This week, we launch our first-ever STRIVE Care Leaver Programme in Greater Manchester, an initiative I’m incredibly proud to lead.
At Amey, we recognise how difficult the transition out of the care system can be for young adults. Many leave care without the safety nets and support that others might take for granted. That’s why we’ve developed STRIVE, a new programme that offers care leavers meaningful pathways into our industry, while helping them realise their strengths and potential.
The name STRIVE encompasses Amey’s core people values: Shine, Thrive, and Vibrant, with the added themes of Rise and Inspire. These aren’t just words, they are the foundation of the culture we are building across our business and the mindset we want to instil in others.
STRIVE is more than a programme, it’s a commitment. Through it, we aim to leave a positive legacy in the communities where we operate. For care leavers, that means providing access to real-world experience, guidance, and, most importantly, a future they can see themselves in.
The reality is stark. Care leavers in England are over ten times more likely than their peers to be not in education, employment, or training by the age of 21. That’s not just a statistic; that’s a call to action.
Many of these young people have incredible potential but have lacked the networks and opportunities to show it. STRIVE is designed to break down those barriers. By helping care leavers understand how their unique strengths apply to roles in infrastructure and engineering, we hope to open doors that may otherwise remain closed.
After Amey signed the Care Leaver Covenant, we brought together a working group of social value leads and passionate colleagues from across the business to design something bespoke. We asked ourselves: “What would real support look like?” And STRIVE was the answer.
We’ve also taken inspiration from our Journey to Work programme, which has already helped individuals from a wide range of backgrounds into employment. STRIVE is a natural evolution of that work, one tailored to the specific needs of care leavers.
Collaboration has been essential. We’ve worked closely with Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) a fantastic charity supporting care-experienced young people to build life and employability skills. They helped identify six young adults who would benefit most from this opportunity and will be with us throughout the programme, ensuring consistent support every step of the way.
Running from 14 to 18 July, STRIVE will take place across various Amey sites in Greater Manchester. Each day, participants will spend four to five hours engaging in activities that offer real insight into our sector from meeting operational teams to exploring how our infrastructure projects come to life.
This is more than a work taster, it’s a chance for young people to experience the culture of Amey and discover how they could thrive within it.
Our commitment doesn’t end after the engagement week. Participants will work with our recruitment team to explore live job opportunities within our highways business, and where appropriate, they’ll be guaranteed an interview.
We’ll also help them build CVs and give tailored guidance on their next steps. If they do join Amey, they’ll be supported through a talent reintegration programme designed to give them the tools, networks, and confidence to succeed.
Before joining Amey, I spent over a decade in the charity sector developing programmes for care leavers. I’ve seen first-hand the challenges they face and the incredible resilience they show. I’ve also seen the difference businesses can make when they take social value seriously.
At Amey, that commitment is real. Our teams care deeply about the communities we serve, and STRIVE is proof of what we can achieve when we combine passion with purpose.
Together, I believe we can create pathways to brighter futures, starting with this pilot, and hopefully scaling it across the country.
Special thanks to Arco, one of our trusted supply chain partners, who are generously providing free PPE to support participants during the programme.