Member Article

Yorkshire firm engineering employment opportunities

A Leeds based civil engineering company is tackling the construction skills shortage head on.

Howard Civil Engineering Ltd has provided in excess of 24 training and employment opportunities for people in Sheffield. Two have been apprenticeship roles, with 22 recruited to deliver groundwork and machine operations, respectively.

Testament to its commitment to training and employment, it has been awarded sub-contractor of the quarter, by Sheffield Housing Company (SHC) for the work delivered across its sites, which have been built by Keepmoat.

SHC is Sheffield City Council’s joint venture development company with private developer and top 10 housebuilder Keepmoat and Great Places Housing. Established in 2011 it has an ambitious target of building 2,300 properties on a total of 23 sites by the end of 2026.

Every three months, Sheffield City Council monitors the performance of SHC’s subcontractors – with a focus on the employment and training opportunities they provide. These could be work placements, apprenticeships, training and educational programmes and the number of jobs created.

Michael Howard, Director of Howard Civils Engineering Ltd, said: “We are proud to receive recognition from SHC, Keepmoat and Sheffield City Council, for our dedication to members of the local community.

“Howard Civil Engineering place engaging and supporting the communities we work within as one of our key aims and objectives. As a socially responsible business we recognise that we have the ability to create positive change through our actions. Providing employment opportunities, training and skills development to people within the areas we work is just one of the ways we aim to leave a positive impact.”

The award was presented at Sheffield Housing Company’s Pennine Village development, located two miles from Sheffield city centre, by SHC’s Development Manager, Howard Young.

He said: “Howard Civil Engineering Ltd is a great example of a business that is investing in the region by offering opportunities for individuals to up skill, train and gain employment.”

Howard Civil Engineering is one of the North’s leading civil engineering companies. A total of 25 out of 26 Howard Civil Engineering Ltd employees working at SHC’s Pennie Village and Manor 12 and 13 developments live in Sheffield.

Councillor Douglas Johnson, Chair of the Housing Policy Committee at Sheffield City Council, said: “In a time when the industry as a whole is approaching nationwide labour shortages, it’s never been more crucial to educate and inform young people of the benefits and rewards a career in construction can offer.

“This is why SHC and Sheffield City Council put so much value in these initiatives and it’s great to see so many companies in our supply chain understand that supporting young people is key to sustained growth and profitability – and that they understand why these outcomes underpin our vision and philosophy.

“SHC is committed to supporting organisations, communities and individuals within the city. To date, working with its partnering organisations, it has delivered 75 apprenticeships and contributed over £50,000 to local community groups, schools and good causes.”

*Photo caption: (L-R) back row are: Social Value Manager at Keepmoat, Siobhan Copper; Site Manager at Pennine Village, Tom Spencer; and Howard Civil Engineering’s Site Manager, Adam Cone. (L-R) middle are: Project Support and Development Officer at Sheffield City Council, Nichola Burkinshaw; Development Manager with Sheffield Housing Company (SHC), Howard Young and Howard Civil Engineering’s Ewan Mason. From of picture: left of the banner is Keepmoat’s Charlotte Copper, and right, is Howard Civil Engineering’s, Sophie Henderson.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Paul Dobbie .