A construction company in Bristol is working with a social venture to provide rehabilitation to young men in prison and at risk of offending in the city.
Willmott Dixon and Key4Life are running a scheme to help the men develop skills that will boost their chances of employment within the construction sector.
The idea is to help reduce youth offending and gang warfare in the city.
The company, which employs 290 people across the South West and Wales, has already taken on five youngsters on weekly work tasters at its Ashton Rise project.
Each placement offers individuals the opportunity to work alongside Willmott Dixon’s supply chain partner G Works.
The programme is coordinated by Willmott Dixon’s building manger Ian George, who helps the individuals develop their skills and knowledge of the industry. The men are also given on-the-job mentoring.
Aaron is just one of several people to benefit from the initiative. He said: “After my initial three day work taster, I asked if I can do another few days the following week.
“The team were awesome – friendly, welcoming and really gave me an insight into how the building industry works.”
John Boughton, deputy managing director for Willmott Dixon Wales and South West , said: “As a business, we feel deeply rooted in Bristol, and hope that this new initiative will not only support the industry, but the local community too. It’s important to us to be able to give something back.”
Willmott Dixon, which won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise this year, was also named the region’s best employer in the ‘Best Companies to Work for in the South West 2019’ list.
The 75-strong list, compiled by Best Companies, recognises organisations leading the field in creating engaging and exciting workplaces.
