Committed to achieving sustainable changes in our community

Wood Group is one of 80 top companies engaged with Scottish Business in the Community (SBC)*, and the only oil & gas services firm in Aberdeen, to support the Ready for Work programme.

Aiming to encourage companies to engage in continually improving the impact they have on society, the scheme demonstrates that businesses can play a key role in helping those vulnerable to homelessness and unemployed people to achieve permanent employment.

"We not only support the programme with funding of £5,000 per year but we also work together with SBC and Aberdeen Foyer*, which provides stepping stones into employment for young people," explains Christine Forbes, HR Manager, Wood Group Engineering (North Sea), "This is a way in which we can share Wood Group's success with others and contribute to the local community."

Christine adds, "The scheme also helps develop the skills of our HR, facilities and finance teams. By volunteering to train as buddies our people develop both their supervisory skills and their understanding of disadvantage and vulnerability, which helps them provide more effective support to the participants, who join us for two-week placements."

"Over three years we have supported more than 20 people on the scheme, who have gained confidence and experience in different departments. We are firmly committed to continuing our commitment to the scheme, which has already helped a number of people gain permanent positions within Wood Group and gain confidence to work in other businesses."

FactFile

• *Scottish Business in the Community (SBC) enables companies to make their impact on society as positive and productive as possible, while gaining tangible business benefits. www.sbcscot.com
• Aberdeen Foyer charity works with young people aged 16 to 25 to help alleviate homeless-ness and supports excluded individuals seeking to move into education, training or employment. www.aberdeenfoyer.com