Swift Horsman is one of the UK's most successful specialist contractors supplying innovative solutions to the construction industry. The company provides prefabricated/off-site technologies, fit-out and specialist joinery solutions for the UK's leading developers, architects and contractors. The company has always been a supporter of Apprenticeships and in 2007 opened Swift Training School, its own provider which now allows them to tailor the training to the specific niche techniques needed within their industry sector.
Swift Horsman firmly believes that ‘people make a company.’ Maintaining and progressing skills levels is fundamental to the company’s success. They have always supported Apprenticeships and, to allow them to develop bespoke industry led qualifications, set up their own training school. Their on-site training facility has been approved as a satellite training centre for Ealing, Hammersmith and West London College. The company wanted to move away from the perception that apprentices were simply cheap labour and have combated this with the introduction of specialised classroom based tuition, mentor training and practical tuition with designated areas on live sites for apprentices to work on. This has allowed apprentices to build their confidence and become an important resource for the country.
Benefits
Swift Horsman has taken an innovative and pioneering approach to Apprenticeships and has benefitted from:
- Employer-led, adaptable training
- Approved on-site training centre
- A highly skilled workforce
- Motivated employees
- Developing the workforce of the future
Innovative approach
The company found that the standard Woodworking NVQ was too generic for their specific needs. They therefore took an employer-led approach to training, working with a local provider to develop their own learning facility. This has allowed them to include construction methods unique to their industry sector and to continually refine and update the training. The result is a steady stream of skilled apprentices who are mentored and given on the job training opportunities on live projects: the company is effectively developing their future skills base through Apprenticeships. Swift Horsman’s pioneering approach is showing the construction industry how a commitment to training and an investment in working with the learning provider to mould the course has led to significant company-wide benefits.