MEDIA RELEASE: 24 | 05 | 2019
Picture available
Caption:pictured at the presentation of the Lanes Group's Skills Accord are, from the left: James Coldwell (Investor Engagement Manager at the Workforce Disclosure Initiative); James Brewer, Learning and Development Specialist, Lanes Group; Chris Norbury (HR Director, E.ON, and Chair of the Energy & Utilities Skills Partnership Delivery Board); and Nick Ellins (Chief Executive, Energy & Utility Skills).
Skills Accord rewards exemplar training practice
Drainage and wastewater contractor Lanes Group plc has been awarded a Skills Accord for its success in supporting its workforce in achieving recognised skills that contribute to business success.
It has become one of 11 tier one utility industry suppliers in the UK to be presented with the award by the Energy and Utility Skills Partnership forpioneering efforts to transform investment in technical and operational skills.
The Procurement Skills Accords were presented at an event in Birmingham to mark the second year of the initiative, which is an industry-wide drive to ensure the utility sector has the skilled workforce needed in the coming decades.
It is forecast that 221,000 skilled jobs will need to be filled by 2027, with 100,000 people set to retire by then, 90,000 people moving to new jobs and 31,000 new jobs created.
Lanes Utilities, the wastewater network services maintenance partner for Thames Water, was one of five organisations invited to give presentations at the event to share best practice about skills development within their workforces.
James Brewer, Learning and Development Specialist at Lanes Utilities, pictured second left, told delegates about Lanes' Pathway to Success programme which gives all employees a structured career path based on skills needed for different roles.
He also explained how this is supported by a unique wellbeing programme which combines an app to access the happiness of the workforce, with practical, professional support for colleagues who want help.
Sue Guest, Procurement Skills Accord Programme Lead at Energy & Utility Skills, said: "Lanes has demonstrated real commitment to the Procurement Skills Accord this year, achieving the award and showing some clear areas of excellence.
"It particularly impressed the evaluation team with its approach to workforce skills development and employee wellbeing. Through its two-part pre-qualification questionnaire (PQQ) process it has started to embed skills development through its own supply chain, positioning itself and its suppliers well to deliver sustainable skills into the water sector."
Of 56 companies that have signed up to the Energy and Utility Skills Partnership, 38 were awarded Skills Accords. Of the 23 tier one supplier signatories, Lanes was among just under half awarded the national accolade.
James Brewer said: "We're very pleased that our learning and development strategy is so well-aligned with what represents exemplar practice across the electricity, gas and water utility industries.
"Effective training and skills development are vital to our long-term success as a business. They underpin our objective to be a leader in the use of digital technologies and leading-edge operational systems to deliver safe, effective and sustainable wastewater maintenance services.
"It also happens to be the right thing to do. We want to reward our teams for the contribution they make and their loyalty. This can only be done if we fairly measure personal and team performance and give everyone an equal chance of progressing.
"Our training and education programme is designed to inspire and motivate our people to be more productive, work safer, and deliver excellent customer service. If we expect more from ourselves, we need to be supported, which is where our wellbeing programme comes into the equation."
Latest initiatives include the launch of the world's first team-play virtual reality system in a 360-degree video theatre, which allows teams to interact while experiencing highly-immersive training games.
TheProcurement Skills Accord is a set of five robust and challenging commitments that require signatory companies to ensure that responsible procurement practices are used to drive investment in skills.
They are to address sector-wide skills gaps, promote the Procurement Skills Accord through the supply chain, promote skills development through procurement practices, continuously improve performance, and monitor and report progress.
Ends
PR Contact:Andy Comber
Telephone: 01952 883526
Mobile: 07889 630440
Email: ac@matm.co.uk
About Lanes Group
Lanes Group plc is a national wastewater and drainage solutions provider. It sits at the heart of the drainage industry in the UK and Ireland, and is serious about delivering excellence in service, safety and innovation.
The company has a network of 32 depots and strategic utility hubs, providing high quality utility, drainage, and maintenance services for commercial, public sector and domestic customers.
Its services include CCTV drainage surveys, drain and sewer cleaning and unblocking, sewer excavation and repair, sewer lining, wet well and tank emptying, industrial cleaning, tankering and professional services.
Key market sectors are water utilities, construction, energy, rail, highways, insurance and commercial maintenance.