Tarmac partnering with The Duke of Edinburgh's Award

Company investing in youth skills to help its younger employees build better futures

TARMAC have launched a new partnership with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award (DofE), the UK’s leading youth charity, to enable more young people to better their life prospects and achieve their DofE Award.

The new charity partnership will see under-23s from across Tarmac’s UK business being offered the opportunity to do their Gold DofE as part of an 18-month programme.

To mark the launch of the new relationship, representatives from Tarmac, including senior vice-president Martin Riley, attended a presentation at St James’s Palace, where they were presented with a certificate and given an opportunity to meet some of the young people who have achieved their Gold Award.

Martin Riley said: ‘I am passionate about helping young people build better futures by creating opportunities to gain skills and experience, and I’m pleased and proud that Tarmac are working with The Duke of Edinburgh’s Award, as an organization that shares our commitment to learning, training and personal development for the younger generation.

‘I’m also delighted that we can use our partnership to offer opportunities for Tarmac colleagues to do their Gold Award programme, allowing them to fulfil their potential and get involved with projects that help us build even stronger links with local communities.’

Peter Westgarth, chief executive of the DofE, added: ‘We are trying to reach out and help as many young people as possible. We know that employers value an employee’s attitude just as much as academic qualifications, and that’s where we come in. Employers tell us they are actively looking for DofE Award holders at interview.

‘For young people wanting to get a job, a Duke of Edinburgh’s Award can make a real difference. The DofE transforms lives and we are delighted to have the support of Tarmac, giving more young people a better chance to lead a more productive and fulfilled adult life.’

To achieve a Gold Award, Tarmac employees will complete all the DofE sections, including Volunteering, Physical, Skills, Expedition and Residential, with a focus on developing valuable skills for business such as, teamworking, commitment, determination, communication and a positive approach to work.

In addition, Tarmac’s young employees will contribute to their local communities through their volunteering activities, which could range from befriending older people to helping out at an animal rescue centre or supporting a local charity to handle its accounts.

The Charity has been partnering with businesses since 2006 as part of its award-winning ‘DofE Business’ initiative, to give young employees the opportunity to do their DofE through their employer.

DofE Business is backed by leading British employers and organizations who share a common goal; to invest in the future of young people, in business and the UK. Companies that run DofE Business have found it speeds up young people’s development, makes them better at their jobs, and fosters the soft skills, attitudes and attributes that make them desirable as employees.