Success of schools' employment skills workshop earns award 

Talented pupils from Baldock's Knights Templar School take part in next generation careers skills programme.

A skills programme that provided valuable work insight for teenagers in schools across Hertfordshire and Bedfordshire has earned an award for those who supported its delivery. 

Pupils from The Knights Templar School in Baldock took part in the hub challenge as part of an interactive four-day workshop organised by construction and fit-out specialists Willmott Dixon.  

The company's design team, led by Sarah Frith, has been awarded the Building Lives award for delivering high impact social value at the company's regional annual Creating Excellence awards. 

Natalie Sidey, social value manager, nominated the team and said: "They were so happy to be involved in the hub challenge, which was a huge success. It really could not have happened without their help in creating materials and project-based work for the students. 

"They supported each day of the challenge and it's a real mark of the leadership from Sarah, who is driving a change in her team to become so involved, through real encouragement and, in turn, the design team encourage each other which is brilliant to see."  

Other students from schools in our area included Barclay Academy and The Saint John Henry Newman Catholic School (Stevenage); The Priory School and Hitchin Boys' School (Hitchin); Etonbury Academy (Arlesey); Luton Sixth Form College (Luton); Monk's Walk School (Welwyn Garden City); and Oaklands College (St Albans).

In presenting the award, Chris Tredget, managing director for London and East, said: "It is a key part of the ethos at Willmott Dixon, through our Now or Never sustainability strategy, that we help build better lives.  

Each year employees are asked to nominate their colleagues with the winners being chosen by the London and East board of directors. The winners go forward to the company's national Building on Better Awards in 2024. 

For further information, visit willmottdixon.co.uk