Member Article

Sunderland business receives Award for Excellence

Sunderland based people and property business, Gentoo has been announced as the Example of Excellence in the Merrill Lynch Education category at the national Business in the Community Awards for Excellence 2008.

Business in the Community (BITC) is a charity that mobilises businesses for good. BITC aims to inspire, engage, support and challenge companies on responsible business. The Merrill Lynch Education Award recognises community programmes that raise the achievement of young people through building sustainable partnerships with schools to the benefit of pupils aged 5-19 years in the UK.

Gentoo have been recognised for their ‘Pupils First’ programme, a 2 year accredited placement for Year 10 pupils across 5 secondary schools. Over 250 staff volunteer to deliver practical and vocational learning, from gardeners and plumbers through to the Chief Executive. The project aims to raise pupils’ awareness of the world of work, improve motivation, raise aspirations, give them practical skills and a qualification which ultimately makes them employable after school.

Tim Cobb, Managing Director and Head of Merrill Lynch International Communications said: “Gentoo’s ‘can-do’ attitude is delivering real results for the pupils they work with. Pupils First shows that entering industry isn’t the easy option, it’s something that needs hard work from day one. They are realistic about the challenges they face and are working hard to effectively support the schools they work with. The Pupils First model is a simple idea, but Gentoo are delivering it with real flair.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .