Property experts Bruntwood and University Academy 92 sign Trafford Pledge

Property experts Bruntwood and University Academy 92 (UA92) have become the latest high-profile businesses to sign the Trafford Pledge. UA92 is a new university academy based in Trafford co-founded by the Class of ’92 and Lancaster University.

The Pledge, which has been successful in supporting over 1,500 local people into employment and training since its launch in 2013, provides opportunities for people to be matched with local businesses which can offer jobs, apprenticeships, work experience and practical support.

Speaking recently at a Trafford Park Business Networking event, Councillor Andrew Western, Leader of Trafford Council said: “I’m delighted to be signing the Trafford Pledge with UA92 and Bruntwood. The new opportunities that both organisations will bring to the Trafford economy will help create more local jobs, supporting people out of unemployment and helping the economy to grow. The Council is determined to continue doing everything it can to help local people wanting to get into work and invest in our future generation to develop their careers. The fantastic response from businesses that have come forward over the last five years is great to see, and we look forward to working with UA92 and Bruntwood on exciting opportunities in the future.”

UA92 will open its doors to students in September 2019 and has pledged to support local employment, both through their own recruitment and through their contractors. UA92 will work closely with Trafford Pledge partners: Trafford Council, Trafford College, and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP), to ensure new job roles are actively promoted locally and opportunities are created to help support people into work. Alongside this, UA92 will work with partners to ensure prospective students can obtain a place on the UA92 degree programmes through a wide variety of routes in addition to the traditional pathway to university.

Signing the Pledge, Gary Neville, Co-founder of UA92, said: “It’s great to be supporting the Trafford Pledge and building on the successful partnership that has already been created between Hotel Football and the Trafford Pledge. To date, I’m proud to say that this partnership has supported employment for 551 people.

“In signing the Trafford Pledge, we are committing not only to ensuring that local people benefit from the new job opportunities that will be created at UA92, but also to opening up this higher education institution to people who would not traditionally have thought about going to university.”

Bruntwood, a locally-based property, letting and management company and will be delivering the construction of the new UA92 university campus. Bruntwood have pledged to identify jobs and apprenticeships suitable for local Trafford residents both within the UA92 contract and other developments in the Trafford area.

Chris Roberts, Chief Development Officer at Bruntwood, added: “We are delighted to be signing the Trafford Pledge and look forward to reaching out to local residents by promoting job and training opportunities both within UA92 and through our other projects in Trafford. Bruntwood work alongside a number of sub-contractors who will be encouraged to engage with local residents and the Trafford Pledge principles.”

Businesses who have already signed the Pledge, include: Hotel Football, Laing O’Rourke, Wilmott Dixon Partnership and Amey. They are all committed to offering opportunities to unemployed people through jobs, apprenticeships, work experience or practical support.

Anyone wanting more information about the Trafford Pledge should visit the Council's website at:

http://www.investintrafford.com/Employment-Skills/Trafford-Pledge-Businesses.aspx or contact the team on 0161 912 4176 or email employment@trafford.gov.uk.