Kier Transportation has achieved a construction and infrastructure industry first by being awarded Gold accreditation by the Social Value Quality Mark CIC. It is also only the second organisation in the UK to achieve the standard. It recognises the scale of the organisation’s impact on tackling the skills gap, increasing diversity and embedding the highest values-led standards.
To achieve Gold, the Transportation division underwent a thorough external audit, conducted by Social Value Quality Mark CIC. A key part of the process involved looking across Kier Transportation to evaluate its commitment to local spend, sustainable procurement, skills development and ethical decision-making.
Based on the 12 months of evidence provided, the awarding panel were particularly impressed by Kier Transportation’s industry-leading approach to equality and diversity, which has been embraced throughout all levels of the organisation. By encouraging greater diversity, the Transportation business aims to reach an untapped pool of talent at a time when the construction industry is experiencing a skills shortage. According to CITB, a further 225,000 workers will be required to meet demand by 2027.
Describing the approach as ‘exemplary’, the auditor noted the commitment of the senior leadership team in each undertaking an intensive training programme on Diversity and Inclusion. Kier Transportation now also has 63 employee champions tasked with identifying and removing barriers to equality based on age, race, ethnicity, gender and sexuality.
The panel also commended the company’s excellent and innovative approach to supply chain engagement and collaboration, in addition to colleagues’ passionate support of community volunteering and initiatives.
Over the last 12 months, Kier Transportation has:
- Provided over 10,000 apprentice weeks.
- Delivered over 81,000 hours of upskill training for its employees.
- Raised or donated over £40,000 to charities and communities.
"I am delighted that we have achieved the Social Value Quality Mark Gold level of accreditation. This accolade provides recognition in respect to Kier’s positive journey over the last couple of years to truly embed social value in our business. We’ve fostered an approach to diversity and inclusion that prioritises our people, whilst also sharing best practice with our supply chain to support them on their journey.
“I’m eager and excited to continue moving forwards on this journey, seeing how we can maximise social impact for the communities we work within."
Donna Howard, head of social sustainability at Kier Transportation
"It gives us great pleasure to award Kier Transportation with Gold - a standard that recognises the very highest levels of transparency, ethics and sustainability through its everyday operations. The impact created is truly impressive and will generate a significant social legacy for future generations.
"Kier Transportation intrinsically links its products and services to its role in supporting an inclusive society. This is demonstrated by the organisation's exemplary approach to diversity and inclusion. As well as being genuinely industry leading, it will support the business and the industry to attract and retain the future skills it needs."
Richard Dickins, managing director of Social Value Quality Mark CIC
This award is the most recent addition to Kier Transportation’s collection of social sustainability awards, which includes:
- Level 3 Disability Confident Leader
- #1 placement on the National Centre for Diversity’s (NCFD) Top 100 Most Inclusive Employers 2023 index
- NCFD Leaders in Diversity and Masters in Diversity accreditations
- Construction Company of Year at NCFD’s FREDIE Awards 2023
This accreditation complements Kier’s Building for a Sustainable World framework which focuses on the three key pillars: Our People, Our Places and Our Planet.