Engineering consultancy scoops award at South-West region leg of National Training Awards
International multi-disciplinary engineering consultancy Buro Happold recently scooped a South West Training Award for Large Employer, for their graduate programme, at the south west regional leg of the National Training Awards.
The awards are run by UK Skills on behalf of the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills, and are recognised as the most prestigious training awards in the UK. They celebrate organisations and individuals that demonstrate outstanding business and personal success through investment in training.
Buro Happold’s graduate programme is designed around strategic objectives, and is delivered by senior representatives of the practice. Its success is highlighted by the number of employees retained as a result of the structured training process. As an example, 75 percent of the graduates recruited in 2005 were still with the consultancy two years later.
Buro Happold recruited 112 graduates from varying disciplines in 2007 and a further 122 this year, and key elements of the programme are to ensure clarity of the individuals’ career path and connectivity with the rest of the practice.
The Learning and Development team was present for the announcement made at the Marriott Hotel in Bristol, and Colin Jackson presented them with the award. Consultant Chris Townsend said: “It is fantastic for Buro Happold’s graduate programme to receive such a prestigious award. Graduate recruitment and development are very important strategic initiatives in ensuring that we continue to develop talented and creative engineers.
“The number of people working for the practice has grown by 67 per cent in the last two years, and we continue to grow. This achievement recognises our innovative approach and commitment to staff development. It will help to raise the company’s profile as an employer of choice.”
David Hull, Buro Happold director and principal, commented: “I am delighted for our Learning and Development team whose energy and enthusiasm is well deserved of this recognition. Nurturing and mentoring graduates so they quickly become the best Buro Happold engineers is really important. In time we know they will be our future leaders and custodians of the practice and our values.”
Professional development with Buro Happold does not cease at graduate level. On completion of the graduate programme, there are four further structured programmes for employees at various levels of their career ladder.
Note to Editors:
For more information on the National Training Awards please visit: www.nationaltrainingawards.com
Buro Happold
Press Office and practice information at www.burohappold.com
For more information, please contact the Press Office.
Hannah Green
Press Officer
Tel +44 (0)1225 320627
Email hannah.green@burohappold.com
Buro Happold is a multi-disciplinary international practice of consulting engineers established in 1976. We now employ over 1,700 staff in 21 offices worldwide and our aim is to produce high quality engineering design in concept, in detail and in execution, on time, to programme and delivering excellent value for money. Our distinctive culture and ethos is still based on the same principles of care, value and elegance that were established when the practice was founded.
We offer structural, building services, civil, infrastructure and façade engineering, as well as a broad range of specialist consultancy services including sustainability, ground and environmental engineering, fire and security design, health and safety management, inclusive and urban design, project management, and specialist CAD and computer simulation provision.