Carillion - General Other - Yorkshire, England

Date: 08 Sep 2008

Support services and construction company Carillion has received recognition for its commitment to improving job prospects within Yorkshire. The company's Sheffield 'Get Into Construction Programme' has been shortlisted for the coveted Prince's Trust 'Partnership Innovation Award' at this year's RBS Celebrate Success awards ceremony.

The 'Get Into Construction' programme was conducted this February at Carillion's mixed use development. The Square in Sheffield and was the first of its kind in Yorkshire to take place on a live construction site. A group of 13 unemployed youngsters from varying walks of life took the two-week course to learn the basic skills required to gain employment in the construction industry. Eleven of the apprentices successfully passed a Health & Safety exam to gain a CSCS Site Operative basic entry card which will allow them to work on a construction site and two of the candidates currently work at The Square development for Carillion.

The programme was hailed as a shining example of how The Prince's Trust works with the private sector to help disadvantaged youths acquire the necessary skills to pursue a successful and fulfilling career.

The RBS Celebrate Success awards, which will be held in November, recognise young people's success in education, skills development, employment, enterprise and community in addition to praising those partners who provide the vital support to the youngsters, such as Carillion.

Carillion has beaten off stiff competition from some 40 applicants to be in the final four shortlisted for the regional award. Regional winners are then submitted to the UK finals taking place in early 2009.

Development Director for Carillion, Neil McMillan, said; "The programme was a resounding success and we are incredibly proud to have had the opportunity to assist The Prince's Trust in achieving its long-term goal to improve job prospects for the region's youngsters. It is fantastic to be shortlisted for the award and to continue raising awareness for this worthwhile venture."

The Square is an £80M mixed-use development in Castlegate at the principal gateway to Sheffield. Phases One and Two of the scheme are now complete. The first phase encompasses a 114-bed Travelodge, 400-space Q-park and 43,000sq ft of office accommodation which is occupied by the South Yorkshire Passenger Transport Executive. The latest phase which has just been completed offers a further 42,000sq ft of Grade A office accommodation over six floors.

Peter Galley with the 'Get Into Construction' apprentices.