Balfour Beatty offers work placements for disadvantaged young people

Balfour Beatty Living Places has partnered with Groundwork Northamptonshire, a charity which delivers community-based projects in disadvantaged areas, to provide young people with work experience placements and future employment opportunities.

Through the partnership, Balfour Beatty Living Places will provide £40,000 to fund four 28-week paid placements at Groundwork Northamptonshire’s community garden project in Kettering.

The candidates will then embark on a four-week paid placement on Balfour Beatty Living Places’ Northamptonshire PFI contract, learning how to install and maintain street lighting assets, while also gaining skills in risk control, safety culture and team work on local highway networks.

Following the placements, two candidates will then be offered an apprenticeship with Balfour Beatty Living Places and will be supported as they undertake highway electrical apprenticeship courses.

The partnership follows a pilot in 2022, which saw Balfour Beatty Living Places welcome one trainee street lighting operative onto its Northamptonshire street lighting contract.

The company intends to continue seeking opportunities to provide young people from disadvantaged backgrounds with early career opportunities across the UK.

Steve Helliwell, managing director of Balfour Beatty Living Places, said: “The potential of this partnership is really exciting. By working with Groundwork Northamptonshire, we have a real and meaningful opportunity to create lasting, positive change within these communities, whilst simultaneously addressing the skills shortage our industry is currently facing. 

“By investing in the future and providing opportunities for young individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds, we will build a stronger, more resilient workforce and empower the next generation of engineers and construction professionals to excel in practical skills.”