Community transformation

Our people care passionately about the communities we work in and see it as part of their role to add value.

So we give back 10% of our profits back to the communities in which we work

This ranges from

DIY SOS: We project managed and ran the site for DIY SOS – the Biggest ever Build. In 14 days we helped to renovate 8 dilapidated homes in East Manchester to create four adapted homes for veterans and their families as well as a Walking With the Wounded therapy and advice centre

Fundraising: We support local and national charities, including Dougie Mac Hospice in Stoke and Walking with the Wounded

Volunteers: We worked with Alzheimer’s Society to train its North Tyneside apprentices as Dementia Friends, and supported Genesis with its first X of MIND volunteers

Community projects: We work with our clients to determine the projects that will benefit the local community the most, from rebuilding a children’s playground in Ipswich, to organising cooking classes in London

We are working with clients to develop social value initiatives that feed into their aims and objectives: social value isn’t a nice to have, it’s a business imperative

Over the last 12 months:

Kier Housing Maintenance’s total investment (donations + spend+ value of hours) has equalled £405,039
We’ve provided work experience for 132 individuals
Additional social value created in the communities totals £896,489

Over the past financial year:

5,668 people benefitted from our social value activities
Total CR value (Kier investment + social value generated) totals £1,897,857

People

We know that our people are the future of our business.

We are investing in our people to give them the tools and training they need to effectively support residents, going above and beyond the day job to deliver real community benefits.

Examples include:

Gas Training Academy: Our Gas Training Academy provides high quality gas training courses and qualifications in domestic and commercial gas training for candidates who wish to upskills, requalify or change careers, including those leaving the Armed Forces.

Armed Forces veterans: We were one of the first companies to sign the Armed Forces Corporate Covenant in 2013, and have a recognised route into employment for service leavers, working with the Careers Transition Partnership and specialist ex-forces recruitment consultants. We offer apprenticeship and graduate programmes, providing accelerated access for early service leavers, while our Gas Training Academy resettles service veterans, many of whom go on to work with us or our supply chain.

Sustainability: We are committed to recycling the waste we generate, and finding new ways to do our jobs in a more sustainable way. We are trialling electric vehicles on contracts across the UK and if the trial is successful, a wider rollout would lead to a significant reduction in our carbon footprint.

We empower residents by offering them training opportunities with us to develop and grow transferrable skills which they can then use in their future career paths.

Genesis residents as apprentices

Nanda:

Before my apprenticeship, I was recovering from long-term illness and struggling to find work. Now, I’m training in business administration, which will really help my future career, and I’m enjoying being back in a routine; my confidence is coming back after seven years out of the workplace.
I always thought apprenticeships were for young people entering the workplace, and I’m pleased this isn’t the case! It’s given me the chance to get back to work and refresh my knowledge, and I’m already recommending apprenticeships to friends. I’m now looking forward to getting into full time work and moving onto the next stage in my career.

Ricardo:

Before my apprenticeship, I was working as a part-time warehousing assistant and looking for a more sustainable career. My current role involves administration and project management assistance, and the problem solving skills I’m learning now are going to help my future career.
I’d definitely recommend apprenticeships to those looking for a new career. I’m learning consistency and professionalism that are going to serve me well now and in future, and while I hope to join Kier or Genesis on a full-time basis after my apprenticeship, my transferrable skills will stand me in good stead if I move on.

Supporting career changes

Samantha:

I first joined the industry as a contract administrator, working my way to site supervisor.
Every day brings a fresh challenge, so I feel like I’m always learning. My job includes supervising operatives, ensuring health and safety rules are being followed, securing permits and making sure work is progressing to programme and I love the different types of work involved.
I’m now taking my NVQ level 4 in civil engineering with Kier, and I’m looking forward to progressing my career even further.