Investing in Local Talent: Our Commitment to Community Employment

At Bouygues UK, we focus on developments that do more than just enhance the built environment; our schemes also contribute directly to the social fabric of the community. We are proud of our commitment to building communities up, both socially and economically. A key aspect of this is our dedication to recruiting local talent and enhancing employment prospects in the area within which we work. At Wornington Green, our scheme for Peabody just off Ladbroke Grove, our efforts to employ locally serve as a prime example; here, our social value team has worked hard to ensure that residents living around the estate have opportunities to engage with and contribute to the progress of the project.

As a result of these efforts, we are proud to have welcomed five new starters to Bouygues UK, all of whom are local hires and began their journey with us on work experience placements. These individuals living locally to Wornington Green started out working on the project itself but have now been integrated into the wider Bouygues UK team. The fresh energy and skills they have already brought to the company embodies the importance of capitalising on the chance to promote pathways into the construction industry for local residents. We spoke to three of the new starters about their journey from acquiring and completing work experience on site at Wornington Green to full time employment within the business.

Diego’s Journey

One example of our social value team’s success in procuring local talent is Diego, who joined Bouygues UK after completing a month-long work experience programme in June at our head office following 4 months experience on site at Wornington Green. Diego’s journey with us began when he enrolled at Earl’s Court Skills Centre to obtain his CSCS card. Here, he recalls meeting Suzi Mattos, Social Value Advisor at Wornington Green, who would later play a pivotal role in his career development. Initially, Diego was unable to secure a labouring position with Bouygues UK, but Suzi helped his wife, an architect from Colombia, to gain work experience with the company.

Diego’s own opportunity came when a subcontractor at Wornington Green needed labourers. He worked with them for four months, before a chance conversation with Suzi led to his breakthrough.

Reflecting on his experience, Diego said,

I was taught how Bouygues UK operates, what they expect from employees, and how we work together. It was an amazing opportunity to learn, and by the end of June, I was offered a role as an Assistant Document Controller.

For Diego, Bouygues UK has provided not only a job but a foundation from which he can build his own career path with our support:

Every day is a new learning experience, and I appreciate how everyone here is open to helping me grow. Bouygues UK is a home for each employee. They give you tools to grow, both personally and professionally.

Ipek’s Experience

Another success story comes from Ipek, a Procurement Officer who first engaged with Bouygues UK through a two-week work experience programme in April. For Ipek, who has 20 years of international engineering experience, finding a job in the UK had been challenging, but at the Women in Construction Organisation’s Women’s Day Event in March, Ipek was introduced to Suzi at Bouygues UK.

Ipek is optimistic about her future within Bouygues UK, stating,

I expect to grow my role over time, building on my past experiences.

For Ipek, Bouygues UK’s commitment to local employment and offering equal opportunities has been crucial to her journey.

Kullathida’s Story

Bouygues UK also recognises the importance of nurturing talent through apprenticeship schemes, which is evident in the story of Kullathida, who joined the company on an apprenticeship after completing a two-week work experience programme with us back in December 2022.

Kullathida shared,

I was offered a Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship programme shortly after my work experience.

Noting that the company’s focus on delivering high-quality projects extends to dedication to supporting our employees’ growth, she said:

What I like about Bouygues UK is that they value employee development and well-being.

We are proud of all we have achieved at Wornington Green by not only delivering a high-quality residential development but also contributing to the social fabric of the community, providing numerous career opportunities for local residents.

Wornington Green is just one example of our successful social value efforts. Whether it’s through apprenticeships, work experience programmes, or professional development opportunities, Bouygues UK remains dedicated to supporting the communities we serve by opening doors for the next generation of construction professionals.