Company Training Policy Reaps Rewards for Former Trench Digger
10th June 2009
Paul Boggis is just one example of the success of Henderson Campbell’s policy of employing staff, rather than the traditional sector practice of using contractors for long-distance site work.
It means that boss Antony Henderson can ensure his workforce is regularly trained, has a wide knowledge of Henderson Campbell’s practices and ethos and is therefore able to uphold Henderson Campbell’s impressive reputation in the industry.
This, believes Antony, is one of the key reasons why the company was awarded a Home Office contract for prison work that has resulted in regular work for Henderson Campbell over the past four years.
But the staff too benefit. Paul Boggis was taken on as a ‘ganger’ by the Guisborough company back in 1997 and has been promoted through the ranks to his current position of Contracts Manager. In between he has been an Assistant Site Manager and Site Manager and worked on Ministry of Justice projects from Northumberland to Suffolk.
“Henderson Campbell really look after you,” said the 52-year-old (pictured). “I have never stayed with a company as long as this: I used to move anywhere I could get more money – often abroad – and I never imagined I would still be with Henderson Campbell 11 years on. I can’t imagine working for anyone else now.”
The time-served plasterer changed direction after setting up his own business and realising it wasn’t for him. Since joining Henderson Campbell, he has completed training courses in Health and Safety, First Aid, and in driving various heavy plant vehicles.
Now he finds himself overseeing all the company’s contracts – a role that has seen him drive 62,000 miles in the last 12 months visiting sites and doing all the related admin well into the night.
“I never thought I’d ever have a need to use a computer in my life but I have had to learn to use one to do my job. I still prefer to be on site but I have been given some great opportunities to progress by Mr Henderson and I think I will be here until I retire!”
And Paul is not alone in having progressed through the ranks at Henderson Campbell. All its employees are continually assessed, evaluated and trained for their relevant positions.
Commented MD, Antony Henderson: “A company is only as good as its personnel and this continual development breeds confidence and knowledge at every level.
“That’s why we have a policy of employing our own workforce as opposed to sub-contractors. We benefit; the client benefits and we must be doing something right as far as the staff are concerned too as turnover is low, resulting in a high percentage of long-serving employees.”
Such on-going development at Henderson Campbell has also been recognised formally through its acceptance into Investors in People - the National Framework for Business Improvement through people