One company is encouraging its employees to pick up their
concreting tools and
brick trowels to learn more about construction.
Costain has concerns that many of its managerial engineers and supervisors do not have a suitable knowledge of quality workmanship, Construction Enquirer reports.
As a result, it is sending graduate trainees, site managers and package managers on a two-year programme of training courses organised by the National Construction College.
Costain technical director Bill Hewlett explained that because contracting is changing, fewer people in managerial positions have the kind of knowledge that can be gained by working up through various trades.
"Since the introduction of the training we are already seeing measurable effect from its implementation giving us greater productivity," he added.
Meanwhile, Alex Webster, a senior partner at Essential Earthmen, recently told South Devon's Herald Express that competitions such as the WorldSkills UK Landscape Gardening contest can encourage apprentices to pay attention to detail in their work.
Posted by Andrew Miles
