Carillion is helping to build a career path for young people and stimulate economic growth by championing the value of apprenticeships. It has become the construction sector's largest apprenticeships provider and supports the UK government's push to develop more structured, vocational routes to employment.
The company has 13 apprentice training centres across the country and works with schools and not-for-profit organisations to recruit young people from diverse social backgrounds, prioritising those facing distinct challenges.
Carillion employs the apprentices, placing them with trusted suppliers or Carillion-owned businesses, where they receive solid on-the-job training. Additional support is provided to people undertaking technically challenging apprenticeship qualifications.
More than 1,000 young people benefited from apprenticeships and NVQs delivered by Carillion in 2013, with 86% going on to find employment or pursue further education. The company celebrated its 500th modern apprenticeship in Scotland, created the first Level 2 rail engineering apprenticeship and received the prestigious 'Good' rating for its overall apprenticeship scheme from the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted).
Among the high profile figures who visited Carillion to support its apprenticeship work in 2013 were the prime minister, David Cameron, and a transport minister, Stephen Hammond.
Equipping the nation's construction workforce with skills and training is central to Carillion's aims to build a successful business, support the communities in which it operates and provide better prospects for its people.
The company plans to continue working at the forefront of apprenticeships by engaging with its supply chain to identify skills shortages and develop effective training solutions.
Katharine Earley is a journalist and copywriter, specialising in sustainability.
The Guardian Sustainable Business Sustainability Case Studies contain articles on all the initiatives that met the criteria for the GSB Awards.
