We are delighted to have been shortlisted for a Construction News Award for Training Excellence.
This award is for a company which has shown ‘a positive and progressive approach to training and developing staff.’ The judging criteria included
- outcomes and benefits of training
- time allocated to training
- embedded training culture among staff and inspirational leadership
- long-term commitment to training and upskilling of staff.
Our award entry was a summary of what the VGC Academy has been doing since January 2020.
The VGC Academy covers apprenticeships, technical training, our industry-leading behavioural safety programme Be Safe by Choice, our ICE-approved graduate scheme and our behavioural competency development programme, set up in 2019. The whole programme is designed to help staff be the best they can be.
Our behavioural programme helps every employee and their manager compare themselves to the expected performance level for their role. They examine the successful behaviours shown on the behavioural profiles to see where they might improve. Then they can use tailored development plans to reach their career goals.
The CITB awarded us a leadership and management grant in October 2020. The grant is supporting us to continue to develop the programme. It has helped us to deliver 235 VGC Academy leadership training days in 2021 so far. These covered foundation, intermediate, management and leadership courses.
The construction industry will need more people to deliver the government’s ambitious infrastructure plans. VGC Academy training will help the industry, by increasing the pool of individuals with collaboration and leadership skills. Positive messages will filter through to the wider market. They will attract new entrants with diverse backgrounds to work together to meet the needs of a modern Britain.
Awards next step
Head of HR Laura Perry and consultant Beccy McCartney will present to the judging panel (virtually) on 16 July. They’ll also hear from our fellow shortlisted companies in the Training Excellence category – Balfour Beatty, EE Smith Contracts, Exyte Hargreaves, Ferrovial Construction, Fortel Group, and Sabre Jetting Services. The winners will be announced at an awards event on 25 Sept 2021 at the Grosvenor House Hotel.
VGC won the Diversity and Inclusion Excellence award last year, based on our Go Beyond the Gates programme.
