For years now, unemployment levels in the UK have been at what many people consider to be unacceptable levels. At Acorn Environmental we agree wholeheartedly with this assessment and, furthermore, we believe that the onus of responsibility rests, not just upon government agencies, but upon all those local companies who are in a position to help.
To this end, we have been working tirelessly to promote sustainable employment opportunities within the local community as we feel that it is our duty to give back wherever possible, to the people who have helped make us the success we are today.
We aim (within the limits of TUPE guidelines) to source 90% of our operatives from within local communities, and provide wherever possible, opportunities for the long term unemployed.
One of the key ways in which we do this is by working with local Housing Associations to identify and support prospective candidates. As some of those identified have addiction or other health problems, it is vitally important to us that we work closely with other advocates in order to give them the highest levels of support, while they acclimate once more to either full or part time employment.
We offer training to all new employees through the NVQ/Apprenticeship Scheme, with all full time staff trained to NVQ Level 2, and all management staff trained to NVQ Level 3. We also offer job appropriate CPD and schedule regular Tool Box Talks to help keep employees up to date on our policies and procedures.
In order to support the workforce in the long term, we have also built a strong relationship with several local schools, where we provide multiple work experience placements in the summer months, with ample opportunities for the students to feedback to both us and their school. This has helped us tremendously as it has allowed us to fine tune the experience so that pupils get the most from it.
We are also currently instigating training through our IT department, which we will be offering to local HA residents, plus vocational training, skills workshops and apprenticeships through our partnership with KEITS.
With several new initiatives in the works and some strong local partnerships being built, Acorn Environmental is making great strides towards becoming a real force for positive change. We’re extremely grateful to all those who have pledged to work with us to achieve our social goals. With your help we will continue to do our part to make our local communities stronger, healthier and more sustainable.
