Our Align JV won the ‘STEM Contribution Award’ for their Special Education Needs programme to promote inclusion and diversity in the sector.
The ceremony, hosted by former HS2 Minister Andrew Stephenson in Parliament, recognised the achievements of individuals and businesses who are going the extra mile to ensure HS2 raises the bar for equality, diversity and inclusion.
Our Align JV team worked in collaboration with the Meadow School in Hillingdon to challenge the stereotype that the construction and engineering sectors cannot be inclusive of people with disabilities. Together, they developed a tailored SEN (Special Education Needs) work experience programme for the students.
The carefully devised six-week placement schedule allowed Year 12 and Year 13 students to experience a range of roles in the construction industry, focusing on one-to-one support and working hours suited to their needs. Now on their third cohort, the 23 male and female students who have so far taken part in the programme have shared enthusiastic feedback about their experience and the prospect of working for HS2 in the future.
The SEN programme had an equally positive impact on the workforce, creating an increased sense of belonging, collaboration and respect amongst teams and colleagues. The Align JV team also coordinated a “Disability Awareness Workshop” delivered by Meadow School to provide a deeper understanding of the various types of disabilities and how to better engage SEN students.
The judges praised the team behind the project for pushing boundaries and striving to encourage more people with a disability into the sector.
This initiative has been successful for the students, the school and for the Align JV, really bringing our inclusive values to life.
From the pioneering railways and viaducts of the Victorian era constructed by our founder, we continue to build on our legacy of infrastructure projects with the delivery of today’s essential highway and rail networks.
As we celebrate National Inclusion Week 2024, we share stories from women in construction, reflecting our commitment to creating an inclusive workplace.
This National Inclusion Week, we celebrate ParalympicsGB athletes and how they transform attitudes around disability through their achievements at the Paralympic Games.
In celebration of International Women in Engineering Day this week, we proudly recognise the exceptional contributions of our female engineers who help drive our projects forward.
Colne Valley Viaduct named winner in the 'engineering' category of the Royal Fine Art Commission Trust’s Building Beauty Awards - 2024
University of Exeter Forum won “Building Resilience – Building that have stood the test of time” at the 2024 Education Estates Awards
The Forge picked up top honours in the Innovation category, whilst 1 New Park Square (Edinburgh Park) was named winner of the Commercial Workplace Award.
Raptor cranes enhance productivity at 2 Finsbury Avenue, British Land’s iconic dual-tower project redefining Broadgate’s skyline.
Guests gathered at the lowest point of the structure’s foundations, just over 50m below ground.
Congratulations to all those who have worked on ONE Station Hill in Reading as the project completes.
