Amey plc, one of the UK’s largest support services suppliers, today launched an Opportunity Action Plan to boost opportunities across the country.
In partnership with the Social Mobility Pledge and the former Education Secretary, Rt Hon Justine Greening, Amey has developed an ambitious plan which sets out a series of challenges to address a lack of social mobility in some of the country’s most deprived regions.
The Opportunity Action Plan will build on work that Amey is already undertaking to deliver opportunity into the heart of the communities where it operates, through its school outreach, its provision of early career opportunities including apprenticeships and the offer of second chances to those who face particular barriers.
The report also highlights Amey’s continuing commitment to delivering social value using its 15,000 strong workforce, its supply chain and significant procurement power to invest in the physical infrastructure of communities, connecting people and places to opportunity.
Michael Burgess, Chief People Officer at Amey plc, said: “Being a modern organisation with a progressive people culture, we believe that everyone should have the opportunity to be their best. We are aware that there are challenges for many, especially when faced with backgrounds of low expectation from others and barriers to opportunity in personal and professional development.
“At Amey we’re taking steps to support the Government to deliver their levelling up agenda and are proud today to be supporting the launch of this paper. I’m confident that by continuing the work we’re doing to embed social value practices, we’ll close the opportunity gap and deliver a real change to those living in local communities.”
Justine Greening added: “Infrastructure underpins the physical fabric of our day to day lives and is fundamental to the sustainability and well-being of our communities. It can bring opportunity to areas which are often the furthest away from a level playing field and where the impact of the pandemic has been felt the most.
“As a major infrastructure provider that works in a wide range of diverse sectors across most of the UK, Amey is in a key position to lead on the levelling up agenda and influence the social impact that businesses can bring to their customers, colleagues and communities. Society now expects higher standards from the organisations they work for or do business with and there is increasing evidence that having a clear purpose makes good business sense and delivers better outcomes.
“Amey has a clear sense of what it wants to achieve and is already providing strategic solutions that make a measurable difference, with inclusivity at the heart of its business. With the launch of its Opportunity Action Plan, it is demonstrating its commitment to go even further as part of a wider effort to level up the country and close the opportunity gap.”
View the full Opportunity Action plan, here.