Wavin, based in Blackfordby, has introduced initiatives specifically designed for young families and will also cover 50 per cent of their childcare costs until their kids are school age.

The firm says its greatest asset is its staff and it wants to support workers with young families, especially during the cost of living crisis.

Mike Ward, Wavin UK and Ireland territory director, said: “Our people are our greatest asset. They're the ones behind the innovative solutions we develop for our customers and, if there’s anything holding them back from making the most of their careers, we want to help.

“A big part of this is about supporting young families, and in particular women who we know as a group are disproportionately impacted by the rising costs of childcare. Our industry has worked hard to combat perceptions around being male-orientated, so we want to do everything we can to continue supporting underrepresented groups.”

Other company initiatives include female-specific coaching and mentoring programmes, as well as a menopause support group that meets regularly to share experiences and its conversations will also help shape future company policies around women's health.

Wavin says it is also supporting the next generation of talent by launching a graduate and internship programmes which helped more than 25 people, with 50 per cent going on to become permanent staff members.