The Maddie Rose Campaign aims to “shine a spotlight on the incredible career opportunities” available in the supplier and merchanting sectors, as well as the wider construction and built environment industry, inspiring “diverse young talent to discover the rewarding careers that will enable them to achieve their full potential”.
The initiative has been set up in the memory and celebration of the life of Maddie Rose Hollamby, an inspirational young woman who was dedicated to showcasing the aspirational careers available in the sector she cared for so passionately. Maddie, a marketing executive at Keyline Civils Specialists, loved working in the construction industry and was passionate about highlighting its benefits to other young people, so that they could develop through it as she had.
At the time of her tragic death in August 2021, she had just been appointed Director of Visibility on the Travis Perkins Youth Board. The Youth Board has three main aims: Attract, Retain, Encourage – it works to bring in a younger generation of people into the business, keep them in the business, helping them to see it as a career rather than just a job, and to ensure all younger people in the business feel encouraged, comfortable and safe to speak out and voice their opinions.
In partnership with Construction Youth Trust, the supplier and merchanting community have come together to honour Maddie’s legacy by developing and delivering a ‘Hidden Careers Programme’, aiming to create a blueprint that can be used to support young people to access opportunities across the sector. To maximise the impact of the campaign in 2022, this will initially be piloted in the hub areas where CYT already has long-standing relationships with schools and colleges (such as London and North Kent).
From Maddie’s birthday on 21st April to Maddie’s day on 22nd September, the campaign has pledged to:
- Develop and pilot a Hidden Careers schools programme, engaging 200+ pupils across 11 target pilot schools and colleges;
- Offer meaningful work experience placements to 25+ young people;
- Highlight live apprenticeship opportunities to recruit at least 10 new apprentices into the sector;
- Broaden engagement with sector organisations by publicising case studies, inspirational stories and campaign updates.
Construction Youth Trust’s Charlotte Kirkbride said: “We would be delighted if you were able to support the Maddie Rose campaign by providing relatable role models to support school and college sessions, offer work experience placements or share your apprenticeship opportunities.”
Please click the link for more information on the Maddie Rose Campaign, or email charlotte.kirkbride@constructionyouth.org.uk
A fund has also been set up in celebration of the life and work of Maddie Rose. Donations can be made via www.justgiving.com/campaign/maddierose
