Using construction as a catalyst for good
We are facing a skills shortage in the industry, and there is a responsibility for us to do the most we can to attract and recruit the next generation. However, our responsibilities also go much further than learning and employment. It's about diversity and inclusion, sustainability, and local communities too.
On every project, we always seek to give something back to the community through investment, community events and sustainability improvements, guided by our Social Value Charter written specifically for each project by all of the stakeholders.
Social Value Manager
In the last 4 years in the Midlands:
📈 30% social value ROI💑 £21.9m of social value reinvested in Midlands🎁 £28,170 in charitable donations 👷🏼♀️ 656 apprentice weeks👨🏽🏫 454 charitable volunteering hours🚸 374 school engagement hours
Fundamental
It's in the mix
Unimportant
On every project we have hosted student visits, using these as an inspirational learning experience for pupils.
From week-long work experience placements to half-day tours, CV writing workshops and mock interviews - all have been very important in bridging the skills gap by inspiring students towards a career in construction.
Pictured above is a student visit at Ravensdale Infant School & Nursery mid-construction of their new school.
Although we have worked in partnership for a number of years, in May 2019, we put pen to paper to formalise our strategic partnership with Nottingham Trent University (NTU) - learn more: here. In the last 4 years, 14 of our graduates have come from NTU. The picture below shows NTU students visiting our Bingham Primary School project.
Our students are gaining industry insights and exposure to the world of work from a leading employer, through the transfer of knowledge and hands-on experiences. Together, we are shaping the future generation.
In December 2022, our Oak Grange Primary School project team collected and donated 250 advent calendars to a local food bank, Doorways Derby.
The team also volunteered at the food bank, distributing food parcels to help support the vulnerable and those suffering from financial difficulties in the local community.
Our Market Rasen Leisure Centre team welcomed two work experience students from the nearby De Aston school. The opportunity was greatly appreciated, with the team receiving a thank you letter expressing the student’s gratitude.
A huge thank you. The students were extremely grateful for the support they received.
Our Hackwood Primary School project team donated £1,000 worth of timber to the Star Foundation. We also placed their recycling stations on site.
This charity raises funds for schools and clubs through recycling. Funds go towards paying for physical and creative activities, helping to replace some of the funds cut by central government.
The timber donated by Morgan Sindall has supported the charity to complete their new community hub, which will look to provide free martial arts, fitness lessons and music lessons and workshops through a network of schools in East Staffordshire and South Derbyshire.
Our Rosecliffe Spencer Academy, Castleward Primary School, and Bingham Primary School project teams all donated book vending machines upon project completion. These are being used to reward pupils' good behaviour, with students given tokens to claim a book and celebrate their achievements.
As well as dedicated Meet the Buyer events, we visited a number of schools to help improve pupils employability skills and raise awareness to careers in construction.
We also offered work experience placements, mentoring opportunities, and facilitated site visits to inspire the next generation and help bridge the skills gap.
With expert advice on hand on how to become a SCAPE accredited supplier with Morgan Sindall and its partners, our Meet the Buyer events helped ensure we had a tailored local supply chain to maximise spend back into the local economy.
Throughout the framework we held and attended numerous Meet the Buyer events in Stoke, Leicester, Warwickshire and Lincoln in order to strengthen our supply chain for upcoming SCAPE projects.As well as sharing details of upcoming work in the area and demonstrating the wider pipeline of construction opportunities, the events helped us to forge connections with local subcontractors, suppliers, social enterprises and jobseekers. It also offered the opportunity to discuss the high standards and requirements set out by the SCAPE framework on the delivery of projects, social value, sustainability and much more.
