Civil engineering companies Graham and Farrans won the Employability and Jobs Award at Business in the Community’s 2019 Responsible Business Awards, held in the International Convention Centre in Belfast.

More than 600 business people from across Northern Ireland attended the annual glittering gala dinner to see Northern Ireland's leading responsible companies recognised for outstanding contributions to their people, the planet and the places where they operate.

The Employability and Jobs Award, sponsored by Belfast Harbour, was awarded to both Graham and Farrans for their joint venture to devise and deliver innovative employability and skills activities that aimed to plug a sector skills gap through focussing on equal opportunities promotion and social inclusion.

As a result of their collaboration, both companies successfully engaged females and the long-term unemployed in project activities, and the judges were particularly impressed by their engagement of inmates within HMP Maghaberry, through a careers event and a pilot work trial.

Discussing the win, Michael Smyth, GRAHAM HR Director said: "We are thrilled that this joint venture between Graham and Farrans has scooped the Employability and Jobs award. Both organisations are committed to developing sector skills and promoting equal opportunities and social inclusion. We have been implementing a range of programmes to build engagement with females and the long-term unemployed including careers events and pilot projects. These initiatives have been very successful, and we intend to continue building upon the progress we have made."

-- Advertisement --

Leading commercial bank, Danske Bank, picked up the top award on the night – NI Responsible Company of the Year 2019.

Supported by 2018 NI Responsible Company of the Year, Heron Bros., and in association with Ulster Business Magazine, the awards celebrate organisations that are making a difference by taking action to address pressing social and environmental issues – transforming communities and changing lives.

The ten 2019 winners were:

• NI Responsible Company of the Year Award, sponsored by Heron Bros. – Danske Bank

• Investing in your Community Award, sponsored by Caterpillar – Apex Housing Association

• Diversity and Inclusion Award, sponsored by Legal Island – Danske Bank

• Education Partner Award, sponsored by Allen & Overy – Esri Ireland

• Employability and Jobs Award, sponsored by Belfast Harbour – Graham Farrans Joint Venture

• Environmental Leadership Award, sponsored by Arthur Cox – Ulster University

• Responsible Product/Service Award, sponsored by Ciena – Translink

• One-to-Watch Award, sponsored by Survitec Group – ABP

• Wellbeing at Work Award, sponsored by Larne Port – Danske Bank

• Responsible Digital Innovation Award, sponsored by Ciena – Danske Bank

Kieran Harding, Managing Director, Business in the Community said: "I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate each and every one of our winners, and those who were highly commended and shortlisted, for leading the way in responsible business practice. The standard for entries was phenomenally high and I hope that the achievements of the companies recognised will inspire others on their responsible business journey.

"Business in the Community is proud to be celebrating our thirtieth anniversary in Northern Ireland, working with some of the most innovative and responsible businesses, and these annual awards are a way for us to showcase and thank those organisations across NI that are taking responsible business action."