Hazel Holt

Said the following about Mark Glaysher:

“Over the past year Mark has been the main driving force behind Community Investment activities across the Crossrail Programme. He has led on the employability and social mobility agenda focusing on initiatives that will deliver a real impact in the areas we are working.

He has expanded the Budding Brunel’s programme delivered in partnership with the Construction Youth Trust. This delivered 6 workshops to children from deprived areas with over 80 students going through the programme in 2014/15 and with another 7 workshops planned for 2015/16 with up to 210 students being introduced to the possible carers that STEM subjects can lead to. A further 17 students then gained valuable work experience on our sites. The programme has also been analysed for its social return on investment with a social value of £5.43 for every £1 spent in time or money. The programme has expanded to engage earlier age groups and introduce an alumni of Budding Brunel’s students to support and engaged them through their higher education.

He has been the lead in the setting up of a new and innovative apprenticeship scheme. The project management apprenticeship scheme (London Major Programmes Apprenticeship) is a London focused Level 4 2 year apprenticeship. He has worked with a consortium of Major contractors within London (CRL, Thames Tideway Tunnels, Vinci, HS2, Balfour Beatty) to design and shape the programme. The scheme will fill an identified skills gap within the construction industry for experienced project managers. From the first cohort 53% were unemployed at the time of application and 75% were BAME. The first cohort of 15 started in March with the apprentices being placed in 4 companies. The scheme has been recognised as the first of its kind in the London area.

Mark has sought more opportunities to enhance the social mobility for young people across London by supporting the set up of a Paid Work Placement scheme to give young people the opportunity to gain valuable work experience and enhance their employability.

Mark also volunteers to support the science club at a local school spending an hour a week undertaking practical science activities. He is also attends the employability meetings at a local school - Paddington Academy.

He has engaged with both staff, his team and our contractors to ensure that the programme leaves a lasting legacy for London and has done this through great leadership and by setting an example to others.“