CLADDING & SHEETING
< from our economy through the collapse
of Carillion – further compromising the
modest margins that our sector makes.
At M+W Hargreaves, anticipating
future opportunities for higher
competence, we have launched our
Enterprise Talent Programme, which
focuses on continuous development of
talent vertically through the business.
We also have a ‘Suitably Qualified &
Experienced Personnel’ register for all
staff, which we use as an important
talent management tool.
We have also just taken on another
eight new apprentices through our
Engineering Young Talent Programme.
Set up in 2012, the programme works
with schools in our local area to enthuse
young people about engineering careers.
Initially aimed at students between the
ages of nine and 21, it is now engaging
even younger children at primary school,
and we are also working at the other end
on degree-based apprenticeships with
Salford University.
Our course ‘alumni’ have all followed
a programme through different stages
of their school lives – and the best are
eventually offered apprenticeships by the
company.
I have a vision and expect that, by
2023, 30% of our entire workforce will
have come through the Engineering
Young Talent Programme. All will have
followed a highly practical, very focused
education path equipping them with
the modern skills they need to meet the
increasingly complex challenges our
industry faces.
I would recommend our model to
other building services and broader
construction employers because it
enables you to track those children
who show the greatest aptitude for
engineering tasks from a very early stage
right through to secondary education;
into an apprenticeship; and then onto
further education.
It works well on a local level and
supports your profile as a respected
local employer. We would love to see
Engineering Young Talent Programmes
set up by other building engineering
firms all over the country – and we are
going to need them.
It is this cohort that represents our
best chance of providing a workforce
capable of picking up the gauntlet
thrown down by Dame Judith Hackitt
and ensuring buildings in the future are
safer and healthier places to live, work
and play.
w www.mw-hargreaves.net
Building with Baumit
RCI’s Holly Miles was invited to attend the Baumit Academy in Maidstone, Kent, for the Gold Approved Applicator
Course. She reports on what was covered during the two-days
Chris Kendall, a field engineer at
Baumit, is the Gold Approved
Applicator Course leader.
Leaving school at 15, Chris
went to work on the tools and then for
his grandad’s business. The business was
passed down to his dad, and together they
took it to Germany for nine years. When
Chris returned to the UK, he worked as
a contracts manager before moving to
Baumit where he has been for the past year.
Chris started off day one by showing us
around the warehouse and giving us an
overview of the Baumit system.
Attendees are encouraged to ask him
whatever they want and can steer the
course so that it is more personalised to
them. The atmosphere is chatty and casual,
which is how it would be on-site, and Chris
is on-hand to give advice.
This two-day course gives Baumit the
chance to get to know the installers and
gives them confidence that they will be
installing the systems correctly. The reason
the course was developed was to address
condensation caused by cold bridging,
which Chris says is a problem in the
industry.
The next part of the day was the
practical session, which involved fixing
base profiles, insulation boards and
beading, base-coats and mesh. There are
three booths in the demonstration room, so
attendees work in pairs and Chris is never
far away if you have a question. At the end
of the day you review your work and any
questions that you have are answered.
On day two, course attendees revisit
the demo room to apply primer, topcoat
and finishing. After the course is
completed, delegates become a Baumit
Gold Approved Installer and Partner.
From there, they will receive their Baumit
Approved Installer Card, on-site support,
product marketing materials, and will be
referred when project leads come up in
their area.
The course is small and intimate, so
you get plenty of time with Chris and
no question is left unanswered. To book
a place on the course visit the Baumit
website below.
w www.baumit.co.uk
38 www.rcimag.co.uk July 2018
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