The Heathrow Construction Academy has been established to provide employment and training opportunities for people living in the five boroughs around the airport. Balfour Beatty and its supply chain on the T2B project have been integral in its creation and operation.

In 2010, BAA established the Heathrow Sustainability Board Partnership.  Led by a Board of CEOs from 16 companies operating at Heathrow, including its major supply chain partners of which Mike Peasland the Chief Executive of Balfour Beatty Construction Services UK, is a member. The board Partnership focuses on improving Heathrow’s sustainability performance across a range of sustainability issues and Balfour Beatty leads the workstream on employment sustainability, with Framework Director Steve O’Sullivan as the chair.

Working with companies from all economic sectors within Heathrow, the Academy aims to deliver more sustainable employment through the promotion of training and upskilling employment opportunities for unemployed people living in Heathrow’s five host local boroughs; Hillingdon, Hounslow, Ealing, Slough and Spelthorne .

Recognising that the volume of construction activity under way on the Eastern Campus could have a significant impact on sustainable employment, a steering group was established for a pilot Heathrow Construction Academy which would pave the way for a longer term model. Balfour Beatty HR Director – Projects, Armar Johnston took a leading role in the group alongside BAA Ombudsman Chris Howe. Ellie Morley, a consultant from FSquared, who has worked with Balfour Beatty on the London 2012 Olympic projects and the East London Line helped to develop the concept, which was delivered by local training providers Urban Futures and work place coordinator Max Petrucci of Mace Sustain, with support from local stakeholders and Jobcentre Plus.

Following the success of the Heathrow Retail Academy,  The Pilot Construction Academy followed a similar model; working with the Job Centre Plus and local colleges to take on monthly cohorts of unemployed people,  providing preparation for work and practical training, setting up interviews with employers and providing in-work support for career progression. 

The training consisted of two half day modules on Working at an Airport and Working on a Construction Site, followed by a five day practical training session at the Colnbrook Logistics Centre with the help of our supply chain partner Byrne Bros. The module covers basic site skills and prepares candidates for the CSCS safety test so they can get a basic CSCS card and access the site.

Armar Johnston engaged with the Tier 2 suppliers early in the process to explain the scheme and solicit their support in offering work experience and longer term employment opportunities to the trainees.

Three groups of trainees have started since April and over 25 people have now gained employment, with several people still in the interview process.   The T2B supply chain has been proactive in taking part and employing trainees on the site. Byrne Bros, McGee and Munnellys in particular have been active and new members of the supply chain have also pledged their future support.

The next stage of the academy is to give it a permanent footing by developing partnerships with training providers and colleges to produce further upskilling opportunities for the Heathrow construction workforce.