Wates Construction, the contractor delivering MEPC’s Wellington Place in Leeds, is set to grow its team on site at the flagship commercial development with the roll out of a pilot employment scheme to help tackle homelessness.
The announcement follows the launch of Wates and MEPC’s joint employment initiative at Wellington Place. This has seen the two organisations collaborate with Engage Leeds to provide employment for some of society’s most vulnerable and at-risk individuals.
Earlier this year, the Wates team welcomed two new recruits to the site team through Engage Leeds and is now offering full time site-based work to a third individual who has no permanent abode or who is at risk of losing their home.
Paul Dodsworth, Business Unit Director, Wates Construction North East & North West, commented: “Rising homelessness is a very serious issue and one that we are keen to help address. When we launched our collaboration with MEPC and Engage Leeds, we did so with a determination to use our presence in Leeds to create opportunities for some of society’s most vulnerable people.
“Since we welcomed our new recruits earlier this year they have become valued members of our project team at Wellington Place and I very much look forward to seeing their careers flourish with us. We are now looking for a further new addition to our team in Leeds to build on the success we have so far seen through this initiative.”
Paul Pavia, Head of Development at MEPC, added: “We’re proud to be able to positively impact the lives of others through the employment scheme at Wellington Place, and we hope that our work alongside Wates and Engage Leeds will help set an example to other businesses in the region. It’s fantastic to be able to use our work for good, raising awareness of the issues facing people in our local community.”
Brent Riley, Employment & Engagement Worker, Engage Leeds, said: Engage Leeds are delighted to be part of a project which enables people to improve their life chances through employment in a supported environment. Employment brings much more than financial gains, improved self-esteem and mental health are two positives both new employees have noted. We look forward to supporting more people into employment at Wellington Place working alongside Wates and MEPC. “
Wates Construction is currently on site building the latest phase of MEPC’s Wellington Place, which includes building 7 and 8, which is set to become a new Government hub for the region and building 4 where work commenced last month.
