Premier Forest Products praised in Parliament for transformative Corporate Parenting Programme

Leading UK timber supplier Premier Forest Products has been applauded by Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden for its groundbreaking Corporate Parenting Programme.

In partnership with Newport Council and its Children’s Services, the Premier Forest Corporate Parenting Programme supports up to six young people each year, offering paid work placements across departments including finance, operations, logistics and manufacturing.

From left to right: Laura Laceyn, Jessica Morden, Terry Edgell, Janyn Bryan and Deborah Davies

Each mentee is paired with an in-house mentor and receives ongoing support, including educational tutoring where needed. Since launching two years ago, the programme has supported 12 young people, providing the confidence, structure and opportunities needed to transition successfully into the world of work.

Newport East MP Jessica Morden recently visited Premier Forest’s headquarters in Newport to learn more about the scheme. She then raised the visit and the programme in the House of Commons, describing it as an important model for the UK Government to consider when looking at how to better support organisations.

In the House of Commons, Jessica said: “I recently visited Premier Forest Products in Newport to learn more about the vocational training and employment opportunities that the business is offering to care-experienced young school leavers in Newport, with some wonderful success stories.”

She then asked: “Will the department look at the model that the company is creating and can the Secretary of State say more about how the Government are working with businesses to make sure that opportunities are more accessible for people from all backgrounds?”

Work and Pensions Secretary Pat McFadden responded: “We want to support Wales in doing that, and we have allocated an extra £10 million to this work over the coming year… I obviously recognise the challenges facing those without inflation protection, particularly after the cost-of-living pressures of recent years and I think that recognition is shared by members on both sides of the House.”

Terry Edgell, CEO and Co-Founder of Premier Forest Products, commented: “We are extremely proud of this programme. We aim to give these young people the same care, encouragement and structure we would give our own children. We can change their life chances.

“To be applauded by Jessica Morden and the Cabinet Minister for this scheme is extremely significant and important for our aim to see this rolled out nationally. Our discussions with Jessica may potentially inspire other employers to introduce this scheme into their organisations.”

Premier Forest is a vertically integrated timber operation engaged in the importation, processing, machining, engineering and wholesale distribution of timber and timber products from its multiple sites across the UK; to find out more, see www.premierforest.co.uk.