in me by many. When I look how far I’ve come in such a short space of time is so rewarding to myself. My routeway into the Industry was down to my time in prison as I had the chance to take part in a number of taster sessions in Construction. On release from Prison I had to stay in a hostel in North Manchester and Jade still kept in contact with me. In January this year I sat my CSCS with Jade and passed! I was so glad… From here I was introduced to Morgan Sindall and Footprint Recruitment where I was employed.”
42 year old Danny is a family man who is born and bred in Blackley. Danny worked in rail for a number of years, but working away left him seeking a career which was closer to home. Morgan Sindall introduced Danny to Imtech where he is now employed as an electrical assistant.
Danny worked for a number of contractors doing logistics, and then as an electricians mate with an M&E company. After being made redundant, a nurse at NMGH made Danny aware of a Getting Connected event hosted by Morgan Sindall at the Knowledge Quad.
He attended and spoke to various sub-contractors, and Imtech offered him a job. Danny started with Imtech in May '23 working on the multi storey car park project.
“It really goes to show that it’s never too late to make a change. At 42 years old, and with no qualifications, I’ve been able to make a fresh start with career and pursue a job that I love.This really is a chance I didn’t think I would get, plus working on the North Manchester General Hospital is a pleasure. I feel that I am giving something back to the hospital where myself and my three children were born – which is an amazing feeling. I’m looking forward to progressing my career now and seeing what the future holds.”
As part of our educational partnership with North Ridge SEND High School, Rabab has undertaken a 6 month Supported Internship with Morgan Sindall's admin team.
Based with our admin/doc control onsite for one day a week, Rabab has been able to experience a working environment and gain new skills and confidence which will help her in life.
The work placement was so successful that Rabab later went onto a second placement at the hospital.
CLICK TO VIEW RABAB'S VIDEO CASE STUDY
“Rabab is one of my students. She's undertaken a supported internship with Morgan Sindall. Throughout her time so far, she has gained confidence in communication, independence, and working as part of a team. Thank you so much for providing this amazing opportunity.”
We have to date hosted two site visits for students studying for HNC’s in Construction Management from Blackpool College.
Students were provided with a training session in the Knowledge Quad, followed by a site tour by our expert team available to answer any questions. Visit one focussed on sub-structure works whilst visit two shared the progress of the super-structure.
We have supported local schools by providing interview experience for students – a valuable skill for students to practice for future college applications and jobs.
Sessions have been held with various schools including:
•Year 11 at Bury Cofe High School•Year 13 at Connell Co-op College•Year 11 at Our Lady’s RC High School
“What’s My Job?” is a career programme run by the North Manchester Business Network, a group of employers committed to supporting communities in North Manchester.
We challenged primary school children at Manchester Communications Primary Academy to think about certain jobs and the evolving world they are growing up in. It is especially important in North Manchester to show children the possibilities open to them, to raise their aspirations and help improve social mobility and equality.
We supported Manchester Communication Primary Academy at the ‘Design an Outdoor Classroom’ session.
The pupils were invited to plan, design and apply a budget for an outdoor classroom. Teachers selected a winning design which will be used to transform a storage container on the school premises into the new outdoor area.
The session was delivered to 60 Year 5 pupils - split into two classes as a mini project.
180 students from primary, high school and colleges in North Manchester attended the event held at the Manchester Youth Zone.
Speakers from a variety of professions have motivated and inspired these young people regarding choices they have available to them in the world of work. They have also been given the opportunity to get involved with ‘have a go’ activities linked to the Built Environment, Digital and Enterprise.
Our team members recently attended an event at The Manchester College promoting careers in construction to students.
Sarah Morgan, Paul Galloway & Dewi Edwards spoke to students about the vast roles and opportunities that the industry has to offer, and advised the students on how to get the most out of their college experience to build their careers
CLICK TO VIEW SARAH'S LINKED IN POST
Our team attended The Construction Academy meet the Employer Event in Manchester.
We engaged over 25 people from across Greater Manchester looking for local jobs, and opportunities. Morgan Sindall Labour desk was also in attendance along with Tricia Adams and registered each one too with some promising opportunities to follow.
Groundwork students were invited for a site visit to the project. They interacted with our Senior Site Manager during a site induction followed by a site tour. By working with the NMGH Site team, the students have had the opportunity to establish a basis of construction experience which they will go on to use in their further studies/careers.
Usman: ‘I found the sight tour quite insightful and it was great to have the opportunity to see the pre constructed building.’
We welcomed Voluntary Community and Social Enterprise sector colleagues from across Manchester to our Knowledge Quad for an informal lunch & networking session.
It was great to listen to buzz of conversation around the room demonstrating how the VCSE'S can possibly work together in the future to support the community neighbourhoods in the area.
