M5 Oldbury Viaduct project partners with Crisis to employ homeless workers
BMV JV, the joint venture between BAM Nuttall, Morgan Sindall Infrastructure, and VolkerFitzpatrick, which is delivering the refurbishment of the M5 Oldbury Viaduct on behalf of Highways England, has partnered with national homelessness charity, Crisis, to support homeless people in the region into work on the project.
The range of roles available in the Infrastructure sector is wide and varied, as was discovered by the local Crisis team when they visited the site in August 2018 to discuss the work available to their clients and what would be required for them to return to the workplace.
With a target to employ 10 people as part of a pilot, the JV team has been bowled over with how well the scheme has been received, with 12 people undergoing pre-employment training and subsequently starting work on the project and with the hope of creating more opportunities in the near future. Some of the new team members have industry experience, whilst others bring expertise from other industries.
One of the people employed via the scheme, Samual Morrow, said, “I am delighted with the opportunity and the project work. This chance has given me the belief that I can truly make a contribution.”
Razwan Ali, work and training coach for Crisis, said, "Working alongside BMV JV has opened doors for our members they never thought existed, and this has enabled them to gain financial stability and security with the hope of building a career and the opportunity to progress even further."
Nigel Fullam, project director for BMV JV, said, “This is a stand-out project for so many reasons, not least because it is one of the largest concrete repair jobs by value in the UK and one of the largest scaffolding projects currently underway in Europe. We are committed to engaging with the local community, and as such I am pleased with the success we have achieved from our partnership with Crisis. To be part of changing people’s lives so completely, simply by supporting them into work, is a truly rewarding experience.”
Engagement and Diversity Specialist at Highways England, Jayne Magee, said: “We’re really pleased that this essential repair scheme offers jobs that give stability, and the opportunity to learn new skills, to people who typically face multiple barriers to work. For someone who is homeless, we recognise that not having a permanent address is a significant barrier to getting a job and that ‘no home, no job’ can feel like an impossible cycle to break free from. This is why outreach work such as this is so incredibly important; solutions are found by working with community partners, in this case Crisis. We look forward to working alongside BMV and others to support any further opportunities that demonstrate inclusion.”
