Making Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion a part of everyday life

Birmingham, 8^th March 2024 – Keltbray, proudly announces its achievement in receiving the Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) award from National Highways. This prestigious award recognises Keltbray’s commitment to fostering an inclusive and diverse workplace culture, setting new standards within the construction industry.

Working alongside Baker-Hestia, as our EDI consultants, Keltbray has implemented innovative processes and strategies, aligning inclusion, behaviours, and safety to achieve excellence.

August 2022 saw works begin on our M621 project in Leeds, driving positive change and oppurtunities for the surrounding communities and stakeholders.

The M621 project, delivered with National Highways, features an inclusive culture with 250 daily on-site workers and a strong contingent of women in senior roles. Teams strive to deliver excellence through engagement, with the workforce, supply chain, and customers.

The project recently won the Construction News/NCE Inspiring Women in Construction and Engineering Awards for Excellence in Senior Leadership, stemming from values established in early 2022.

Further support from specialist behavioural consultant Baker-Fish has allowed Keltbray to align EDI with key themes, including behaviour, psychological safety, hidden disabilities, intersectionality, and masculinity.

Keltbray’s commitment to flexible working as a day-one right has been endorsed by senior leaders, promoting a balance between work, lifestyle, family commitments, and general wellbeing. This approach, coupled with a dynamic working environment, has seen 91% of staff take advantage of flexible working options.

Our dynamic working environment is supported by a comprehensive upskilling program for women on the project, resulting in promotions across various disciplines. Additionally, apprenticeship opportunities and STEM-based outreach initiatives highlight Keltbray’s dedication to diversity in construction.

On-site initiatives, driven by an EDI working group, celebrate events such as International Women’s Day and address crucial safety topics. We are making business changing interventions, with our latest challenge being to find a solution to feedback about compulsory drugs and alcohol testing. We are now looking for alternative solutions for women, which do not involve compromising urine testing.

Community outreach initiatives, including school visits, mock interviews, and charitable fundraising, are undertaken to create a positive impact beyond the construction site. We also look to host bespoke work-experience programs and focus groups, such as working with Leeds Society for Deaf and Blind People to host communication channels that support special needs.

Keltbray’s unwavering dedication to equality, diversity, and inclusion has created employment opportunities, fostered a compassionate work environment, and set new industry standards. The company is proud of its achievements at every level and the positive differences being made by its team.

ENDS