Bouygues UK Recruits London Adults for Careers in Construction

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH THE NATIONAL CONSTRUCTION COLLEGE, CONSTRUCTION EMPLOYER ACCORD AND GTS

Five previously unemployed adults from the London boroughs of Brent, Waltham Forest and Westminster have been recruited by construction company Bouygues UK for permanent employment on the company's construction sites across London.

The young adults were selected for employment after a rigorous recruitment process in partnership with the employment organisations of the three London boroughs concerned; Brent into Work, Westminster Works and the Waltham Forest Job Centre.

The recruitment process began in October 2009 when 12 potential recruits were selected from the three London boroughs to commence a six week training programme to assess their practical skills and suitability for construction work. The programme comprised Employability, Health and Safety Training and Formwork Training with the National Construction College, Bouygues-specific formwork training and a three week trial on a Bouygues UK construction site.

At the end of the training period, the five successful applicants were offered a permanent role with GTS, Bouygues UK's main partner labour agency, to continue their training and development on a Bouygues UK construction site. Each employee has been assigned a Bouygues UK mentor to assist them with day to day practicalities and to discuss their ongoing and future aspirations.

The scheme, to recruit and train unemployed adults from the communities in which Bouygues UK operates, is the first to be trialled by the company and looks set to continue as a result of its success to date.

Mark Walsh (20 years old), from Westminster, has just begun his new role at Pimlico Academy School in Westminster where Bouygues UK is undertaking a complete rebuild as part of the government's Building Schools for the Future (BSF) programme. The new building aims to put the academy at the heart of the community and, once complete, will provide state of the art sports and performing arts facilities and a new community library and adult education centre.

Speaking of his experience to date, Mark says:

”Being recruited as a trainee has been a brilliant experience so far and already I've learnt so many skills. The initial six week training programme was a great introduction to construction and I've received consistent support since I started work on site. It's been a great opportunity to pursue a career in an industry that offers so many different roles.”