27 February 2017
Becoming a BuildForce mentor
James writes: I’ve volunteered to be a mentor for BuildForce. BuildForce is a new programme to help ex-services personnel into construction and engineering. I believe I can help because I have experience of working my way up through various construction roles including general labourer site person in charge lead site person in charge and now I’m
24 February 2017
Successful audit update to 2015 standards
We have successfully made the transition to the new BS EN ISO 9001:2015 and 14001:2015 standards. These replace the previous BS EN ISO 9001: 2008 quality management and BS EN ISO 14001:2004 environmental standards. The new standards formalise and improve our planning to address risks and opportunities throughout our business. They cover the scope of
8 February 2017
VGC wishes Mike a happy retirement
VGC Cole Hire has said farewell to Mike Buckingham on his retirement. As director, Mike has managed the vehicle rental business for 26 years. “During this time, Mike has offered a very professional and personal service to all our customers, both internal and external,” said Sean Fitzpatrick, VGC executive chairman. Nicki Mason has been promoted
27 January 2017
Rail engineering apprentices’ careers on track with VGC
Apprentices from the College of Haringey, Enfield and North East London (CONEL) have reached the first milestone in their new careers. They will return to the college for the day on Friday 27 January, as part of their NVQ qualification process. The apprentices joined VGC Group last autumn. Each was placed within a skilled team,
26 January 2017
VGC sponsors BuildForce launch event
VGC Group is a key launch sponsor of BuildForce, a new initiative to connect service leavers with opportunities in construction and engineering. BuildForce will officially ‘go live’ at an industry event in the Fusiliers Museum at the Tower of London on Tuesday 31 January. Over 150 industry and military contacts will discuss how offering trageted
20 January 2017
Our new charity for 2017: Samaritans
VGC will be supporting Samaritans in 2017. “We are proud to have a large and incredibly diverse workforce at VGC. The issues which Samaritans can help people with can affect anyone, regardless of their background,” said Ciara Pryce, Group Services director. “We want to increase the awareness of these issues amongst our colleagues, signpost them
16 January 2017
Client compliments and thanks
John writes: I’m pleased to say that we’ve had a number of compliments from satisfied clients recently, especially regarding the work done over the holiday period. Resignalling Network Rail Andy Gallimore, Siemens installation supervisor, sent an email about one of our civils gangs: “During the commissioning over Christmas here in Manchester I had the privilege
21 December 2016
Our Christmas work teams
Thank you to everyone working over the Christmas holidays. We have a number of people working night and day instead of celebrating with family and friends, and we are grateful to them. “Thank you to all the people who will be giving up time with their family and friends,” said Laurence Mckidd, managing director. “This
25 November 2016
A second Network Rail Star for VGC's Crossrail Anglia team
At a site meeting on 7 November, Dave Ditchfield of Network Rail presented a Star award to VGC’s site agent Carlos Allca. This is VGC’s second on the Crossrail Anglia project. The award acknowledged excellent practice by the VGC Rail Projects team, measured by audit, inspection and testing the workers on site. Carlos’s team doing
14 October 2016
Supply Chain Sustainability School BCI awards win
The Supply Chain Sustainability School, of which VGC is a gold level partner, has won the Best Practice in Procurement award at the 2016 British Construction Industry Awards. The BCI awards recognise excellence in specialisms that contribute to overall project success. Over 1,200 people attended the awards ceremony on 12 October at the Grosvenor House
30 September 2016
We're shortlisted for two Construction Investing in Talent awards
VGC has been selected as a finalist in two categories in the 2016 Construction Investing in Talent Awards. We are among the finalists in the categories ‘Best Place to Work’ and ‘Best Retention Strategy’. We are one of nine companies shortlisted for ‘Best Place to Work’, and one of only two in ‘Best Retention Strategy’.
19 September 2016
Bobby Hayre, Eng Tech (MICE)
Bobby Hayre, who joined VGC as a graduate engineer, has been accepted as a member of the Institution of Civil Engineers. After an interview with the ICE professional reviews panel, they recommended he be accepted as an engineering technician member of ICE. He can now use the letters Eng Tech (MICE) after his name. “The
