Case study 3
Encouraging teamwork in the construction industry
A national training organisation commissioned a two-day training course for supervisors and employee representatives working on construction projects anywhere in the UK. A key element of the roles of both groups is to manage employee relations so that contracts are completed on time and to budget. A major underlying purpose is to equip participants with the knowledge and interpersonal skills required to prevent conflicts from occurring and/or to nip them in the bud if they do arise.
Word
Smiths worked on this project as a key associate of main contractor Walkgrove
Ltd.
Word Smiths has a long-standing relationship with Walkgrove and has worked with this leading UK training company on projects ranging from mental health tribunal training for the Scottish Executive to money laundering worlshops for HMCE.
Aim of the training event
The overall aim of the training event is to ensure that all participants can make an effective contribution to the success of the projects they are involved with. Our intention is to help them to understand the provisions of national agreements and to encourage them to demonstrate positive leadership qualities when applying these.
The content of the course is underpinned by a number of vital messages:
- The success of a contract is fundamental to stability of employment for everyone in the industry.
- The agreed procedures outlined in the national agreements will help supervisors and shop stewards to work together to avoid and resolve people-related problems.
- The effectiveness of the agreements depends on the ability of both sides to understand the rules and to apply them fairly and consistently.
Methodology
The course that we designed encompassed a number of different learning styles.
- Quizzes and role plays (for learners who favour an active approach)
- Presentations and discussions (for reflectors)
- Case study discussions and group tasks for problem solvers.
All examples and scenarios used in the course design were derived from typical situations faced by shop stewards and supervisors on real construction projects.