Costain’s Supply Chain Academy is helping SME construction suppliers and employees to gain a greater understanding of the sector
The four thousandth trainee has entered Costain’s Supply Chain Academy, dedicated to supporting SME construction suppliers.
The academy was set up by Costain staff with support from strategic partners to help SME suppliers develop the skills necessary to deliver successful projects. Established in 2011, it is currently working through its ninth intake and has seen some 127 SME suppliers as well as 4,000 trainees enter the academy during this period. The courses are module-based and focus on a range of topics including BIM, insurance and diversity in the workplace.
Richard Howell, Group Head of Supply Chain, at Costain, said: “The supply chain is critical to the successful delivery of our projects and as many of them are SMEs, assisting them to develop the skills necessary to work with organisations like us is imperative.
“This is why we founded the Supply Chain Academy and we are so proud to announce that the 4,000th person is undertaking training through it.
“Our aim is to share our knowledge of best practice in the industry with the suppliers that we work with. It is crucial that we have high quality and knowledgeable suppliers to help enable us to deliver schemes to meet the nation’s infrastructure needs.”
Necessary skills
Kieran Campbell, of IPS Communications was the four thousandth trainee to enter the academy and embark on the training programmes offered.
IPS Communication is currently working alongside Costain on a London-based rail project. The firm specialises in design, installation and maintenance of communications and security systems for the public sector.
Campbell, who is a Project Manager at the organisation, said: “The Supply Chain Academy has provided the company with a valuable opportunity to reflect upon our processes and discuss them openly with contemporaries and a client who is willing to listen and provide constructive feedback.
“The range of modules stretches the boundary of the typical client/supplier relationship and provokes interesting debate on how this can be improved and be mutually beneficial.
“The Academy is providing a great real-world perspective on how Costain is delivering its corporate and strategic goals and how we, at IPS Communications, can work better with them.”
