18 June 2018
Kim prepares for a week on site
As VGC Group’s women in construction champion, I’m responsible for attracting women to the industry. Although I deliver many presentations on this subject I’ve decided that I’d like to get some hands-on experience so that I can give the women I talk to an honest insight. I want to do a week’s experience on a
12 June 2018
Observations lead to fewer incidents
Our key influencers are making a tremendous difference everywhere they work. Since 2012 the number of observations has risen in direct proportion to the number of key influencers on site. And, as shown on the graph above left, as observations (blue) have risen, incident rates (red bars) have fallen dramatically. As trained workforce champions, our key influencers
11 June 2018
Meeting the secretary of state for work and pensions
Ciara writes: I met Secretary of State for Work and Pensions Esther McVey in Caxton House in Westminster last week. It was a very useful discussion of the labour market with key industry leaders. They included Peter Cheese, chief executive of CIPD, James Hick, MD of Manpower, Laura Hegarty, head of comms for Indeed, Chloe
18 May 2018
Ciara Pryce is one of the UK's top Modern Slavery influencers
Our group services director, Ciara Pryce, has been named one of the top 100 Modern Slavery influencers. The inaugural 2018 Annual UK Top100 Corporate Modern Slavery Influencers’ Index recognises people from all sectors who are leading awareness to end modern slavery and labour exploitation. The index was developed by BRE Group and Sustain Worldwide to recognise
16 May 2018
RIP Ron Cairns
We are deeply sorry to announce the death of former IT director Ron Cairns. Ron made a huge contribution to the development of the VGC Group business over the last 35 years. In 1983, Ron joined VGC as a consultant. He came to help with the administration of what was at the time a very
15 May 2018
Yet again, VGC is one of LSE 1000 inspiring companies
For the second time, VGC is included in the LSE’s ‘1,000 Companies to Inspire Britain’. The London Stock Exchange list is an annual celebration of some of the fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) in the UK. To be included in the list, companies needed to show consistent revenue growth over a minimum
14 May 2018
Ensuring a smooth ride for the royal wedding
We have been making sure everything is in top condition on the streets of Windsor, ahead of the royal wedding on 19 May. Our teams, led by graduate engineer Samuel Yick, have been responsible for ensuring that roads and pavements around the castle are in good order. The streets are expected to be crowded, with
11 May 2018
Supporting former Carillion suppliers and staff
Our sympathy goes out to staff and supply chains hit by Carillion’s liquidation. Fortunately, VGC has not been directly affected. “Our finance and commercial teams are reviewing our supply chain to identify any indirect exposure,” said VGC chairman Sean Fitzpatrick. “We are working with our framework partners who have been in joint ventures with Carillion
4 May 2018
Shortlisted for CECA Inspiring Change awards
We are shortlisted in two categories for the CECA Inspiring Change awards. VGC Group has been shortlisted for the Inspiring Change Award (workplace category) and Kimberley McGinty, skills and employment adviser, for the individual inspiration award. (The photograph shows Kim delivering a fairness, inclusion and respect session to some of our key influencers.) Supporting diversity
27 April 2018
My work experience at VGC
Maddy writes: I have just finished a week of work experience at VGC’s head office in Ruislip. I go to Bishop Ramsey School and am in year 10. Everyone in my year group had to complete work experience and I was struggling to find a placement. VGC reached out to my school and after I
26 April 2018
Employability event at Brixton prison
Kim writes: I went to prison last week. Tideway West invited VGC to join them at an employability skills event run by Key4Life at Brixton prison on Tuesday 17 April. Labour manager Donatus Jausicas and I were pleased to attend. Key4Life’s mission is to reduce youth reoffending. They deliver rehabilitation programmes to those in prison
18 April 2018
ELS presentation at the House of Lords
John writes: I spoke at the House of Lords yesterday about our achievement of the Ethical Labour Sourcing Standard. Baroness Young of Hornsey hosted the reception at the House of Lords to mark the launch of ELS online, a digital tool to help companies to achieve the Ethical Labour Sourcing Standard (ELS). I was delighted to
