In October 2005 we achieved Investors in People Recognition. The demonstraties our ongoing commitment to the training and development of our employees and the benefits of this can be seen in our low staff turnover. Read More

In October 2005 we achieved Investors in People Recognition. This demonstrates our ongoing commitment to the training and development of our employees and the benefits of this can be seen in our low staff turnover.

In November '05 all our management team underwent a bespoke Management Development Programme where all our management and project staff participated in specific training in the art of management, specifically in the construction industry. We wanted to empower our management team to manage our sites and teams more efficiently. With contracts needing to be completed even faster, than ever before and clients increasing expectations from us, our managers needed to have a new set of softer management skills to perform to the best of their abilities and fulfil these requirements.

The course ran over one year, tailor made to address our own needs. We have found the following benefits for our business:

•  Improved communication – both internally and externally

•  More regular meetings with definite outcomes and goals

•  Health and safety consultation and improvement

•  Introduction of an induction procedure for all employees

•  Introduction of a formal appraisal system

•  More effective team management

All our management team have participated in Waste Management training with Environwise to ensure we are actively managing our environmental policy on all our sites.

We currently employ four apprentices from the local area who attend Hopwood Hall and Oldham College . We carefully monitor their training whilst working closely with their college tutors to ensure they gain the appropriate onsite training. Our Supervisors have all participated in Work Based Recorder Training at Oldham College so that they fully understand the NVQ qualification and are able to help the apprentices collect their work based evidence. In 2006 one of our apprentices, Craig Doogan, gained the Apprentice of the Year from The South East Lancashire Construction Association.

We annually appraise all our staff to look at their individual training and development needs for the following year.

We operate a Staff Reward Scheme where site staff are nominated by their Supervisors for a ‘Thank You' voucher which acknowledges their hard work and the contribution they make to the company. This is carried out at our monthly management meetings.

We employ all our staff from the local community and we have an active Equal Opportunity Policy which we promote to all our employees and potential employees.

Community Involvement

We sponsor the football team kit, school trip caps and we have recently sponsored a trip to Lourdes for students at St. Cuthbert's High School in Rochdale .

We encouraged a local primary school to participate in the National Federation of Builders ‘Stay Safe Stay Away From Building Sites' campaign.

We work with Heywood Community High School to promote job opportunities for school leavers within the construction industry and offer advice on apprenticeships.

Sub-Contractor Partners

We have developed a partnering culture with our sub-contractors and have a long standing working relationship with them. In reflection of our close working relationship with them we no longer stop retentions and in return we have found this has encouraged a zero, or minimum defects culture. We also ensure that savings made on our projects are shared with our clients, including sub-contractor savings. We follow open book accounting procedures. By doing this everyone who works as part of our team benefits from identifying opportunities to save both time and money, adding value to the service we provide.