Social value has become a fundamental part of the construction industry. Increasingly, contractors, developers and public sector organisations are expected to deliver benefits that extend far beyond the buildings and infrastructure they create. From supporting local employment and skills development to reducing barriers to work and strengthening communities, social value is now a key measure of project success.

At Acorn by Synergie, we understand that construction recruitment plays an important role in delivering these commitments. Our specialist Construction division works closely with clients to help them achieve meaningful social value outcomes while ensuring projects have access to the skilled workforce they need.

What is Social Value in Construction?

Social value is about creating wider economic, social and environmental benefits through construction projects. It focuses on leaving a positive legacy by creating employment opportunities, developing local skills, supporting disadvantaged groups, engaging with communities and promoting sustainable working practices.

With social value now embedded into many public sector procurement frameworks and increasingly expected across the private sector, delivering measurable outcomes has never been more important.

Creating Employment Opportunities That Make a Difference

Every construction project creates opportunities that can have a lasting impact on individuals and communities.

Whether it's supporting someone into their first role in construction, helping an experienced tradesperson return to work or connecting local people with long-term employment, every placement contributes towards stronger communities and sustainable careers.

Our Construction team works closely with clients to understand not only their workforce requirements but also their wider social value objectives, ensuring recruitment supports both project delivery and community outcomes.

Supporting Rehabilitation Through Employment

One of the most meaningful ways we deliver social value is by helping people overcome barriers to employment.

Our Social Value Co-ordinator for Construction, Carly Jones, works closely with prison employment leads and in partnership with PeoplePlus to support individuals preparing for release into sustainable employment within the construction industry. By creating clear pathways into work, we're helping people build new careers while providing employers with access to motivated and committed candidates.

Employment plays a vital role in reducing reoffending, supporting rehabilitation and helping individuals reintegrate successfully into society. Through these partnerships, we're creating opportunities that benefit individuals, employers and the wider community.

Working With Community Partners

Creating lasting social value relies on strong partnerships.

Alongside our work with prison employment teams and PeoplePlus, we also partner with Edengate, supporting initiatives that help individuals overcome barriers to employment and access meaningful opportunities. By working collaboratively with organisations that share our values, we're able to extend our impact and support people from a wide range of backgrounds into sustainable careers.

These partnerships strengthen our ability to deliver measurable social value while helping construction clients meet their own community engagement and employment commitments.

Supporting Local Communities

Construction projects have the power to leave a positive legacy within the communities they serve.

With branches across the UK, Acorn by Synergie actively supports local initiatives and encourages colleagues to volunteer their time and expertise throughout the year. Whether supporting employability events, careers initiatives or community projects, our teams are committed to making a positive difference beyond recruitment.

By investing time in local communities, we're helping to inspire future talent, strengthen local relationships and support the next generation entering the construction industry.

Championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

A more diverse construction workforce benefits everyone.

We're committed to promoting fair, inclusive recruitment practices that provide equal opportunities regardless of background or circumstance. By helping employers remove unnecessary barriers to employment and widen access to careers in construction, we support the development of stronger, more representative workforces.

Inclusive recruitment not only creates social value but also helps address skills shortages by encouraging talented individuals from all backgrounds to consider careers within the industry.

Investing in Skills for the Future

Inspiring the next generation is an important part of creating lasting social value within the construction industry.

We work alongside WorKing Options to introduce young people to the wide range of career opportunities available in construction, helping to challenge common misconceptions about the industry. Through careers talks and engagement with schools and colleges, we showcase the diverse roles that construction offers—from project management, planning and engineering to health and safety, sustainability, design, quantity surveying and skilled trades.

By broadening young people's understanding of the industry, we're helping them see that construction offers a variety of rewarding career paths, while supporting employers in developing the skilled workforce of the future.

Building Long-Term Partnerships

Delivering social value isn't achieved through a single initiative—it's built through long-term collaboration.

We work closely with construction clients to understand their project-specific social value commitments and develop recruitment solutions that contribute towards measurable outcomes. Whether supporting local employment, engaging with community organisations, creating opportunities for underrepresented groups or developing sustainable employment pathways, we're committed to delivering value that extends well beyond recruitment.

Looking Ahead

Social value will continue to shape the future of the construction industry, influencing how projects are procured, delivered and measured.

At Acorn by Synergie, we're proud to support our construction clients in achieving these objectives through meaningful recruitment partnerships. By working alongside prison employment teams, PeoplePlus, Edengate and other community organisations, we're helping to create employment opportunities, strengthen communities and leave a lasting positive legacy.

Because successful construction projects don't just build places—they build opportunities, careers and stronger communities.