Building Futures in Liverpool

The construction of these schools has delivered nearly 4,000 places and were procured by Liverpool City Council through SCAPE’s Major Works framework.

Collaboration brings new opportunity

Essential to Willmott Dixon’s work in Liverpool is ensuring it support skills, opportunities and growth for people and firms in the city.

The company’s collaborative relationship with Liverpool in Work has been invaluable in delivering local outcomes. Recruitment Adviser Lynne Debbazi, Liverpool in Work's lead for the construction sector, explains:

"Willmott Dixon wanted to give apprenticeships to young people, especially those without jobs, and ensure local companies benefits from its projects. All of which reflects our aims."

In particular, Willmott Dixon wanted multi-skilled roles to ensure the apprenticeships could be sustained beyond the schools projects. The company worked closely with Liverpool in Work and a local training provider to devise an appropriate course, and Lynne ran an assessment day for candidates who also met the Willmott Dixon team.

Routeway into Construction

"Willmott Dixon is particularly keen to offer apprenticeships to young, long-term unemployed people and to provide opportunities for work experience"

After successfully recruiting two apprentices, our Major Works partner worked with Liverpool in Work to recruit even more.

By this time, Lynne had developed Routeway into Construction, a two-week 'pre-apprentice' programme for young unemployed people aged 18 – 24. "This gives them a taste of construction work and helps them gain their CSCS card, while also giving employers an idea of their capabilities”, she explained. Willmott Dixon interviewed all nine who did the course and offered apprenticeships to two of them.

"If we didn't have the relationship and shared goals with Willmott Dixon, we wouldn't have the results we are getting", said Lynne. "As well as providing jobs to unemployed people, the company is engaging with local suppliers through events we run and encouraging them to tender. This partnership is going from strength to strength; construction in Liverpool has never been so vibrant and Willmott Dixon is an important part of achieving that vibrancy!"