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.”
Since its formation, SHC has completed almost 1,150 homes across the city, around 80% of which have been sold to first time buyers and families. It has created 75 apprenticeships, over 800 jobs and spent more than £80 million with local supply businesses.
Sheffield City Council works to create successful neighbourhoods across the city — places where people choose to live, where they’re safe, have good housing, schools, and services. It also aims to ensure all development is sustainable and of the highest design quality.
Keepmoat is a top 10 UK home builder and leading partnership focussed home builder providing high quality, affordable homes across the country.
Committed to a multi-tenure strategy we partner with local authorities and registered providers to deliver much needed new homes for sale, affordable rent, and the private rental sector. We are the largest delivery partner of Homes England and have delivered thousands of new homes in partnership with them since 2009.
Over 70 per-cent of our customers are first-time buyers, and the average selling price of a Keepmoat home is £179,000.
We deliver more than just new homes; we transform communities and improve the lives of local people. We have a national presence combined with local knowledge and expertise across the whole housing lifecycle – from finance, design, and planning, to developing and building.
Great Places Housing Group has almost 25,000 homes in more than 30 local authority areas. We invested £52m into building homes, with 213 homes completed and 698 on site in 2019/20, as well as running a wide range of projects and initiatives to benefit our customers and their communities.
