Shepherd Construction
Organisation Size: 1400
Sector: Building and Engineering
Organisation Location: Yorkshire and Humberside
The Organisation
Shepherd Construction, first established in York in 1890, is a member of the Shepherd Building Group, one of the largest privately owned building groups in the UK. A total of 1,400 staff are employed at the head office in York, in seven regional offices, and in 75 building sites at any one time.
The Challenge
Towards the end of the 1980s, senior management recognised that change was needed in anticipation of a recession and in the face of competitive pressures and higher client expectations. A programme of Total Excellence was launched in 1990. The main objectives included:
- A total quality approach
- Individual employee understanding of business objectives
- Continuous improvement in services, building processes and products
- Selecting contractors on the basis of performance
- Effective communication procedures
- Closer links between training and development activities and business objectives.
The company became aware of Investors in People in 1991 and realised that many of its principles linked closely with key features of the Total Excellence programme. A commitment was made in the belief that working towards the Standard would benefit the programme.
The Strategy
The Total Excellence programme and Investors in People helped to maintain and develop elements that were already embedded in the culture of the company. These included a friendly and supportive working environment, recognition that teamworking is vital to operational effectiveness, recognition of individual achievements, innovation in training activities, and the paramount importance of safety.
A number of training initiatives were taken:
- The company undertook to register all 400 craftsmen under the Construction Skills Certification Scheme
- Modern Apprenticeships are now available to all craft apprentices
- In partnership with Leeds Metropolitan University, a new postgraduate diploma in construction management was established which facilitates progression to a Masters degree; this initiative was recognised by a National Training Award in 1995
- In-house programmes linked to NVQs were developed for site supervisors and managers; the site managers programme which incorporates Chartered Institute of Building Certificate and NVQ4 was recognised by a National Training Award in 1996
- Currently the company is working towards providing customers with an enhanced service and increased value through a number of initiatives centering on partnering and supply chain management
The Result
A more effective evaluation of training and development was achieved together with a more focused training and development plan. There was a greater consistency in staff appraisals and in the delivery of training. Staff became more aware of business and financial matters. Training and development achieved a higher profile across the company.
Employees now work in an environment which supports continuous professional development and encourages the acquisition of relevant qualifications, including NVQs. Continuous skills development is essential to keep abreast of new technology and techniques.
Investors in People recognition helped to promote and measure the company's commitment to continuous improvement, an important part of the total quality approach. Recognition, together with a profound commitment to employee development, has contributed significantly to a strong balance sheet in recent years. Costs have been reduced and a high level of repeat business has been sustained.
Investors in People
Investors in People was influential in the introduction of several developments, including:
- More effective induction training
- More direct links between the training and business plans
- Identification of individual training needs
- Improved communication procedures
- New operative training standards
- Extended management training programmes.
They have also achieved two training awards:
- Equality in construction; training award 1997
- A special award for lifetime learning 1996, Durham TEC.
"Investors in People is flexible in its approach. Evidence suggests that it leads organisations towards their own more cohesive plans, policies and practices. The Standard encourages continuous improvement - a key to business success."
- Peter Blackburn
"Investors in People has helped to promote and measure the company's commitment to continuous improvement. Recognition has undoubtedly contributed to a strong balance sheet. Costs have been reduced and a high level of repeat business has been sustained."
- Paul Shepherd