In January 2020, Amey became an Alliance Partner with BuildForce, an industry-led programme that aims to reduce the skills gap in the construction industry by recruiting ex-military personnel. The alliance includes other UK businesses who, like Amey, have committed to the Armed Forces Covenant principle of being open to employing reservists, veterans (including the wounded, injured and sick), cadet instructors and military spouses/partners.
Last week, Amey was invited to attend a bespoke webinar which focused on their mentoring programme and how our employees could play a key part in helping Service leavers and veterans find their second careers. Twenty employees joined the webinar which included an overview of the support provided by BuildForce, a session about what being a mentor entails and some real life case studies from veterans who gave an honest account of the highs and lows of their transition into civilian life. Attendees were then encouraged to take part in a Q&A session.
Richard Castell, Amey’s Operational Relationship Manager, who was also a Colonel in the Army for 33 years, is the driving force behind the relationship, and said: “The event was delivered by Angela Forbes, Chair of BuildForce and Commercial Director of Lendlease, and Caroline Logan, the Programme Director - it was a great success. Amey already has a network of 18 active mentors who offer one-to-one support to Service leavers and veterans by helping them with CV writing and mock interviews; all with the aim of offering suitable employment positions within Amey and its supply chain. We are also in the process of recruiting a further 22 mentors over the coming months.”
Since forming the alliance with BuildForce Amey has attended recruitment events and online seminars to help Service leavers reach their full potential once leaving the Forces. It has secured interviews for six Service leavers in our Defence business, ranging from Site and Delivery Managers to Project Managers, with one returning for a second interview. We’ve also successfully secured employment for two Project Managers, with more in the pipeline.