UK’s biggest road upgrade first project to commit to Armed Forces Covenant
The A14 Integrated Delivery Team, which is delivering the UK’s biggest road project on behalf of Highways England, has pledged its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant, making it the first construction project to become part of the scheme in its own right.
The A14 Integrated Delivery Team is comprised of Balfour Beatty, Skanska and Costain, all of whom have previously pledged their individual support to the Armed Forces Covenant. This unique approach to partnering with the Armed Forces Covenant by the A14 project is set to offer extensive benefits to veterans and military spouses through increased access to career opportunities in the construction sector.
This commitment will also secure wide-ranging benefits for the A14 project by providing access to a talent pool of individuals with transferable skills which are ideally suited to the construction sector.
The project currently employs 17 ex-armed forces personnel, including one reservist, in addition to five military spouses.
Mark Berg, A14 Integrated Delivery Team, Senior Project Director, commented: “We are delighted to have pledged our commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant in our capacity as the A14 Integrated Delivery Team.
“Many Armed Forces leavers and military spouses have transferable skills which are ideally suited to the construction sector. We recognise the project benefits associated with having a diverse workforce and are committed to offering a rewarding career, with opportunities for continued development.”
David Bray, Project Director for the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement scheme at Highways England, said: “There are many ways in which the A14 Cambridge to Huntingdon improvement project is leading the way and becoming the first road construction project to pledge its commitment to the Armed Forces Covenant is one of them.
“We are committed to giving equal opportunities to all and to recognising the transferrable skills and knowledge people coming from careers outside the construction sector can bring to help us deliver the biggest road scheme currently in construction in the UK.
“Our pledge to the Armed Forces Covenant demonstrates our commitment to people in the armed forces community and our recognition of the value they can add to our great team.”
Brigadier Gerhard Wheeler CBE, said: “I am delighted to be signing the covenant with the A14 Integrated Delivery Team. I commend the team for the support they have already shown to the Armed Forces family by employing 17 ex-service personnel including a reservist, and five military spouses.
“As the UK’s largest road upgrade project and the first joint venture of this kind to sign the covenant, the A14 are trailblazers for the road-building industry in relation to the Armed Forces Covenant. I hope others will follow their excellent example.”
