In recognition of our corporate social responsibility, the Student Loans Company continuallyseeks opportunities to produce a positive impact on our employees, the community and the environment through our business operation. Our Company endeavours to promote a willingness to be aware of, respect and respond to the interests and needs of others.
Community
Our community investment takes the form of charitable donations, staff time and skills, plus donations in kind. This year the work that we do to support the Careers Service in Scotland moved into business as usual within our Learning & Development department and recently more than 40 colleagues went back to school to help with Industry Awareness days.
SLC has also been giving direct support to some of the worst performing schools in Glasgow under the City’s ‘Closing the Gap’ initiative. We have managers helping school heads with business initiatives, and we regularly host visits of groups from schools and colleges and individuals looking for work experience.
The Student Loans Company is a member of Scottish Business in the Community(SBC).
Environment
Our Facilities Department manage rigorous energy saving and recycling programmes. Supported by regular promotional campaigns, they underline our determination to be prudent with resources and ever mindful of our need to minimise waste.
SLC only buys paper that is 100% degradable and recyclable and that has come from sustainable sources. Waste paper recycling facilities are available throughout all our offices.
Our Procurement team issues a questionnaire to prospective suppliers on their environmental practice. Along with their offers, they are invited to return a copy of their environmental policies on areas such as raw materials used, energy, effluents, packaging and waste disposal. Where the prospective supplier is not the manufacturer of the equipment the information requested should be submitted from the manufacturer.
SLC subscribes to the Carbon Trust’s energy conservation initiatives.
Workforce
SLC’s employment policies not only cover the traditional areas of recruitment, remuneration and training, but also issues such as equal opportunities, diversity and work/life balance. Our Company encourages and supports employees’ commitment to charitable causes.
Each year the Company focuses its main support on two registered charities, providing time and resource to the associated appeals. For 2006-07 we have chosen Children in Need and the Yorkhill Children’s Foundation.