Incentive for building firms (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Incentive for building firms

A GRANT of £2,000 will be awarded by the Construction Industry Training Board to every building and construction firm in Wiltshire that commits to an Investors in People action plan this year.

The grant is being awarded via the Blueprint for Building Performance (BBP) programme, run by Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire in partnership with the CITB.

BBP comprises a series of workshops designed to accommodate the unique nature and needs of building and construction firms and also provides support from specialist advisers.

The aim is to help employers bring out the best in employees by adopting simple techniques and processes that will improve business performance. BBP provides a practical route for firms to gain accreditation as an Investor in People, which will result in a further grant of £5,000.

The programme also plays a huge part in improving the national image of the sector as one that attracts and retains a high quality and professional workforce, while investing in the continuous improvement of skills and competencies.

Helena Allen, workforce development manager at Business Link Berkshire and Wiltshire, said: "The construction sector is one of the last industries to realise that by improving the contribution that staff make, the bottom-line directly benefits, with greater profitability and productivity.

"But the tide is definitely turning. Word is spreading that this simple, step-by-step framework is an effective way to enhance business performance, retain staff and improve skills.

"We are encouraging firms to come along to the first workshop to gain a better understanding of the programme."

Haydon Holloway, of the CITB, said: "Last year, a number of companies in the region successfully completed the programme and implemented simple and practical processes.

"Their commitment has paid dividends in a relatively short period of time, resulting in improved motivation as well as increased business opportunities and productivity."

The financial incentives, in the form of grants paid by CITB, are as follows:

o On completion of the programme and formal acceptance of an action plan, companies will receive a one-off commitment grant of £2,000.

o When an organisation achieves IiP recognition, a further £5,000 will be awarded.

o Companies with fewer than 50 employees can also claim an annual grant of £500 for submitting a training and development plan each year.

o A further annual award of £750 is available for those companies that successfully become Investors in People accredited.

This year's workshops are on March 23, April 30, May 25 and June 29. For further details of the programme, call 0845 600 4141.