Our sponsors – Q&A with Tim Cook, Managing Director of Hays Construction

1. You've been a sponsor of the Contract Journal Best Places to Work in Construction Awards since its inception. What do you like about the Awards?

While there are numerous industry awards, these are one of the only ones that directly address the issues of recruitment and retention – key concerns for anybody in the industry. Not only do they culminate in an awards ceremony to reward the winners, but they also make a tangible difference to the businesses involved because each company gets a report on their status, which they can review and take action on.

2. What makes a business one of the Best Places to Work in Construction?

A good business is one that understands the impact of its people on the bottom line, but doesn’t just view them as a number. Businesses that invest in their staff with CSR programmes, incentives, flexible benefits and which reward strong performances will find that they fare better in terms of increased loyalty and productivity compared to their competitors.

3. Do you think more companies are starting to think about being better places to work - and why?

Employers have begun to realise that they can’t ignore their staff because it can have such an impact on the bottom line. When you find good people, you definitely want to make every effort to keep them. Due to the skills shortages, companies have to be more competitive and have effective recruitment and retention strategies – even five years ago this would have been unheard of.

4. Do you think the construction industry in general is becoming a better place to work? And if it is, how can companies help get that message out to people outside the industry?

The construction industry suffers from a negative and outdated image. It is one of the biggest employers in the UK, yet it is relatively unknown among school children and students. A focus on these two groups is going to be key if we are going to see some long term changes. Many people have absolutely no idea about the reality of working in the industry and the only way this can be achieved is if we take a cross-discipline approach with everybody working to the same aim. However, there can be no denying that we have made major inroads here and that companies are starting to adopt tactics already established in other industries.

5. What's the best thing you've heard a company doing to improve as an employer?

The best things are when employees are engaged as stakeholders; profit shares, bonus pools, awards for outstanding performance and awards for exceptional customer service levels all add to the mix. Internal communications is probably one of the most overlooked parts of management. One of the quirkiest things we’ve heard is donuts being delivered by the MD for reaching a target.

Our sponsors – Q&A with Nicola Thompson, director of communications and marketing at ConstructionSkills
 
1. You've been a sponsor of the Contract Journal Best Places to Work in
Construction Awards since its inception. What do you like about the Awards?

As the Sector Skills Council for construction, ConstructionSkills is keen to recognise employers that invest in their people. The Contract Journal Best Places to Work in Construction Awards are unique in the awards calendar. They are the only construction awards where the employees of construction firms are the judges and determine the award winners. We like the fact that, with these awards, we're not just taking the employers' word for it - staff are providing confirmation that firms really are model employers when they take part in the award surveys! 
 
2. What makes a business one of the Best Places to Work in Construction?

From our point of view, we are keen to see businesses investing in the training and development of their teams. Upskilling and providing opportunities for career development makes for a happier workforce, but also has enormous business benefits. Well-trained people are more likely to work safely and productively, make fewer mistakes and ultimately drive profitability. 
 
3. Do you think more companies are starting to think about being better places
to work - and why?

Companies are starting to think about being better places to work in order to give them a competitive edge when recruiting and retaining team members. With many firms reporting skills gaps and recruitment difficulties, potential employees in some sectors are able to pick and choose where they go according to which company has the best reputation for looking after their staff.  

The training and development opportunities on offer can be a deciding factor for some potential recruits so it pays for firms to be upfront about any structured training programmes they have on offer. 
 
4. Do you think the construction industry in general is becoming a better
place to work? And if it is, how can companies help get that message out to
people outside the industry?

Construction is definitely becoming a better place to work. ConstructionSkills has been extolling the virtues of working in construction for many years now - through high-profile advertising campaigns and work in schools - and has seen a huge rise in young people wanting to join the industry at all levels as a result.
 
On the upside, construction provides real opportunities to 'make your mark' on society - after all the industry is literally building Britain. However, the blokes, bricks and bums image still puts some young people off so early, positive experiences of the industry are essential. Companies have a chance to help get the message out by getting involved with initiatives like National Construction Week and providing work experience opportunities for young people working towards new construction qualifications eg the diploma and young apprenticeships. 
 
5. What's the best thing you've heard a company doing to improve as an
employer?

The best ideas for improving a workplace seem to arise when employers have taken the trouble to find out what their employees value the most - through staff surveys or other engagement activity - so I would certainly advocate that. In terms of specifics, there are an increasing number of construction employers who have embraced a more structured approach to training and
development. As a result, they are reaping the bottom-line business benefits and a more satisfied workforce - which seems like a win-win situation for company and individuals.