SEGRO plc (‘SEGRO’), the industrial property developer and manager, has been honoured for its work supporting skills and community development in the West London borough of Hillingdon by receiving the Uxbridge College Employer Champion Award.

The College selected SEGRO to become part of its community partnership recognition scheme to mark the work of organisations making a special contribution in the area.

SEGRO and the College have worked together with Hillingdon Council to design training and employment opportunities for the local community at sites where SEGRO is investing.

Initiatives between SEGRO and the College have included work experience, training schemes and guaranteed interview opportunities across two major developments in Stockley Close in West Drayton, and Riverside Way in Uxbridge, with more planned for future investment sites. The SEGRO team are also supporting unemployed adults enrolled at the College with confidence building and job readiness training sessions.

In the wider community of Uxbridge, SEGRO supported two charities over 2015, the YMCA West London and the Horn of Africa Youth Association. The charities are part of SEGRO’s London Community Fund which specifically target youth training opportunities and receive financial support.

Lorraine Collins, Executive Director of Enterprise and Development at Uxbridge College, said: “Uxbridge College is delighted to recognise SEGRO as part of its Employer Champion Award scheme. The company has shown exceptional commitment to supporting training and employment opportunities in Hillingdon, through its partnership schemes with the College and Hillingdon Council. We look forward to continuing our successful work together as more inward investment opportunities arise.”

SEGRO worked with its customers at Premier Inn and Whitbread to deliver a successful work programme at Riverside Way Uxbridge. Eight engineering students from College completed a placement with construction contractors McLaren. SEGRO also granted £5,000 towards a bespoke hospitality training course delivered by the College for unemployed adults interested in working in the new restaurant, with successful graduates assured an interview with Beefeater for one of the newly created permanent roles.

Neil Impiazzi, SEGRO’s Partnership Development Manager said: “We are delighted to have been awarded the Employer Champion award from Uxbridge College. We are especially proud of the schemes at Riverside Way where local residents had the chance to complete apprenticeships and attend specific hospitality courses with a view to full time employment. We look forward to working with the college to deliver more training and employment schemes in areas in which we operate.”

Uxbridge College works with over 1500 employers and recognises special contributions with its Employer Champion scheme. The College has currently recognised 15 companies representing different industries for their ongoing commitment to supporting the work of the College and helping our students maximise their future career opportunities.