Member Article

Exhibition Centre Liverpool to create legacy of jobs and skills

ISG, the company responsible for building the new £66 million Exhibition Centre Liverpool and four star hotel on the city’s waterfront, has signalled its intent to use the project as a springboard to creating a long-lasting employment and skills training legacy, with the launch of its innovative Social Investment Group.

The international construction services company, which has a permanent office base in Liverpool, sees the iconic project as a catalyst for the creation of new training and employment opportunities in the city.

To ensure the project delivers that potential, the company has created the Social Investment Group, bringing together key stakeholders and ISG’s supply chain partners, each agreeing to make a formal commitment to the future prosperity of Liverpool.

The ground breaking approach to leveraging wider social value from commercial investment has the backing of key regional partners. Liverpool in Work, a Liverpool City Council agency that helps organisations find the right employees and supports local people in accessing suitable jobs and training and Fusion 21, a social enterprise that delivers training and employment initiatives are involved alongside The City of Liverpool College, the city’s leading supplier of apprenticeship training.

The partners and project stakeholders gathered on site to sign the ‘Exhibition Centre Liverpool Project Charter’ and officially launch the Social Investment Group, which is open up to the wider business community, training providers and associated agencies.

The Charter will be permanently displayed at the Exhibition Centre Liverpool site as a lasting reminder of the commitment that the delivery partners have made, which includes:

• Employing local businesses and people to work on the scheme

• Providing apprenticeship and training opportunities for local people

• Assisting individuals in progressing into local employment

• Engaging with local educational institutions

• Supporting local community groups and charities

Speaking at the launch of the Social Investment Group, Alan McCarthy-Wyper, managing director of ISG’s Construction business, commented: “From the very outset, we recognised the major potential for this key regional development to have a positive and long-lasting impact on the lives and aspirations of people living within the local community.

“By initiating this group, we have brought together a broad spectrum of partners focused on providing life-changing opportunities to individuals, providing that first step on the ladder towards realising ambitions.

“We firmly believe that the Exhibition Centre Liverpool project provides the catalyst for training and sustainable job creation, providing an iconic legacy within Liverpool’s built environment as well as making a significant contribution to driving permanent and positive social change.”

Councillor Nick Small, Liverpool City Council’s Cabinet member for employment and skills, added: “This project will create a fantastic new facility that will deliver jobs and economic growth for Liverpool.

“It is really encouraging to see all of the partners involved coming together to formally commit to make sure that businesses and residents in Liverpool get the opportunity to benefit from the opportunities that it brings. It is part of our commitment to making sure that local projects benefit local people.”

Exhibition Centre Liverpool will form part of ACC Liverpool, driving the city to become the UK’s most exciting destination for consumer and trade exhibitions; global conferences; concerts and international sporting events.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Simon Malia .