SOCIAL VALUE IN THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY
The construction industry is one of the strongest and most engaged sectors in terms of social value. Building social value is a great way for the industry to enhance the communities in which they operate.
Social value can include anything from training and employing the long-term unemployed and people with convictions, to boosting local small, medium and micro-businesses, reducing air pollution and improving green spaces in the local area. However, it’s also about creating a legacy for the communities that we serve as a result of the construction and improvement works undertaken. At Embankment that’s at the heart of what we do.
The Embankment development overlooks Manchester Cathedral and the historic Exchange Station and is due for completion in June 2020. With stunning views across Manchester City Centre and the River Irwell, the building will also be crowned with a roof terrace to help boost the well being of its occupiers.
The team behind 100 Embankment, which boasts an impressive 9 storeys over 166,000 sq ft of Grade A office space, focuses heavily on its corporate social responsibility.
Here’s what this development has undertaken to do for the local community in Salford and how they have helped contribute to the neighbourhood, thanks to the robust social value programme rolled out in conjunction with Salford City Council and BAM Construction.
Education and recruitment
From the outset of this project, the team have considered the wider impact that they could have on the local community. Education is a huge part of that! Designed for school and college leavers, BAM Construction offer apprenticeships in a wide variety of areas, such as construction, facilities management, plant, IT, customer service and business administration, just to name a few. The apprenticeships with BAM are an unrivalled opportunity to begin a career in the construction industry which allows individuals to earn while they learn.
Salford City Council is also striving to recruit 10% more people between the ages of 16 and 24 in to roles within the organisation and across the city, in order to nurture young talent in Salford. The team is also encouraging diversity in the workplace, particularly across the construction sector, as this remains a prominent issue at the forefront of all businesses.
Sustainability
The specification, architecture and design of 101 Embankment is BCO compliant and BREEAM Excellent, and 100 Embankment will hit the same note. As 100 heads towards completion, both buildings will meet the optimum office standards that ensure this is a healthy and sustainable environment in which to work.
State of the art cycle and shower facilities are also fitted, encouraging individuals to commute to work by bike, ultimately minimising carbon emissions and boosting the health and wellness of the building’s occupants.
The team at 100 Embankment work closely with Salford City Council who have pledged to reduce energy consumption across council facilities by 10% by the end of 2019. They have predicted this could save up to around 940 tonnes of carbon, which could have significant impact on the region’s carbon footprint.
Charity support
Salford 4 Good is one of the charities that the team at Embankment strives to support. The aim of this organisation is to support and strengthen the work of charity and voluntary groups across the City of Salford thereby helping to create a great place to live and work. Salford Loaves and Fishes is another local charity supported by BAM.
