The three-year partnership will bring together the expertise of both organisations to support the development of local talent, promote sustainable construction practices, and create meaningful social value across South East London and Kent.
McAleer & Rushe is a highly respected design and build contractor with more than 59 years of industry experience, known for delivering major projects across the UK and Ireland. Through this collaboration, students will gain valuable insights into the construction sector while benefiting from enhanced employability opportunities.
Creating opportunities for our students.
The partnership will support students through a range of activities including:
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- Placement and internship opportunities for Construction Management and related students.
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- Exploration of degree apprenticeship opportunities.
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- Industry mentoring from McAleer & Rushe professionals.
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- Guest lectures across Construction Management, Architecture and Quantity Surveying programmes.
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- Site visits to local projects, including developments on Greenwich Peninsula.
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- Participation in careers fairs and employability activities.
Students will also have the opportunity to engage with industry through advisory boards, networking opportunities and collaborative projects designed to strengthen links between education and practice.
Driving sustainability and innovation
Sustainability sits at the heart of the partnership, reflecting a shared commitment to creating a more environmentally responsible and resilient built environment. Through this collaboration, the University of Greenwich and McAleer & Rushe will work together to advance sustainable construction practices, champion net zero ambitions and drive innovation across the sector. By combining industry expertise with academic research and teaching, the partnership will explore new approaches to reducing carbon emissions, improving resource efficiency and supporting the adoption of greener technologies.
Joint activities will include support for Green Week, community engagement programmes and the development of hackathons in collaboration with the Business School Generator team, encouraging students to address real-world sustainability challenges.
Delivering social value
A key element of the partnership is a shared commitment to generating measurable social value. Working together, both organisations will identify, capture and report on the positive impact of their activities, ensuring benefits for students, communities and the wider region are visible and quantifiable.
The partnership aligns with the university’s mission to create opportunities, build partnerships and deliver impact, while supporting our commitment to developing graduates who are equipped to thrive in a competitive global market.
Mary Ivers, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Fundraising, will lead the partnership on behalf of the University, working closely with colleagues across faculties and professional services to maximise opportunities for students and staff. “We’re proud to partner with McAleer & Rushe to build on our shared ambition of creating opportunities, driving innovation and delivering meaningful impact for the communities we serve.” Mary Ivers, Associate Director of Strategic Partnerships and Fundraising
Kevin Hughes, Training & Development Manager at McAleer & Rushe said;
“We are delighted to partner with the University of Greenwich to create new opportunities for students looking to build a career in construction. As an industry, it is important that we continue to invest in developing the skills and experience of the people who will shape our future, and partnerships such as this provide a valuable connection between education and the workplace.
We look forward to sharing our experience with local students and supporting the University through placements, site visits, mentoring and other industry-led initiatives. We are also keen to explore how we can work together on sustainability and social value, using our experience from projects across the UK to support positive change within the industry and the communities in which we operate.”
