McCann: 'We all have a responsibility to safeguard the skills'

22/08/2019 |

Nottingham-based civil and electrical engineering firm, McCann, has an employment strategy based on continuous up-skilling and investment in the next generation, which it argues is the key to industry future proofing.

Established over 50 years ago, this family-run business has a proud history of expertise in civil and electrical engineering.

Managing director John McCann (pictured) has continued to build upon the solid foundations laid down by his father to maintain the company’s culture of taking a methodical approach to work, adherence to quality and safety standards and continuous investment in training.

With an ageing industry workforce, McCann has decided to tackle the issue head on, fostering future talent, providing businesses with the latest industry training and up-skilling its own workforce.

Apprentices

In 2017, McCann became a member of the 5% Club - making a commitment to ensure that at least 5% of its workforce is always working towards an apprenticeship qualification.

Currently, the company employs apprentices in areas such as IT, electrical installation and highway maintenance. For John McCann, investing in future talent is crucial for the industry as a whole.

'We all have a responsibility to safeguard the skills required both on the job site and in office environments, across civil and electrical engineering and construction,' says John.

'From lighting designers and technicians to electricians and plant operatives, young blood must be nurtured that can take what we do now and adapt it to the ever-changing future landscape. LED lighting and smart motorways are some of the latest initiatives, with more to follow in the coming decades.' he adds.

'There’s a duty to ensure that skills are continually finessed and passed down. Educating the next generation about the range of exciting opportunities open to them when they take up a career in civil engineering is crucial.'

Training

As well as investing in apprentices, up-skilling the wider industry is also high on John McCann’s agenda; the firm invested £175,000 in its training division in 2018.

The company is now qualified to deliver a wide range of courses including Highways England’s Common Induction, which underpins the Health and Safety Passport Scheme and goes towards achieving action 38 of Highways England’s five-year Health and Safety plan.

'Working closely with bodies such as Highways England, Lantra and HESA (Highway Electrical Skills Academy) to deliver training suitable for highways, lighting and wider infrastructure projects is part of our vision to help others tackle hazards and risks and improve health and safety,' adds John.

'We want to take the lead in sharing best practices and see this as the best way for us to do our part in taking the UK’s infrastructure to the next level.

'Employees like to feel valued within any working environment and I am a firm believer in providing my team with the necessary training required to help them thrive.

'This culture of continuous personal development has become infectious and resulted in high staff retention rates, proactivity in the workplace and award-wins.'

Results and recognition

In 2018 the business surpassed 2,500,000 hours accident free - evidence that investment in the right training and a company-wide adoption of best practices is paying dividends. The team has also won the RoSPA Gold Award for site safety for four consecutive years.

Marking such milestones has generated inspiring company-wide initiatives, as John McCann goes on to explain.

'There was an internal suggestion that we set up a charitable contribution scheme driven by observation cards. For each observation card raised, the company donates £1 to a workforce nominated charity at the end of the year. This added incentive has maintained the team’s vigilant approach and continued commitment to health and safety whilst building on our great CSR commitments within the communities we operate.'

The model is hopefully one that other businesses can learn from in order to help safeguard the future of the UK’s civil engineering sector.

Highways InProfile

latest magazine issue
Highways jobs

Senior Civil Engineer - Major Projects x 4

£45,894.00 - £54,952.00
We are looking for experienced engineers to help us progress a number of key projects and programmes Glasgow, Glasgow City
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Technician - Maintenance

£31001.0000 - £36471.0000 per annum
Essex Highways is responsible for managing and maintaining one of the largest highway networks in the country
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Highways Contract Engineer

£46,731 - £49,764
The team helps provide a safe road network that operates efficiently and effectively.  Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Principal Transport Planner

£46,731 - £49,764 (pro-rata)
We are looking for an experienced professional to join us on a six-month temporary contact as a Principal Transport Planner. Kettering, Northamptonshire
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Highways Maintenance Operative

£Competitive
We have a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Highways Maintenance Operative Broughton, Brigg
Recruiter: Amey

Head of Highways Contracts & Network

£81,803 progressing to £90,664 per annum
The team includes approximately 60 directly employed HCC people Hertfordshire
Recruiter: Hertfordshire County Council

Principal Construction Manager

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Principal Construction Manager Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Quality Technician

£Competitive
We are excited to offer a fantastic opportunity for a Permanent Quality Technician Yorkshire and the Humber
Recruiter: Amey

Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)

£42679.0000 - £50211.0000 per annum
Senior Highway Engineer (Development Management)Permanent, Full Time£43,960 to £51,718 per annum*Location
Recruiter: Essex County Council

Project Manager (Major Projects)

£44,711 - £47,754
Are you an experienced project professional or engineer with looking to take the next step in your career? Halifax, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Calderdale Metropolitan Borough Council

Senior Civil Engineer - Roads

£45,894 - £54,952
Are you an experienced engineer looking to support the Scottish Government’s national objectives. Scotland
Recruiter: Transport Scotland

Project Team Manager

£55,147 to £60,676 per annum
We are pleased to be able to offer an opportunity for a role as Design Team Manager Norwich, Norfolk
Recruiter: Norfolk County Council

Clerk of Works

GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Assistant Projects Engineer

GRADE 06 (£29,093 - £32,654),GRADE 07 (£33,366 - £37,035), GRADE 08 (£37,938 - £41,511)
Warrington is one of the most successful towns in the country Warrington, Cheshire
Recruiter: Warrington Borough Council

Principal Engineer - Traffic Management

£45,718 - £48,710 per annum
At Bath & North East Somerset Council we have one overriding purpose – to improve people’s lives. Bath, Somerset
Recruiter: Bath & North East Somerset Council

Vehicle Technician - Improver

£28,624 - £30,060
Transport Services is responsible for all aspects of transport and related services Huddersfield, West Yorkshire
Recruiter: Kirklees Metropolitan Council

Programme Delivery Office Administrator

Grade 9 £31,344 - £33,253 per annum
At Derbyshire, we have been on a journey to transform the way we deliver highway services to make them fit for the future Derbyshire
Recruiter: Derbyshire County Council

Support Officer - Highways Asset Management Systems

£31,586 - £34,314
We are a forward-thinking organisation dedicated to maintaining and improving our highway infrastructure. Lincolnshire
Recruiter: Lincolnshire County Council

Principal Transport Planner (Strategy)

£46,731-£49,764
We are looking for an experienced professional to join North Northamptonshire Council as a Principal Transport Planner (Strategy). Sheerness House, 41 Meadow Road, Kettering moving to Haylock House, Kettering Parkway, Kettering NN15 6EY, United Kingdom
Recruiter: North Northamptonshire Council

Electrical Engineer

Grade 9 £34,314 to £37,938 - Grade 10 £37,035 to £40,476 - Grade 11 £39,513 to £43,693 - Grade 12 £42,708 to £46,731 p.a.
The Construction Consultancy Services (CCS) team provide client-side construction consultancy services across a range of professional disciplines to d Durham
Recruiter: Durham County Council
SUBSCRIBE NOW

Latest Video

Subscribe to Highways today to ensure you keep your finger on the pulse of everything happening in the UK road network throughout the year.

SUBSCRIBE NOW