training

Whilst we believe that all of our works should be managed by qualified and competent staff, we consider it to be equally, if not more important that the actual works should be undertaken by experienced and trained operatives. This allows us to ensure that projects are completed to the highest standard using the best available supervision and workmanship.

Ongoing training courses

A plethora of qualified managers, ranging from Chartered Engineers, both Structural and Civil, Surveyors and Builders supplemented by graduates and technicians supervise and manage our works on site. We encourage all of our staff to attain the highest level of professional qualification possible as well as undertake their required minimum amount of continuing professional development.

We recognise that National Vocational Qualifications (NVQ's) provide site staff with a very valuable entry level qualification (at level 1), leading to membership of Chartered Institutions (at level 5). Currently, we have supervisors completing their level 3 site supervisors NVQ.

We actively encourage all of our tradesmen to subscribe to the NVQ programme and accordingly we set aside a very generous training budget to assist all of our staff and operatives. We actively sit on the occupational working group, and in conjunction with the CITB and other leading contractors, have written and designed an NVQ qualification for underpinning operations. Currently, the majority of our foremen are being assessed for this level 2 qualification and to that end we have trained some of our staff as assessors for this process. Similarly, we have enrolled most of our craft operatives and tradesmen into their respective NVQ programmes for Bricklaying, Plastering, Carpentry and Painting/Decorating. Additionally, we have apprentices both in the fields of Painting/Decorating and Plumbing.

Together with trade qualifications, we consider that Health and Safety Training is of paramount importance within this industry. Our Training Programme, written to accord with our Investors in People commitment, ensures that all of our employees receive basic on site Health and Safety Awareness Training. This not only allows them access to Construction Skills Certification Cards, but also ensures that they treat all building sites as potentially hazardous and dangerous places in which to work. Since this programme, we have had significantly less on site accidents as site management and accident avoidance skills have had a major preventive affect. All of our managers and supervisors also attend these courses on a regular basis.

Recently we have embarked upon a programme to ensure that all of our sites have at least one, if not more, operatives trained in the changing of abrasive wheels, manual handling and first aid.

Finally, we encourage all of our back office and administration staff to undergo pertinent training leading to qualifications within their particular fields of expertise. Our accounts department is headed by a Chartered Accountant, and employs both time served and qualified bookkeepers and credit controllers. Our buying department employs experienced staff and trainees working towards their Institute of Purchasing and Supply membership. We have a commitment towards IT and actively encourage all staff members to become familiar with basic IT skills and eventually towards specialist structural design and CAD programmes.

We recognise the importance of correct training and can certainly see the benefits that derive from it. We sincerely believe that training allows us to increase the quality of our product and with our qualified, experienced and trained team, enables us to give our clients the 'total solution'.