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HomeNewsVolkerFitzpatrick staff embark on innovative challenge to support development in remote communities

VolkerFitzpatrick staff embark on innovative challenge to support development in remote communities

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VolkerFitzpatrick has launched a ground-breaking partnership with sustainable development charity Raleigh International to help improve conditions in some of the world’s most remote communities.

Raleigh Group

The Overseas Development Challenge (ODC) was created to provide a small number of staff with the opportunity to join a Raleigh International project as Volunteer Managers. VolkerFitzpatrick is the only UK company to offer this kind of experience to their staff.

The four members of staff will spend eight weeks in Borneo, Costa Rica or Tanzania, gaining invaluable leadership and managerial experience that they will use in their daily roles with VolkerFitzpatrick on their return. Whilst working on sustainable projects, the Volunteer Managers will help support, mentor and lead a group of young volunteers as they support the development of rural communities.

Examples of Raleigh International projects include providing community buildings in isolated regions, installing gravity-feed water systems, as well as environmental protection and research projects.

Jonathan Suckling, VolkerFitzpatrick commercial director said: “We are delighted to partner with Raleigh International to offer our staff a fantastic opportunity for personal and professional development, and to improve the lives of some of the world’s poorest communities as a result.

“Raleigh International does some exceptional work in communities around the world and we are proud to become the first company to work with them in this way.”

Ben Isaac, a VolkerFitzpatrick site engineer, is one of the lucky staff to get through the extensive selection process and was chosen to join a Raleigh expedition to Tanzania. He added: “This is a great opportunity for me to use my skills to provide support to people that need it the most, whilst improving my leadership and communication skills. I really can’t wait to get out there and start making a difference
to the project and local community.”

James Sutton, business development strategist at Raleigh International said: “We’re delighted to be working with VolkerFitzpatrick. This opportunity will enable their staff to make use of their core business strengths, technical knowledge and soft skills to support volunteers on expedition. As a result, not only will they will be contributing to sustainable, impactful change in the communities they will work in, but they will also be developing their own leadership skills to then bring back to the UK and add even further value to the VolkerFitzpatrick business.”

The eight week expeditions begin in June and July. To find out more about the Overseas Development Challenge and follow the progress of the volunteers visit www.volkerfitzpatrick.co.uk/odc2015

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