Aecom’s Passion Projects

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Aecom’s Passion Projects
Village Project: AECOM will help install a solar-powered water purification system that will supply the entire village of Darhi Ram in India.

Century City-based engineering and construction company AECOM is out to appeal to the social consciousness of millennials with a grant program that pays for travel, accommodations, and wages for employees to work on basic infrastructure projects around the world.

The Blueprint Travel Grant Program has so far funded efforts by AECOM employees on volunteer efforts in conjunction with 25 projects by nonprofits in 15 countries. The projects range from the installation of solar-powered water purification systems to building schoolhouses, and generally occupy the volunteers for about two weeks.

The Business Journal’s Howard Fine inquired about the program in an exchange with Brendan Ranson-Walsh, AECOM’s vice president for global communications and corporate responsibility, and edited excerpts of the Q&A follow.

Question: Why did AECOM launch the Blueprint Travel Grant Program?

Answer: This program is designed to leverage the strengths and expertise of the company and our professionals to drive social impact, which is consistent with our purpose: “Built to deliver a better world.” We launched this program to both recognize and financially support employees who go above and beyond to make a difference and positively impact the world.

What is the role of the AECOM employees for each of these grants?

The program gives our people the opportunity to partner with a nonprofit of their choosing. The nonprofits take the lead role on the projects, while our employees utilize their technical expertise to provide pro bono support.

How has AECOM selected the grant projects? Did employees bring the projects to the company? What criteria were used to pick the projects?

We opened this up to our people to apply for volunteer services projects with any nonprofit organization they felt passionate about. They submitted proposals, which were evaluated against the criteria of strategic fit, impact, innovation, comprehensiveness and eligibility by company leadership, subject matter experts and other AECOM employees. Examples of projects approved for this first round of grants include providing access to clean drinking water in Paraxaj, Guatemala, with Engineers Without Borders or working with Habitat for Humanity in Nepal.

How much cumulatively is spent onthese 25 grants? Is an estimate of around $5 million about right? And do the grants cover only the employees’ residency costs in the host country or do they also cover the cost of the projects?

We’re not disclosing our financial commitment. What I can tell you is AECOM will make a donation directly to the nonprofit organization, around a specific campaign or project, to support our employee’s participation in the volunteer service trip. Costs may include travel, lodging, materials, supplies, and in-country logistical support, depending on the project. 

Are these grant projects intended to boost AECOM’s chances for contracts in these countries?

There are no tie-ins to contracts or business opportunities for AECOM. This effort is 100 percent employee driven, based on the nonprofit partners they chose to work with. We have no additional input on where the projects are based or what they entail. Those decisions are made by the nonprofit organization. There is absolutely no quid-pro-quo in this program.

Is this program a recruiting tool or a way to make infrastructure more appealing for millennial employees?

Studies show that an overwhelming amount of millennials note that their job is more fulfilling when provided opportunities to make a positive impact on social and environmental issues. Our hope is this program and our other corporate responsibility initiatives will show individuals interested in the industry that we’re bringing the company’s purpose to life and that STEM (science, technology, engineering and math) goes beyond technology.

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