Train, educate, integrate

Thomas Vale has broken new ground today with the launch of its purpose built training and innovation centre in Stourport on Severn. The 1 million centre, which will be managed by subsidiary company Forum Training, has been hailed as the first of its kind in the UK, with six clients and forty supply chain partners already committed to training and developing both managers and site operatives together.

The launch comes at a time when there is an acute need within the industry to establish integrated supply chains, and improve existing skills bases to help meet stringent Government targets. Thomas Vale already has a strong track record and close working relationships with its supply chain partners.

The centre provides the infrastructure for this to continue in the future, epitomising the vision of collaboration that Egan set out in last decade.

The new three storey facility was launched by an impressive array of speakers, including Dennis Lenard, Chief Executive of Constructing Excellence in the Built Environment and Alan Curless, OBE, Executive Director of the Learning & Skills Council Herefordshire & Worcestershire. It will offer a comprehensive range of courses including Construction NVQís, via OSAT and assistance through the CSCS process, in addition to specific and tailored training courses for project teams and clients.

ìThe opening of this new centre marks a significant step forward for the industry,ì commented Lenard. ìCollaborative working and integration of the supply chain is integral to best practice principles and I applaud Thomas Vale in its bid to lead the industry on these issues. The investment it has made in this centre demonstrates a true commitment to opening up communications and offering the best quality of training possible. This will ultimately lead to more productive, and safe working practices.î

Speakers cemented their commitment to the principles that inspired the new building, by joining together to leave handprints in wet cement, forming a plaque for the new building, and symbolising an on-going belief in partnering and collaboration. Mike Wallis, Chairman of the Thomas Vale Group, emphasised this commitment, saying:

ìWith over 6 million people in the UK without qualifications and a mass exodus of an ageing workforce expected by 2011, it is essential that companies commit to investing in and training future generations. Thomas Vale has always taken its training obligations seriously but this new building is the physical embodiment of our commitment to training in construction. For a company of our size to have invested 1m in a building of this value in addition to the 300k in routine training every year, really emphasises the nature of that commitment.

ìWith 75% of our contracts currently carried out in partnering agreements, we believe that the centre will prove key in creating even greater collaboration between client, contractor and supply chain,î he added. ìOur ultimate objective is to provide a comprehensive service dedicated to improving the knowledge and understanding of business, and ultimately enabling individuals to return better equipped to their respective roles, assisting their business to develop and improve. ì

ìAs an intermediate sized company we believe that we have set yet another benchmark for the rest of the industry,î he concluded. ìWe know that we are a company fully committed to best practice. The challenge now is to push the barriers even further and take active steps to extend our ethos to our clients, our partners and the industry at large.î

ìThis centre brings together the visions and aspirations of local construction parties who realise that the success of their future is dependent on investing in and training both current and future workforces,î added Jayne Sloan, Director of Thomas Vale Group training division, Forum Training.

ìAs a specialist training provider, we already have excellent links with regional training bodies and national construction sector groups, and will be able to utilise these to maximise benefits for all those involved with the centre. We have an expert team here who are able to focus on practical application rather than academic jargon, not only working with individuals and groups at the centre, but also going out to businesses and offering tailored training courses.î

To find out more about the new centre, or to sign up to courses please contact Jayne Sloan, Director, Forum Training on 01299 878363 or e-mail info@forumtraining.com