At Match My Project, we celebrate businesses that step up to create meaningful jobs and training opportunities in their communities – and Ridge & Partners is a shining example of this commitment in action.
Ridge & Partners, a Built Environment Consultancy, recently partnered with the Greater Manchester Youth Network (GMYN) through Match My Project to deliver their flagship Carbon Literacy Training programme: Ridge Green Futures.
This partnership has enabled GMYN to champion their Build Your Future programme which supports Stockport-based young people who are or have been in care or are disabled/neurodivergent to access introductory opportunities in construction.
Ridge’s Green Futures programme promotes carbon literacy, empowering individuals to engage in the net zero transition and take action within their local communities to combat climate change.
Ridge invited GMYN to their head offices in Manchester for a World of Work visit with five of their young people. During the visit, they completed Ridge’s Green Futures certificate, which explores the effects of climate change on the built environment.
The second half of the workshop focused on Green Careers.
This included what a career in the green space could look like and entry routes. Participants also took part in a Q&A with two members of Ridge’s Sustainability Team. The young people quizzed them on their career journeys and the types of activities they get up to in their roles.
A real highlight for the young people was enjoying the skyline of Manchester from the 9th floor of Ridge’s building. They spent some time looking at all of the new developments springing up across the city and got to appreciate Manchester’s rich architecture from this unique viewpoint.
A young attendee commended Ridge’s Green Future programme, saying, “It was interesting to hear how they are trying to use less energy and save resources in building, I didn’t know there would be jobs like that in construction.”
Laura Perry, Social Value Project Consultant at Ridge, who delivered the programme, had this to say:
We were delighted to partner with Greater Manchester Youth Network as part of their Work Readiness Programme to host our Flagship Ridge Green Futures workshop for young people from Stockport. After listing our offer on Match My Project and matching with Greater Manchester Youth Network, I worked closely with Julia Hannam [Programme Coordinator at GMYN] to tailor the programme so it could be of maximum benefit to the participants.
Ridge received some impressive feedback about the programme:
- 6 out of the 7 attendees reported at least a one-point increase in their carbon literacy as a result of the workshop
- Two attendees are considering a career within the sustainability field after being presented with green career opportunities and participating in the Q&A with Ridge’s Sustainability Team
One workshop, one opportunity, one moment of inspiration can spark a career of purpose.
This success story between Ridge and GMYN shows how your organisation’s expertise can shape tomorrow’s talent pipeline.
Businesses: don’t wait to make a difference. Post your jobs and training opportunities on Pathways To Work today and help build the workforce of tomorrow.
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