Governance
Equality and Diversity
All Chelsfield projects are designed to capture the benefits that accrue from new development and ensure they are shared throughout the local community.
At a company level Chelsfield has a strict policy promoting Equality and Diversity and ensuring all job applicants receive fair and equal treatment. Regardless of sex, marital status, ethnic or national origin, age or disability, religion or sexual orientation.
At a project level Chelsfield will ensure their aspirations for benefits to local people are carried out by the main contractor and that the selected contracting partner is well placed to offer long term solutions to local people. It is the long term vision and effective monitoring, and evaluation which is essential in stimulating economic activity beyond the construction phase. All Chelsfield projects have a Training and Employment Strategy at their core, comprising of inter-related programmes including:
- Improving basic numeracy and literacy
- Specific training in the skills needed for work during the construction and refurbishment phases
- Assistance in defining employment opportunities and placing suitable candidates
- Further on-the-job skills improvement training
- Training and placing of local residents in continuing employment on jobs needed for the future sustainability of the community
Most of the current and past Chelsfield projects involve partnering with local training providers, business in the community groups and community champions. It is important that whilst broad aspirations are met, ensuring employment opportunity for those seeking work, both in construction and in office, retail and community work that specific local needs are also met. For example, Step into Construction is an initiative managed by the CITB whose goals are to encourage ethnic minorities into construction through utilising translators and aiming recruitment at hard to reach communities.