Community support wins award
The Utility Week Awards celebrate and reward the hard work and commitment of everyone in the utilities industry. This year’s ceremony, on Monday 8 February, was a virtual celebration of companies, teams and individuals keeping the country’s essential services running through the challenges of 2020. The Hinkley Connection Project was named Community Investor of the Year.
Working with local authorities and communities impacted by its construction, the Hinkley Connection Project’s Engineering Positive Futures initiative focuses on inspiring pupils through Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM) education, supporting adults back into paid work and providing grants for a range of local community, charity and environmental projects.
So far, the Hinkley Connection Project has:
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supported 213,663 young people, including 41,469 disadvantaged pupils through its STEM education fund
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contributed over £520,000 for community, charity and environmental projects
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delivered over £400,000 worth of training for almost 200 local individuals struggling to find sustainable employment – 49% of trainees have secured employment
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reinvested over £3 million in the community by hiring local contractors to work on the project.
We’re helping to break down socio-economic boundaries and leave a lasting legacy for the communities we are working in.
James Goode, Project Director, said: “As a vital infrastructure project and a key part of the transition to net zero, the Hinkley Connection is a platform to inspire the next generation of engineers. We’re helping to break down socio-economic boundaries and leave a lasting legacy for the communities we are working in.
“We’re incredibly proud to be recognised in this way. The award win reflects the significant impact that the programme has already had on helping locals get into employment, engaging school children in STEM subjects and giving back through our grant programme.”
