Oct - 2007: Tradesmen wanted to join our team!
We have secured many contracts around the Kent area and require new tradesmen to join our team of highly motivated operatives:
- Tackers
- MF Ceiling fixers
- Stickers (Dot & Dab)
- Metal Studders
- Jointers (Hand & Machine)
- Making Good
You will be required to supply your own tools and generators. Experienced tradesmen need only apply. Good rates of pay to local tradesmen.
Please contact us on 01634 263 121.
Local work for local tradesme
April - 2007: Construction Industry Builds Its Own Credibility
Kent construction firms raise industry standards and reap rewards
Press Release 2 April 2007
Construction firms have been on the receiving end of bad press in the past with stories of poor delivery and cowboy builders bringing the industry into disrepute. That all looks set to change as Kent-based construction firms spearhead a boost in professionalism via a combination of programmes which are making a real difference to performance, motivation and that all-important bottom line.
ConstructionSkills and SCA Ltd., Performance Consulting and Change Management, are working together to help construction firms build their business through the Blueprint for Building Performance Programme, which also covers the Investors in People (IiP) award, in an effort to raise the standards within the industry and offer a better deal for employees.
The Programme is a business improvement package specifically tailored for the construction sector and designed for directors and owner-managers. It has been developed by SCA Ltd. in collaboration with key construction organisations and construction firms of all sizes.
Construction companies currently undertaking the IiP standard as part of the Programme were given a valuable insight into the IiP assessment process and a chance to share best practice and learn from each other's experiences at a recent event in West Malling - run by Janet Pink of icando Ltd. who works with clients on the Programme.
John O'Connell, MD of Gillingham-based firm O'Connell's Drywall Contractors Ltd and Kevin Ryan, MD at Swanley's Moushill Contractors, were amongst those giving their advice at the event.
"As a business we lacked direction and had no solid systems and processes in place," said John, whose company gained recognition as an IiP on its first assessment just nine months after starting the Blueprint for Building Performance Programme. In that time they have seen noticeable changes.
"Since completing the Programme and receiving accreditation we have regular two-way communication with all employees, a formal procedure for regular appraisals and a structured training plan. All of this has led to a more successful business including a 33% increase in sales last year and a happier workforce - our employee satisfaction survey showed an increase of 23% for the year," commented John.
"The Blueprint Programme showed me that the benefits of staff buy-in are very important and, after IiP recognition, we are seeing the outcome of a more positive approach. You have to put the value of your staff into perspective and the way in which I now manage my team has definitely influenced the success we are currently enjoying," he added.
The positive effects of the Blueprint for Building Performance Programme and IiP are also evident throughout the business at Redec in Ashford where Director Chris Moore's employees are reaping the benefits of a more effective and participative management style.
Name of employee said: "There's a lot more communication about where the company is going and we are more of a team than we were before. The managers listen to us and we discuss the best way of doing things as a team and if we need to learn new techniques then we all receive the relevant training."
"From a business perspective, the Blueprint for Building Performance Programme has been great - our staff turnover has fallen and our bottom line has improved because by working smarter we are able to win more business," commented Chris.
"Thanks to a deeper analysis of our performance against our key performance indicators we are able to reinforce the link between everyone's efforts and the achievement of key company targets," he added.
John Cox, MD of SCA and author and deliverer of the Blueprint Programme, said: "The construction industry is not famed for its performance and it is not known for embracing change. The Blueprint for Building Performance Programme helps businesses get more out of their people by developing the skills of senior management whose management styles can sometimes be autocratic and adversarial, traits often found in the industry.
"Participation in the Blueprint Programme has huge benefits for any company including better cost control, improved motivation, productivity and profitability, reduced employee turnover and higher client satisfaction.
"All companies that have undertaken the IiP Standard in conjunction with the Programme have gone on to become more professional and profitable businesses. Achieving the Standard is the icing on the cake"
Dec - 2006: Investors in People status in just 9 months!
Quotations from the assessors report:
"The organisation impressively has a pre and post training procedure. Managers and people could therefore give examples of how learning and development had improved the performance of the organisation."
"The Company demonstrated that it is using a broad range of development activities including; qualifications (NVQ's), internal and external training, on job training, coaching, shadowing, etc."
"People spoke of the supportive management style within the company and that people were prepared to make time and listen."
"With the NVQ's the first thing you notice is how they apply all the Health and Safety requirements. The standard of their work constantly improves. They are conscious of what they should be doing."
Membership of the Federation of Plastering and Drywall Contractors, the British Safety Council and recognition of Investors in People clearly demonstrate that we are committed to 'best practice' in our industry.