Luton DART

The Luton DART project has large-scale social value ambitions to support the economic development of the local area. Lead contractor VFK has shown 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

A pioneering joint venture from Luton Council, its airport company and Volker Fitzpatrick-Kier (VFK) to promote skills development concluded in March 2020, resulting in more than 720 people in the area receiving essential training to help them enter the construction industry.

The Construction Skills Hub was created in November 2018 on the primary works site of the Luton DART, with a £1m grant from the Construction Skills Fund (CSF), funded by the Department for Education and administered by the CITB.

Main contractor VFK developed and delivered a series of construction-specific training programmes to a variety of college students, career changers and others either unemployed or out of education. More than 300 of the delegates were attracted from traditionally under-represented groups.

In addition, VFK created more than 80 full-time new jobs on the DART for local apprentices, graduates and other new entrants.

The scheme has also focused on supporting the trainees into permanent positions.

Over the course of the DART project, approximately 500 jobs are being created in a range of disciplines.

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

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

Construction of the Luton DART has provided 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.

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,