4 September 2014

Costain’s commitment to improving the skills of its workforce and engaging with schools has once again been highlighted by the results of the National Skills Academy for Construction (NSAfC) set up at the Severn Trent Water (STW) AMP5 Framework.

At the end of its second year the NSAfC hit 97% of the key performance indicators set by the Construction Industry Training Board (CITB), achieving a seven per cent improvement on its first year performance.

Targets exceeded included the number of jobs advertised locally, schools engagement and accredited training and short courses for subcontractors’ teams. The NSAfC also scored well on training for the Costain workforce, achieving more than 200 Accredited Training and just under 200 Short Course accreditations, easily beating the target for each category of just over 60. Targets met included NVQ starts and completions for subcontractor staff.

“Our training went exceptionally well this year, with all training targets exceeded,” said Sarah Allez, Project Skills Co-ordinator. “We also utilised training matrixes from our supply chain to help us gather information such as qualifications held by both existing members of the workforce and new workers on site.”

The NSAfC also had considerable success in its engagement with young people.  “We reached more than 500 young people through careers events, and worked with schools across the STW region on curriculum related activities,” said Sarah. “This gave us some wonderful opportunities to engage with pupils who had expressed an interest in the construction and engineering industry.”

A highlight of the year was The Prince’s Trust ‘Get into Construction’ course. Costain and supply chain volunteers from across the Framework gave their time to help 12 unemployed young men find a career path. At the last count, six are now employed.

Said Sarah: “I am really pleased with what we have achieved this year. I would like to say a huge thank you to everyone on the Framework. It is their enthusiasm and engagement that has made the National Skills Academy for Construction such a success, and great fun to run!”

Ends

 

Enquiries:

Costain 
Tel: 01628 842444
Graham Read, Communications Director 

Instinctif Partners
Tel: 020 7457 2020
Helen Tarbet