Development and training
We know how important it is to nurture a skills base if we are to achieve our mid- and long-term goals. In 2008, we launched two skills development programmes for graduates and apprentices to develop talent across a wide range of business disciplines. We also took part in the Construction Skills Inspire Scholarship programme. As well as developing new talent, we are committed to training our people so they are safe on-site.
Going forward, we have had to make some cutbacks in our training programmes, which we have tried to minimise. As the economic environment improves, we will once more be able to increase our Graduate and Apprentice programmes.
To help secure our long-term future, we must attract and retain skilled individuals, and encourage new talent into the industry.
Construction Skills Certification Scheme
We continue to see positive results in the CSCS scheme, which demands a minimum level of occupational competence to receive a card. Crest requires that all site workers to be carded. Following the last audit in September 2008 we achieved 100% carding of direct employees (FY07 84%) and 97% of indirect employees (FY07 65%).
This year's initiatives to improve uptake of qualifications and cards include contractual requirements, on-site procedures and site league tables.
Achieved 100% carding of direct employees, 97% of indirect employees
Apprenticeship Programme
During 2008 we employed 16 apprentices, on a fixed term contract for a programme lasting for three years. Each apprentice receives continuous support from a local college at which they attend classes and regular assessments are held with a representative from ConstructionSkills, the Sector Skills Council and Industry Training Board for the construction industry.
Our aim is to provide practical, work-based projects to support the coursework, and to enable them to gain an NVQ Level 3 qualification. While on-site they are supervised by a sub-contract tradesman and the site management team; they remain directly employed by Crest Nicholson for the duration of their apprenticeship.
Once qualified we hope they will remain with the subcontractor with whom they served their apprenticeship, and all five who completed their NVQ in July 08 went on to gain employment within their preferred trade. Currently there are another 14 pursuing NVQ qualifications in trades such as painting and decorating, carpentry, bricklaying, plumbing, and plastering.
Best Brickie in Britain
While completing his apprenticeship as a bricklayer on our Chelmsford site, Matt Elsden scooped first prize in the senior section of the CITB SkillBuild competition in April 2008, beating competition from several other colleges in the Eastern region.
Matt was then entered into a three-day contest against other regional winners from across the UK, in a bid to be crowned best student ‘brickie' in Britain. At the national final in October 2008, Matt came a very respectable 4th, out of the 50 top apprentices from across the UK.
Sponsored by Crest Nicholson Eastern with the CITB Matt successfully completed his apprenticeship and ICA/AC/NVQ qualifications in 2008. We are delighted that Matt continues to work on the Chelmsford site, alongside the same subcontractor with whom he completed his apprenticeship.
Graduate Programme
Joe Fidler graduated from Nottingham Trent University with a degree in Planning and Property Development. He joined Crest Nicholson Regeneration on a rotational training programme where he is gaining the breadth of experience needed to fulfil a permanent position in the development team. Joe is in the process of completing his Assessment of Professional Compliance through the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
"Crest Nicholson's graduate programme has allowed me to gain valuable practical experience where I have been given lots of responsibility and encouraged to make a real contributions to projects."
Joe Fidler
The Construction Skills Inspire Scholarship
Crest Nicholson took part in the Inspire Scholarship Scheme, which was created by ConstructionSkills to address the lack of suitably skilled and qualified staff in the sector. The scheme aims to match motivated students with employers who recognise the benefits of engaging staff at an early stage of their career. Working in partnership with ConstructionSkills, Crest Nicholson took on two Inspire Scholarship students during the year, Lee Askew and Kelly Hamer.
Lee Askew is studying for an MSc in Land Management in Urban Development and Planning at Reading University. She worked within Crest Nicholson South.
"Being with Crest's land department has enabled me to experience the whole development process at work."
Kelly Hamer is at Nottingham Trent University reading Real Estate Management. She worked within the Sustainability Team and completed a study on employee engagement to reduce carbon emissions.
"Crest gave me a programme full of challenge which has really helped me to understand my career options."
"Crest Nicholson have been a great supporter of the Inspire scholarship programme having been involved since its inception in 2005. The Group have sponsored 4 students which is a fantastic achievement. Without the support of developers such as Crest Nicholson we would not be able to support so many graduates in the pursuit of a career within the construction industry."
Paul Sykes, Head of Recruitment and Careers, Construction Skills
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