15 December 2015
Track partnership apprentices
VGC has comfortably exceeded the ambitious 2015 target of more than five apprentices per 100 workers. Over 50 people are doing NVQs on the Track Partnership contract, and other apprentices are working on projects including Crossrail. Another group of apprentices is due to start shortly. VGC’s apprenticeship programme starts with 13 weeks of classroom and
12 November 2015
Constructing Better Health medicals
Julie writes: Since VGC started work on the Crossrail projects, we have placed 100% of the workforce based at Bond Street station on Constructing Better Health (CBH) medicals. By conducting regular health checks for the workers, we are helping to protect their safety and the safety of others. Each worker who has attended a medical
3 November 2015
Crossrail Anglia collaboration on isolation split innovation
An integrated Crossrail team has come up with an innovative solution to the problem of isolation splits. The team from Network Rail, Costain and VGC Group worked together to provide crossing neutrals for RRVs (road-rail vehicles) to travel under live overhead line equipment (OLE). Because it is impractical to switch off too large an area
7 September 2015
VGC selected for Network Rail framework
VGC Rail Projects has been selected as part of Network Rail’s LNW (London North West) CP5 Civils framework. Network Rail London North Western Route plans to place approximately £70 million worth of civil engineering projects for the next 3 – 5 years within this framework. The framework will also provide VGC Rail Projects with opportunities
3 September 2015
New training partnership, new careers in rail
The first group of recruits from a new training partnership is about to join VGC. An innovative partnership between GP Strategies Training Limited and VGC helps unemployed people from deprived areas in Glasgow into work. The first group of seven recruits has just passed their PTS (personal track safety) qualification; they are about to begin
2 September 2015
ICE Fellowship for VGC director
VGC non-executive director Bob Webb has been accepted as a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers. The Institution of Civil Engineers (ICE) grade of Fellow is the most senior grade of ICE membership. It is reserved for senior civil engineers who have made a significant contribution to the civil engineering profession, and are engaged
29 July 2015
VGC wins Costain Crossrail Anglia contract
The VGC Group has begun work on a £2.3m contract with Costain to construct three key sections of the surface section of the Crossrail Anglia route. The £150 million north-east spur project will prepare the railway between east London and Essex for the start of Crossrail services in 2018. The 16.4-mile section from Stratford, east
6 July 2015
Rail Academy award winners
The results of the inaugural Rail Academy Student Awards 2015 have been announced. The awards celebrate the achievements of Newcastle College students during the past academic year. The VGC Group sponsored the following awards: the Practical Work Ethic award – rewarding a student who has showed an outstanding work ethic, team work, and mental and
29 June 2015
Qualifications for over 70 VGC workers
Twenty VGC workers have been given Persons and BESC training, and over 50 more are gaining specialist NVQ qualifications. This investment in people ensures continuity of work, and gives VGC the flexibility to support its range of clients. A group of workers finishing up a project in NW London have been given training to equip
22 June 2015
HSQE expert promoted to director
John Hannan has been promoted to HSQE director for the VGC Group. Terry Dutton-Wells, our previous HSQE director, is stepping back from his operational responsibilities to become a non-executive director. A dedicated health and safety expert, with a range of safety qualifications and a wealth of experience, John (pictured left) joined VGC as HSQE manager
11 June 2015
VGC wins Infrastructure 21 Training award
The VGC Group has won the Training category in the inaugural Infrastructure 21 awards, which recognise best practice in key supply chain competencies. The awards are part of a new Leadership programme by CECA (Civil Engineering Contractors Association) and New Civil Engineer which has identified six areas of importance for the future of civil engineering.
9 June 2015
VGC helps move 5G research forward
VGC Construction is providing bases and cable routes for the ground-breaking 5G Innovation Centre at the University of Surrey, which aims to become the world’s premiere 5G research centre. Due to open in autumn 2015, the new £70 million dedicated 5G Innovation Centre on the University’s Stag Hill campus will be home to over 150
