With COVID-19 changing the business worlds landscape and Black Lives Matter raising further awareness on the disparities in the world that affect people from different backgrounds, diversity and inclusion is a constantly growing focus point for the business world.
Ensuring diversity and inclusion within a workplace brings a balanced view on topics, allowing for new approaches that can effectively assure people from all walks of life that their views have been considered when reaching a business decision.
At Munnelly Group PLC we have been looking at how we can further diversify our workforce. Our most recent initiatives have involved working with organisations that aim to encourage service leavers to find careers within the construction industry.
When leaving the military, service leavers find it difficult searching for a career path following service. As of 2019, 7% of ex-military personnel were unemployed, in comparison to the UK overall unemployment rate which is 4.8% (2020 Nov ONS).
Working with BuildForce UK, a UK-wide employed-led initiative helping service leavers find careers in the construction industry, Munnelly Group subsidiaries have begun offering placements in range of disciplines to ex-military personnel.
The placements provide service leavers with vital experience in the construction industry, giving them the head start they need in their career to help them transition effectively back into civilian life.
To ensure we are assisting as many service leavers as possible we’ve teamed up with several organisations to support individuals get into work. One of our subsidiary companies, City Calling, has been working closely with Project RECCE, an employment assistance program for the construction industry designed by veterans for veterans.
City Calling has participated in virtual workshops with the Project RECCE team, helping veterans understand how to approach the job market during this difficult time. Through these workshops they have been able to place veterans in careers, with the most recent success story being a veteran finding his first role as a security guard on one of our sites.
In addition to assisting with the placement of veterans, Munnelly Group PLC also works with Action West London. Action West London is a charity that helps support unemployed and disadvantaged young people find job opportunities. This partnership has helped young people receive advice as well as placing young people from disadvantaged backgrounds into careers within the construction industry.
We understand that true diversity and inclusion go much further than the eye can see and vow to consistently look at our approaches to ensure we give everyone a chance within the construction and infrastructure industry.
