15 June 2016
Things to remember if you're recruiting
Matt writes: If you’re recruiting, remember: you need to be an attractive employer. The latest State of Trade Survey by Build UK (online pdf) describes how shortages are now intensifying among white collar staff. Contractors report problems recruiting supervisors, managerial, professional and technical staff. The main reasons stated for the difficulties in filling vacancies were
12 May 2016
Partnership supports trainees into rail career
We have offered primary sponsorship to twelve trainees from Newcastle College’s specialist rail academy. The agreement followed successful work experience arranged for the students during a blockade on the Tyne and Wear Metro. VGC operations manager Tommy Hunter managed the trainees on work for TxM on the Nexus £90 million Tyne and Wear phase 2
29 April 2016
Building a badger sett
Michael writes: We’ve been working on an unusual and rather interesting project – an artificial badger sett. As part of our works at Crossrail Anglia for principal contractor Costain, we were asked to install a sett for a colony of badgers. The existing sett was discovered next to the sidings at Shenfield where new track
5 April 2016
LSE's '1000 companies to inspire Britain'
VGC Group is included in the London Stock Exchange report ‘1000 companies to Inspire Britain’. This report identifies the UK’s fastest-growing and most dynamic small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs). To be included in the list, companies needed to show consistent revenue growth over a minimum of three years. They have also all outperformed their sector
30 March 2016
Thanks for Easter works effort
Thank you to the many VGC workers who put in long hours over the Easter weekend. Most people spent the weekend hunting eggs, going to church, and spending time with family and friends. However, over 560 VGC team members were working full shifts to ensure planned works were successfully completed. The VGC team completed extensive
14 March 2016
National Apprenticeship Week 2016
This week (14 – 18 March) is National Apprenticeship Week. The week is co-ordinated by the National Apprenticeship Service – it is designed to celebrate apprenticeships and the positive impact they have on individual people, businesses and the wider economy. VGC has more than 50 apprentices working on NVQ level 2 and 3 placements across
26 January 2016
EGIP improves lives as well as Scotland’s rail links
The Edinburgh to Glasgow Improvement Programme (EGIP) is a £742 million investment to upgrade key Scottish rail infrastructure. At the same time, it is bringing new career opportunities to local people. Chris Turner, David Aikenhead and Robert Clark are among a group of new recruits who have started new long-term careers in rail with the
20 January 2016
Energy management system ISO 50001 confirmed
Following a stringent audit, VGC has achieved ISO 50001 certification. This certification means that we satisfy the legal requirements of ESOS, the Energy Savings Opportunity Scheme, which is mandatory for all large UK businesses. ESOS was introduced in the UK as a result of the European Commission’s Energy Efficiency Directive. This states that all EU
3 January 2016
Shortlisted for corporate social responsibility award
We’re proud to have been shortlisted for the UK Rail Industry Awards in the corporate social responsibility category. VGC’s entry is one of only seven to have been shortlisted from among a wide range of entrants, representing substantial competition. The shortlisting panel noted our achievement of ISO 50001 certification in energy management, as well as
3 January 2016
Supply chain gold status for VGC
VGC is one of only 12 companies who have been awarded gold status in the Supply Chain Sustainability School. The Supply Chain Sustainability School is a collective of 35 leading construction and engineering companies, sharing knowledge and resources to improve sustainability in the industry. The school has more than 10,000 members, to which it offers
22 December 2015
Thanks to Christmas holiday workers
The VGC offices will be closed from 23 December until 4 January. However, a number of dedicated VGC people will be working over Christmas and New Year. These people are giving up time with their family and friends to carry out work on important infrastructure and transport works, and we thank them all most sincerely.
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
