Kier is constructing a £59m seismically designed reinforced concrete structure which will act as an annex to an existing facility. Kier has an extensive history of delivering projects at Sellafield and since 1981 it has completed in excess of 70 projects valued at £350m.
"I just wanted to say what an awesome job you have done at Lowther Street Hostel; it looks so much brighter. We have enjoyed having the team here and really appreciate their efforts in helping us with skills, resource and time, which will help the most vulnerable in society."
Kerry Maxwell OBE, chief executive officer, Whitehaven Trust.
As part of the project in Cumbria, Kier was set challenging social impact targets by the Programme and Project Partners (PPP), the organisation who operates Sellafield power plant and manage the construction works on behalf of Sellafield Limited.
The targets are designed to ensure that contractors working on the power plant decommissioning project contribute towards local employment, education and training needs, while supporting charities through donations of time and labour.
We upskilled the workforce for in-demand trades by establishing partnerships with local colleges and have mentored young learners through apprenticeships and NVQs.
Work placement opportunities have been provided to 19 young learners, in collaboration with our sub-contractors and the team have also visited schools to deliver more than 90 hours of workshops and mock interviews, reaching 450 children.
Our colleagues donated 300 hours of time and labour, refurbishing a building used by AgeUK in Cockermouth, enabling the site to be used as a safe space for the elderly.
In addition, our team members donated 275 hours of time to deliver a makeover at Lowther Street Hostel in Whitehaven, which houses young people aged between 16 and 24 years. The team decorated, assembled furniture, installed a new outdoor shelter, removed litter and cleaned up the garden in support of Kier’s charity partner End Youth Homelessness.
The team exceeded their first year of social impact targets, set by the PPP and won a social impact award for the positive effect it has had in the local area, benefitting young learners, those who have struggled to find employment and vulnerable people reliant on vital services.