Community Engagement

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

Our involvement with the community

We are involved in a range of community initiatives and projects as detailed below. The main focus of our outreach work currently focuses on supporting skills development across the construction sector, spanning; interview practice in schools, acting as Enterprise advisors, refining and monitoring the professional qualification courses offered locally and providing input at strategic meetings to help influence and guide government in the skills development agenda for the UK.

Work with East Sussex College Group

This group meet regularly to offer feedback and improvements to the construction course requirements and apprenticeship courses on offer. We also support this work by inviting our sub-contractors to breakfast meetings to discuss requirements across a range of trades.

Enterprise Advisor role and interview practice in schools

Working with Hailsham Community College, Ratton Academy and The Causeway School, to support the enterprise initiatives being run. Offering real life business input to shape ideas and to offer mentoring to bring ideas to reality.

Organising local Business Breakfasts

Offering networking opportunities to other local small/medium sized businesses. Topics discussed range from developing staff, attracting new projects and clients, to sharing best practice. Two sessions per year.

Work experience for local young people

Working with Causeway and Hailsham Community College we offer 1 week of work experience for 1-2 students per year. This gives them the insight into the industry and to help shape career aspirations.

What our partners say

“GM Monk are committed to supporting the work of Skills East Sussex to promote employment and skills in the county. Scott Monk is a member of the Skills East Sussex Construction task group, working with a range of businesses, colleges, providers and stakeholders to improve the county’s skills pipeline in the construction sector. Scott is an Enterprise Adviser, working strategically with the senior leadership of a local secondary school to improve their careers and enterprise provision. And GM Monk are signed up as an Industry Champion, taking part in a number of events and activities to promote the sector, including ‘Open Doors’ which provides young people with the opportunity to visit employers’ premises, experience an active workplace and learn more about different industries and career pathways”.

Caroline Bragg, Employability and Skills Strategy Manager, East Sussex County Council

Presentation at National Apprentice Week

Working with Eastbourne Borough Council to promote apprenticeships in the local area.

Supporting the Heart Beat Campaign

G M Monk are proud to continue to support the Eastbourne Heart Beat Campaign. So far we have installed seven Public Access Defibrillators (PADs) free of charge to support the campaign.

Careers Days

Offering workshops in local schools/academies to discuss roles in construction industry and the various routes towards these. Also included presentation to Careers Advisors to ensure they had up to date information on local businesses offering apprenticeship programmes.

Skills East Sussex

Task group to promote employment and skills in the county.