Finalists -Employer of the Year – Large (250+ Employees) — Why They Stood Out
BAM UK & Ireland
Overview
With a 150-year legacy, BAM UK & Ireland continues to set the standard for sustainable, people-focused construction. The company’s mission—to build a sustainable tomorrow—is reflected in every facet of its operations. From iconic buildings to community infrastructure, BAM delivers impact through collaboration, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to its workforce. The organisation’s Early Careers and Diversity & Inclusion teams ensure opportunities reach every corner of society, engaging schools, universities, and underrepresented communities to build pathways into the industry.
Why They Stood Out
BAM impressed with the scale and depth of its investment in people. Its apprenticeship and graduate programmes are industry-leading, with more than 370 live apprenticeships and 40 graduate roles across the UK and Ireland. The company’s bespoke partnerships with Leeds College of Building and other institutions enable apprentices to earn full honours degrees, while its Inclusion@BAM initiative provides safe spaces and structured support for all employees. A high retention rate of 81%—among the best in the sector—speaks volumes about the organisation’s culture of care, opportunity, and long-term growth.
Highlights
- Over 6,500 employees and 370+ apprenticeships nationwide
- Partnerships with CICES, ICE, and IOM3 supporting 1,300 professional qualifications
- 2024 Employer Award for Construction Services at the Multicultural Apprenticeship Awards
- Ranked 50th in the 2024/25 Rate My Apprenticeship Top 100 Employers
- Dedicated Inclusion Networks and mentoring schemes supporting 470 learners
Dodd Group
Overview
A proudly family-owned business since 1947, Dodd Group has become synonymous with quality and reliability across mechanical and electrical services. With over 1,100 staff nationwide, the company’s mission is rooted in community impact, sustainability, and skill development. Its longevity is built on a culture of loyalty, local employment, and investment in apprenticeships that stretch from the classroom to the boardroom.
Why They Stood Out
Judges praised Dodd Group’s holistic approach to workforce development—where apprenticeships are not initiatives but a way of life. With 175 apprentices currently in training and a retention rate of 99.9%, the company’s structured mentorship, career pathways, and
“person before position” philosophy set it apart. The organisation’s management
development schemes and internal ‘bite-sized MBA’ create a pipeline of future leaders, many of whom started as apprentices themselves.
Highlights
- Over 175 apprentices—8% of total workforce
- 16% of employees in formal learning or qualification pathways
- Strong partnerships with local schools and colleges, delivering 30+ annual STEM visits
- Member of the 5% Club, Care Leavers Covenant, and Armed Forces Covenant
- Winner of multiple regional training and community awards
Doocey Group
Overview
Established in 1981, Doocey Group has grown into a dynamic national utilities and civil engineering contractor, delivering essential infrastructure for clients such as National Grid and Severn Trent. As a family-run business, Doocey prides itself on its values of quality, community, and opportunity—creating a culture that champions skills, inclusion, and the next generation of utility professionals.
Why They Stood Out
Doocey Group’s pioneering pre-apprenticeship initiative—known as the Social Value Programme—has transformed access to construction careers. Designed as a “try before you buy” approach, the three-week course offers practical experience, safety training, and employability workshops to local young people with no barriers to entry. To date, more than 190 individuals have completed the programme, with dozens progressing into apprenticeships both within Doocey and the wider sector. The judges recognised this as an exemplary model for social value and inclusion, addressing real industry skills shortages at the grassroots level.
Highlights
- 193 pre-apprenticeship participants; 37 apprentices recruited
- 13% workforce growth via apprenticeships in three years
- Inclusive recruitment strategy encouraging neurodiverse applicants
- Dedicated Apprentice Support Officer and annual graduation ceremonies
- First company-led pre-apprenticeship scheme adopted as a social value model
GMI Construction PLC
Overview
Since its founding in 1986, GMI Construction has built a reputation as one of the UK’s leading privately-owned contractors, with projects spanning commercial, residential, healthcare, and industrial sectors. Its mission—Building for a Better Future—drives a culture of excellence rooted in people development, sustainability, and collaboration.
Why They Stood Out
GMI’s integrated approach to education, upskilling, and inclusion showcases how smaller organisations can create large-scale impact. Its investment in T-Level programmes, apprenticeship routes, and “Constructing Careers” outreach initiatives helps tackle the industry’s persistent skills gap. Beyond technical training, GMI champions diversity through women-in-construction initiatives, neurodiversity support, and open mentoring programmes. Its employee-first culture ensures wellbeing, professional growth, and sustainability remain central pillars of success.
Highlights
- Structured apprenticeships, T-Levels, and graduate schemes nationwide
- Social Value Initiative of the Year and Outreach Initiative of the Year winners (2024 CN Awards)
- Active mental health network and Employee Assistance Programme
- Award-winning diversity and inclusion initiatives
- Innovative “Constructing Pathways” programme broadening career access
Skanska UK (M42J6 Improvement Scheme)
Overview
Skanska UK, leading the £282 million M42 Junction 6 Improvement Scheme, has demonstrated how major infrastructure projects can deliver far-reaching social value. Partnering with National Highways and Mott MacDonald, Skanska has embedded training, inclusivity, and community engagement into every stage of the project.
Why They Stood Out Judges commended Skanska’s commitment to building futures beyond the construction site. From pioneering T-Level placements to the ‘Go Beyond the Gates’ programme supporting young prison leavers, the company’s work demonstrates social responsibility in action. Its partnerships with Migrant Help UK and Beating Time have opened employment pathways for refugees and asylum seekers, while inclusion workshops and multilingual Fairness, Inclusion & Respect (FIR) training ensure every team member is supported and valued.
Highlights
- 16% of workforce made up of graduates, apprentices, and T-level students
- 50% of emerging talent from BAME backgrounds
- £30k invested in local community charities since 2023
- FIR training delivered in Punjabi and Urdu to eliminate language barriers
- Ongoing collaborations supporting ex-offenders and refugees into employment
St Joseph
Overview
Part of the Berkeley Group, St Joseph operates with a clear mission: to build quality homes, strengthen communities, and make a lasting social impact. Based in Birmingham, the company’s developments are transforming underused land into thriving neighbourhoods— anchored by a people-first culture and commitment to future skills.
Why They Stood Out
St Joseph’s Pathways to Construction programme stood out as a model of collaboration and inclusion. Delivered with partners such as WMCA, The Skills Centre, and local councils, the scheme creates a clear journey from education to employment through training, apprenticeships, and work experience. The company’s partnerships with Crisis, St Basils, and other social organisations reflect its focus on providing real opportunity for underrepresented groups, from care leavers to those at risk of homelessness.
Highlights
- 51 local people supported into work or apprenticeships at Glasswater Locks
- Over 800 young people engaged through schools programme
- 265 Mental Health First Aid volunteers across the business
- Signatory of the Building Mental Health Framework and the 5% Club
- Focused on diversity, inclusion, and long-term community legacy