14/09/2026
National Inclusion Week | Creating Opportunities Through Inclusion🌍👥
This National Inclusion Week, we're to shine a spotlight on the work being done to create opportunities, break down barriers and build a more inclusive future for our industry.
As Seymour Skills Academy Training Academy Manager and our representative on the Renew Diversity Forum, Donna is passionate about ensuring diversity and inclusion are embedded in everything we do.
Donna’s commitment is reflected in the work we deliver every day through the Seymour Skills Academy, providing accessible pathways into construction and supporting individuals who may otherwise face barriers to employment.
Since opening, the Academy has:
✅Supported 1,934 unemployed learners on their journey into employment and training.
✅Helped 1,248 learners progress into work across a wide range of industries.
✅Achieved more than 12,670 qualifications, equipping people with the skills, confidence and credentials needed to succeed.
✅Worked with 379 employers and agencies who have recruited Academy graduates between August 2020 and July 2026.
The Academy's impact extends across some of the most disadvantaged communities in the Tees Valley. Through the Adult Skills Fund, we've supported learners living in areas identified by the Index of Multiple Deprivation, helping to remove barriers to participation, learning and employment.
From 2020/21 to 2025/26, learners from disadvantaged Tees Valley postcodes achieved 2,660 qualifications, with an outstanding 91.13% achievement rate, demonstrating what can be achieved when people are given the support, opportunities and encouragement they need to thrive.
The impact is also being felt by employers. The number of organisations recruiting Academy graduates has grown year-on-year, helping to strengthen the regional workforce and create meaningful employment opportunities throughout the Tees Valley and beyond.
Our in-house and Renew Diversity Forum provides an important platform for sharing best practice, challenging barriers and driving positive change across the Group. Combined with the work of the Skills Academy, it helps ensure we continue creating an environment where everyone feels valued, supported and empowered to reach their full potential.
Because inclusion isn't just about opening doors. It's about ensuring everyone has the opportunity to walk through them.
