Category 9: Investment in Workforce Training and Development
Building companies that offer their employees opportunities to improve their skills for the benefit of their business, their customers and the industry
Organisation: Conlon Construction Ltd, Preston, Lancashire
The Investment in Workforce Training and Development category is new this year and was introduced as part of the Federation of Master Builders’ commitment to improving the competence and qualifications of those working in the construction industry. We are delighted that the Award is supported by CSCS, who provided expert judges for this category.
The regional winners were selected because the judges felt that they showed the most demonstrable business benefits for their investment in workforce training and development. These benefits were diverse. They included increased turnover, community development, helping contractors to get on to new tender lists, securing partnering agreements or inclusion on Local Authority framework contracts, as well as improving staff morale and retention. What they all had in common was that the investment they had made and continue to make is helping their business to be more robust, so that it is in better shape to weather the storm of the current uncertain climate and thrive in the future.
The national winner, Preston-based Conlon Construction, employs over 100 people and provides a wide range of training for its employees. These include further education and NVQ’s, health & safety and technical courses, as well as management development and CPD opportunities, averaging 7 days training for every employee each year.
The company, which operates throughout the North West on both private and public sector contracts, has increased its turnover by 400% over the past five years, with around half of this coming from partnering contracts. In addition, the average value of the projects it works on has grown significantly.
However, Conlon Construction was not chosen for the amount of training that it provides, but for the way in which it identifies training needs for the benefit of individuals and the growth of the business.
As part of its annual performance review process, the company draws up a training plan covering all its employees. They look at each individual’s requirements, not only to ensure they work competently and with an appropriate awareness of health and safety, but also so that they can contribute to the company’s business objectives. This is submitted to ConstructionSkills, allowing the company to claim financial help with training for all its employees. Where appropriate its training programmes are shared with its supply chain, benefiting the whole workforce that goes on to its clients’ sites.
With a company target of 10%, it is all the more impressive that 14% of Conlon Construction’s site-based workforce are currently apprentices – and a very impressive retention rate of 90% has been achieved.
This clearly demonstrates an approach that works for the business and for the people who work for Conlon Construction, reinforced by the fact that the average length of service of Conlon’s staff is 13 and a half years.
The investment Conlon Construction has made and continues to make in its workforce training is helping the business to be more robust and in the best shape possible to survive and thrive.
