Co-op makes apprentice commitment at new HQ
THE Co-operative Group has made a pledge to use a large number of apprentices on the construction of its new base in Manchester.
Building work on the £100m head office starts today and the Co-op said it wants one in 12 of the workforce, or 8%, to be apprentices.
BAM Construction, which has already prepared the site, has been hired to build the new 325,000 sq ft home on Miller Street, Shudehill.
The Co-op is working with BAM, the Manchester Chamber of Commerce, Greater Manchester Employers Coalition and Jobcentre Plus to achieve its apprentice target.
More than 4,000 workers from 90 companies will be involved in the construction of the 16-storey building, which should be finished by August 2012.
The Co-op said the office block will have its own source of green power and is expected to become a catalyst for low-carbon developments in the surrounding area.
The Co-op’s group chief executive Peter Marks said: “Our new head office will not only enable us to continue our commercial contribution to city life but will also play a part in helping to make Manchester a 21st century leader in sustainable development.
“I am confident that in the coming decades this new building, like those we occupy at the moment, will become part of the famous Manchester skyline and that journey towards iconic status starts today.”
