Nantgarw-based aircraft servicing company, GE Aviation Wales, has been awarded the Corporate Social Responsibility Award at the annual Inspire Wales Awards.
The company, which services aircraft engines for over 90 customers worldwide, has been recognised by the Institute of Welsh Affairs, for its work with Llamau, after launching an initiative to help support the Learning 4 Life Scheme run by the homeless charity.
On winning the award, Tori James, Community Liaison Leader at GE Aviation Wales said: “We are absolutely delighted to have been recognised for our work with Llamau. This has been one of the first projects which stepped away from the traditional ‘build it fix it’ approach and its success has been down to an incredible amount of time and energy offered by employees. It is great to see that we are making a real and positive impact on the lives of local young people.”
GE Aviation Wales launched the project to help support young people as they work towards securing employment. Volunteers from across the workforce have worked on this project with the aim of using their skills and expertise to help benefit Llamau learners.
To date, Llamau learners have gained work experience, attended first aid courses and taken part in interview technique and CV writing workshops at the facility, which all aim towards helping them achieve their goal of finding employment.
Frances Beecher, Chief Executive of Llamau said: “We are so grateful for GE’s ongoing support and can’t thank them enough for the opportunities they have provided for our Service Users. Real-life, hands on work experience has provided our young people with transferable skills that will last a lifetime and this wouldn’t be possible without the involvement of companies like GE. Llamau is delighted they have been recognised for this award and we can’t think of a more deserving winner.”
As part of GE’s community programme, employees from the 1,200 strong workforce support local schools and organisations to help make a difference and improve the lives of people within the local community. In 2011, the site logged over 3,000 volunteering hours, $55,000 was invested into local initiatives and projects, and over $150,000 was fundraised for charities and organisations.
Continue Tori: “We have a strong volunteering culture here at GE and to be able to use our skills and knowledge to support the local community is a brilliant way for us to give back. The enthusiasm, passion and dedication of the workforce is recognised through this award, and we look forward to continuing to support the local community and help to make a difference.”