Danny Sullivan’s Director of Strategy, Kacey O’Driscoll talks about Celebrating Pride Month and recognising and supporting LGBTQ+ communities within the construction industry.
From your perspective, what is the meaning of Pride month?
Pride month is hugely significant for a number of reasons: it’s a chance to celebrate, to educate, to belong. One of the greatest opportunities I believe the month presents is the prospect for employers to gain a better understanding of, and provide support for, the populations they employ. As leaders and employers, we have a huge responsibility to take care of our people and their wellbeing. We have an obligation to remember always that injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere.
This month, and every month, we must step up and show courage, representation, and allyship for all our people. Pride month is an opportunity to educate ourselves on how to create a safe and inclusive environment that embraces people for who they are and foster a culture where people can come to work truly feeling valued, respected and – most importantly – themselves.
What do you think has changed to make construction a more inclusive environment for LGBTQ+ employees?
Strides have certainly been made to support LGBTQ+ communities in the industry in recent years. Changes in legislation prohibiting discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation of course helped, and with that the advent of related written policies and procedures which construction companies have proudly taken the lead on advocating.
I think the greatest change to come to construction is that it has matured beyond the historic heterosexual male-dominated environment to understand that diversity is a real strength. Having team members from varied backgrounds empowers all of us and our companies to create better outcomes. Companies within the industry are now more than ever showing commitment that goes beyond lip service and implementing inclusive workplace practices. It is inspiring to see the real change leaders within the industry motivated to make real, lasting changes.
However, a word of caution, if construction wants to attract the best and brightest talent it is crucial that we as an industry do not compromise on these commitments. A recent survey found that four out of five Gen Z employees say they would not work for a company that doesn’t share their values. For construction to achieve its ambitions – and attract the great talent required to do this – it must cultivate values-driven companies; strong lived values will be what makes the difference in the end!
How do we bring this topic to our sites and ensure a psychologically safe environment for people to talk about their experiences?
To ensure that LGBTQ+ employees feel safe and empowered at work, it is important to be upfront and open about our values and expectations from day one. In order to set standards like this, senior leadership and sponsorship that is visible and vocal is vital. So too is ongoing education across all levels. Listening to and learning from our teams on site will ensure that, together, we can cultivate a stronger work environment and help LGBTQ+ workers feel safe, supported and respected.
At the Danny Sullivan Group, treating others with respect, acknowledging people’s dignity and having empathy with everyone’s life situation are fundamental to creating a culture we are very proud of. One where everyone comes to work feeling valued and respected. Respect forms the basis of our culture. It helps our people know who they are and why they show up to work each day. It guides our behaviours and so too our aspiration to be on the front lines of progress and ensuring that Pride is a way of life rather than a moment in June!
The Danny Sullivan Group is thrilled to be shortlisted as Recruitment and Retention Leader of the year by the New Civil Engineer Awards.
The New Civil Engineer Awards celebrates the best of the best in civil engineering consultancies in the UK, and recognises businesses, both large and small that are industry leaders in delivering real change to make the sector a better place to work.
To be recognised alongside other industry leaders is an absolute honour, and we congratulate all the other finalists who have made the shortlist.
Winners will be announced at the New Civil Engineer Awards ceremony which will be held on Wednesday 20 September, at the prestigious Grosvenor House Hotel in London.
Further details on those shortlisted for the award can be found on the New Civil Engineer Awards Shortlist.
The Danny Sullivan Group (DSG) welcomed its latest cohort of apprentices recently and the first tunnelling apprentices for the Skanska Costain Strabag (SCS), High Speed Two (HS2) project.
This milestone builds on the collaborative work carried out earlier this year when a partnership between DSG, SCS, HS2, The Forge Park Royal, Department for Work and Pensions and West London College was launched.
The partnership works with eight local boroughs to give previously unemployed residents an opportunity to be part of a bespoke construction employment programme, and work on the HS2 project.
Following a successful placement in the scheme, four individuals have since joined the apprenticeship programme, together with other DSG and Tunnelcraft apprentices.
Commenting on the launch of the programme, Head of Training, Skills and People Development, Ruairi Coffey said:
“It’s brilliant to see all the great collaborative success achieved earlier this year be built on even further. The Tunnelling Operative Apprenticeship will build the knowledge, skills, and behaviours to enable our learners to build the foundations for a long-term career in the tunnelling industry.
The support from our customers and Labour and Operations Teams in bringing this to life has been key. We’re keeping our promises since day one of the employability programme and investing in our people – At DSG it’s not just a job, it’s a career.”
The Danny Sullivan Group are delighted to be working with our delivery partners J3M Training, Qualtrain, and Russell Mason and thank them for their support in getting the project off the ground.
The Danny Sullivan Group offers a range apprenticeships in a variety of areas, including:
Visit the apprenticeships section for further information
Tayyub Ahmed is part of the Danny Sullivan Group team working on the HS2 Align JV Project. He recently completed a Manual Handling course delivered by eLearning through our Learner Management System (LMS).
We spoke to Tayyub about his experience using the LMS, keen to know what he thought about his learning experience, he said:
“I completed the Manual Handling eLearning course on the Danny Sullivan Group LMS and I was really impressed with the high quality of the course. The system for delivering the training was incredibly accessible and user-friendly, making it easy to navigate and easy to complete the course.
The course content was excellent and provided me with valuable skills that I can apply in the workplace. I can highly recommend the Danny Sullivan Group LMS to anyone looking for a convenient and easy-to-use platform, to expand their knowledge and develop their career”.
At the Danny Sullivan Group, we believe in the flexibility and democratisation of learning. Our LMS is designed to create accessible ways for our teams to upskill and bridge the skills gap, using industry-accredited learning materials that meet the needs of our customer.
We embrace digital learning and development, which leads to a reduction in downtime and an increase in productivity. By going green and reducing the need for travelling for both learners and trainers, we are also contributing to a reduction in emissions. We are committed to supporting our employees in their professional development and helping them to achieve their goals.
Work for the Danny Sullivan Group
For more information on exciting job opportunities with The Danny Sullivan Group, head over to https://www.dannysullivan.co.uk/job-board/
Advance your career in construction, sign up for a free ILM Level 3 management training course with the DSG Academy.
If you’re looking to advance your career in the construction industry, DSG Academy are offering fully funded Institute of Leadership Management Level 3, training.
The course which typically costs over £1600, is available to construction workers (subject to a course registration fee of £148 which also covers the cost of certification), thanks to CITB funding. The course is aimed at those who are currently working in the construction industry in a management role or are seeking to further their career in construction management.
Participants will learn essential skills necessary to become effective leaders in the industry, and will gain this prestigious qualification upon completion.
The course is taught online allowing participants to learn and engage flexibly, learning from anywhere at any time. This flexibility allows for individuals to learn and grow without disrupting their busy work schedule.
Upon successful completion of the course, participants will be certified ILM Level 3, which provides numerous benefits, including:
Register now!
Sign up for this not to be missed free training opportunity today! Visit the ILM Level 3 training page to sign up or email info@dsgacademy.co.uk
Throughout the week we have been celebrating women in construction. Today we have Maria’s story.
I decided to pursue a career in the construction industry as I wanted to make a big change in career, I felt construction was the place I really wanted to be.
I am working as a slinger/signaller, and I work with crane operators lifting machinery and equipment. People think this is a job only for men but that is not true at all. I have been working as a slinger for three years now and soon I will be working towards becoming a crane supervisor.
If you are unsure about taking up a career in construction my advice to you would be to just get stuck in and do it. It’s not a scary industry for women, it’s a place you can learn and progress and with the Danny Sullivan Group (DSG), you are valued and supported.
I very much recommend a career in construction to other women because not only is it is an industry where we need to see more representation but because there are jobs for everyone, men, women – it is a place where we can all work and support each other in getting the job done.
Women In Construction Week
This week also happens to be Women In Construction Week – a week that celebrates women working in construction and runs from 5 – 11 March. For more information visit https://wicweek.org/
Work for the Danny Sullivan Group
For more information on exciting job opportunities with The Danny Sullivan Group, head over to https://www.dannysullivan.co.uk/job-board/
The Danny Sullivan Group (DSG) are absolutely delighted to have received not one, not two, but three Diamond Certificates from Skanska Costain STRABAG (SCS).
These certificates are received in recognition for ‘demonstrating exceptional performance’ on HS2 Main Works Lots S1 and S2 over four consecutive quarters for Area East, Area West and Area Central.
This is an outstanding accomplishment and a testament to our workforce’s hard work, consistency, and excellent customer service delivery.
Managing Director, Tim O’Sullivan, Director of Strategy, Kacey O’Driscoll, and the DSG Leadership team wish to thank everyone across the DSG workforce for delivering exceptional results on this project.
This significant achievement could not have been achieved without the DSG workforce, and we are extremely proud of everyone who is working across the organisation to instill our DSG values.
Today is International Women’s Day.
Throughout the week we are celebrating women in construction. Today we have Carmen’s story.
I chose to work for The Danny Sullivan Group (DSG) and the construction industry because it offers a wide variety of job opportunities, from manual labour and skilled trades to engineering, project management and business administration.
Working for DSG is rewarding and challenging and a great place for women who are seeking new career opportunities where you can be part of an important team building key infrastructure projects in the UK that will have a positive impact on people’s daily lives for decades to come.
At DSG I feel comfortable and included because I work in a positive work environment that is supportive and welcoming. It offers a very inclusive culture that values diversity and promotes equity and fairness. The managers are really approachable and supportive, they do respond to employee needs.
If you are thinking of a career in the construction industry, I would say do it! I would recommend the construction industry to other women due to the variety of career paths and opportunities available.
You can start out in entry-level positions and work your way up to management and leadership roles or pursue specialised skills and become an expert in a particular field. I started out working as a cleaner and have progresses to a tallyman – the sky is the limit, and the opportunities are endless.
I love working at the Danny Sullivan Group and you will too! There’s a real opportunity for progression, they offer competitive salaries and benefits in a rewarding environment that leaves you with a sense of accomplishment where there is an opportunity to make a difference.
Women In Construction Week
This week also happens to be Women In Construction Week – a week that celebrates women working in construction and runs from 5 – 11 March. For more information visit https://wicweek.org/
Work for the Danny Sullivan Group
For more information on exciting job opportunities with The Danny Sullivan Group, head over to https://www.dannysullivan.co.uk/job-board/
We are excited to be exhibiting at the Bucks Skills Show this Wednesday 8 March, 9am – 3pm in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, where we will be showcasing some of the many exciting job opportunities available with The Danny Sullivan Group.
Our recruitment team will be at the Danny Sullivan Stand, ready to take questions and talk about exciting job opportunities on major UK infrastructure projects such as HS2, Hinkley Point and many others.
The Bucks Skills Show runs from the 8 – 9 March. For further information visit the Bucks Skills Show website. https://bucksskillshub.org/news/bucks-skills-show-2023
It’s International Women’s Day on 8th March.
Throughout the week we’ll be celebrating women in construction. Today we have Anna’s story.
I got into construction by coincidence when I was looking for a job having been made redundant due to covid. Whilst in between jobs, I did some training at the Shaw Trust, a charity that supports people into employment. It was there that I was put in touch with the Danny Sullivan Group (DGS) because of my interest in construction.
I spoke to the team at DSG who told me about a position that was coming up which I applied for and got. This kick started my career with DSG.
My experience working for DSG has been a very positive one. In my home country, construction is a male dominated field and women are not always treated equally but the opposite has been the case here and I am loving my job. The people I work with are great, friendly, and helpful.
I am so glad I took the step into construction, and I would 100% recommend a career with DSG. We all must take a leap of faith sometimes when we change careers, and I can tell you this has been worth it!
It is so easy to stay in your comfort zone due to stereotypes or what we think we should be when we really want to be something else, the construction industry needs women! I urge you to go for it and take the step forward and transform your career prospects and join the DSG.
The working environment is great, I have a brilliant team manager called Noel who from the very start has been supportive, offers guidance and is somebody I can approach whenever I need help. There is a great team spirit here and this is something you feel daily which makes you feel valued.
Working with DSG has opened lots of opportunity for me, including training around mental health and first aid. I now have the opportunity to train for NVQ Level 4.
If you want to feel valued, develop your career and work in a positive non-judgemental environment where colleagues support and value you, I will say join the Danny Sullivan Group. I wish every employer was like DSG! celebrates and promotes the role of women in the construction industry.
Women In Construction Week
This week also happens to be Women In Construction Week – a week that celebrates women working in construction and runs from 5 – 11 March. For more information visit https://wicweek.org/
Work for the Danny Sullivan Group
For more information on exciting job opportunities with The Danny Sullivan Group, head over to https://www.dannysullivan.co.uk/job-board/
