The Port of Dover has been shortlisted for the European Sea Ports Organisation's (ESPO) prestigious Societal Integration Award in recognition of its work with young people.
ESPO, representing port authorities, administrations and associations from across Europe, announced that Dover had been shortlisted this week for the award. This year's award is focused on promoting projects that make future generations of employees, neighbours and other stakeholders aware of what the port sector has to offer.
Bob Goldfield, Chief Executive, Port of Dover, said: "I am delighted that, in an award which scours the whole of Europe for excellent examples of how ports integrate and support their communities, the Port of Dover's work with local young people has been recognised. I congratulate all those within the Port who have contributed to this achievement."
The port's Youth Engagement Scheme (YES) has been running for many years and incorporates a number of elements. It involves both up-skilling local young people in terms of the generic business skills (such as through the Port's work with Young Enterprise) that will benefit not just the Port in the future but the wider community as well. It includes working with underachieving students who do not plan, or who are unable, to go to university and to inspire them in their career goals through focusing on different aspects of the Port. YES enables undergraduates to practically apply the academic knowledge they have obtained in an operational working environment and it involves running projects on a range of themes tailored to issues specific to the Port of Dover.
Mr Goldfield added: "This is a great example of how seriously and enthusiastically the Port undertakes its corporate social responsibilities and how, within the confines of its trust port status, finds ways to make a positive and meaningful contribution to its local community. We have a key responsibility to future generations and our work with the young through YES is a fantastic way of demonstrating this."
