Training and Development Initiatives
Higgins provides support for ongoing training and career development across all levels of the company, reaching into every aspect of our work. When people join Higgins, they also begin an integrated programme of training to develop their skills and broaden the exciting career opportunities in modern community construction.
"To continually develop the results achievable for our clients, we must continually develop our people."
– Bryan Sabin - Director
Skills on Site
The Higgins Training Academy provides multi-skilling training courses in partnership with the CITB and two of the region's leading colleges for construction. The two-year courses provide Higgins with its own multi-skilled teams of craftsmen and a new breed of future managers for the industry.
The courses provide new skills in the most essential technical trades of community construction and regeneration, such as plastering, painting & decorating, plumbing and tiling - all based upon the proven City & Guilds qualifications, for people of all ages. It also means management training opportunities to help people really make their mark in our industry.
Higgins also provides training support to help our people achieve even more from their careers through continued professional development and technical courses accredited to the nationally recognised NVQ qualifications.
Skills to Manage
As well as supporting ONC and HNC management courses, Higgins works in direct partnership with three universities to provide work experience placements for BSc students. Special employment scheme packages are offered upon graduation.
All management employees are encouraged to broaden their experience through a special programme of secondments to different departments of the Higgins Group of companies. When we offer mixed-tenure solutions, someone in the team will have had direct experience of working on housing developments for sale as well as their specialist community construction skills.
Continued Professional Development
Higgins works closely with professional organisations to providing full support for employees maintaining the CPD requirements for membership. This training supports our drive to stay ahead with new construction techniques.
Making their Mark
The challenge for a contractor is to attract young people into the industry. Higgins is therefore committed to working in partnership with local organisations representing those people who otherwise would have difficulty sourcing training, their first jobs or a trade to make their mark in construction.
Higgins is a familiar name to employment support organisations like Lewisham Community Refurbishment Scheme (CRS), Building Work for Women (BWW), Women's Education in Building (WEB) and Positive Attitudes Towards Housing (PATH). That's because:
- 18 women have made their mark in construction with Higgins and the Women's Education in Building organisation
- 12 more women have made their mark with Higgins and the Building Work for Women organisation
- Five previously unemployed people of all ages have made their mark with Higgins and Lewisham CRS