Luton DART

The Luton DART project has large-scale social value ambitions to support the economic development of the local area. Lead contractor VFK will show its commitment to the local community by sourcing:

• 80 per cent of materials spend (excluding steel and aggregate) from within 20 miles of Luton
• 90 per cent of plant procurements from within 20 miles of Luton
• over 80 per cent of the unskilled project workforce from within 20 miles of Luton
• 100 per cent of unskilled new recruits from within 20 miles of Luton
• 100 per cent of sub-contract and materials tenders to include a supplier from within 20 miles of Luton
• 100 per cent of sub-contractors to sign up to the project’s Social Value Charter

The project, now open runs until March 2020 and offers local people the opportunity to be trained in a variety of construction skills. It will provide local and regional employers with access to trained potential employees. Focus will be on training up those from underrepresented groups and so far the scheme has received referrals from the Council’s Passport to Employment programme, Noah, Luton Youth Offending Service and Avenue Centre for Education.

The scheme runs a 5 day programme, which includes training in Level 1 Health and Safety Awareness, Manual Handling/Working at Height or Fire Warden, Careers in construction and Emergency First Aid. All trainees also have the opportunity to take their Construction Skills Certificate Scheme (CSCS) test at the end of the 5 day course.

If you are interested in enrolling, please email info@vfkjv.co.uk

Over the course of the DART project, approximately 500 jobs will be created in a range of disciplines. Come back here to see details of current opportunities.

As part of its commitment to using and training a workforce, VFK will:

• take on 30 apprentices throughout the life of the project
• provide work experience opportunities for 25 people in education and 15 people outside education, training or employment
• create 78 new jobs for local people
• attend at least 30 students’ careers information, advice and guidance events
• provide training and qualification for more than 250 of the sub-contractor workforce.

Construction of the Luton DART is providing a number of opportunities for local businesses. A large project like this needs skills, materials and employees from a wide range of sectors. Lead contractor VFK has already held a number of networking events for potential partners, and is always keen to hear if your services match its needs. Meet the buyer event in June 2018.

LLAL recognises on a wider level that there are inevitably some undesirable consequences from having a major airport on the doorstep, and is committed to achieving the right balance between economic benefits and environmental impacts. One of the most effective ways it does that is through investing in local communities.
You can read our Community Funding Policy here and about some of the many good outcomes here.