Blog: People Development SECBE Awards 2020 finalist - Telford Homes Academy

16 June 2020

sponsored by Cheesmur Building Contractors

People Development SECBE Awards 2020 finalist - Telford Homes Academy

Telford Homes consider people development to be a top priority. They asked the business what they wanted, and looked at the output of annual and half-year reviews, alongside working with heads of department to develop their Training Academy. 

This has been designed to allow all colleagues from trainee to senior managers to attend training built to make a difference to them. Focused on individual development, delegates across all courses are coached and supported to build development plans that are personal to them, support their learning and give a tangible return on investment. Building leadership competence and confidence are fundamental elements. The Trainee programme, Core Skills, and a three-tiered Management Development programme from the Academy offer something for everyone - delivered across a variety of mediums.

They ensure their trainee recruitment process is open, transparent and engaging. They have no upper age limit for applications and no upper degree grade. Onboarding aims to be fun and challenging  (they send them off to a Graham Robb centre in Reading). Core skills range from quick brown bag sessions to lengthier 2-day sessions designed to support all levels of attendees. Often using external trainers, they ensure every session is bespoke.

Those chosen for their Leadership Programmes attend a 12-month modular-based programme. Each tier has a different set of outcomes based on the level of seniority within the business.

• For their entry-level managers, they want to see an increase in confidence, self-awareness and the ability to start becoming leaders and not just technical managers. They use tools such as 360 feedback and VAC learning styles to support learning.
• For their people managers, it’s about deepening self-awareness, understanding impact on others, and honing and challenging acceptable behaviours. Alongside an extensive HR module, they use Insights and SL2.
• For their senior managers, they are looking to deepen and build strategic competence alongside personal resilience and authenticity. Using tools such as OCAI and FiroB, they are stretching capability and understanding.

Alongside each programme, they set a demanding but fun project that embeds learning, builds networks and creates stretch. 

They are already seeing exceptional results with 90% of the first cohort of first line managers being promoted within 6 months of completing their programme. Feedback tells them the programme is making a real change to personal development across the industry.

Highlights:

• Industry-leading Institute of Leadership and Management assured learning Academy
• Outstanding wellness programme
• Budding manager end of programme project

About the People Development Award: 

People are our greatest asset and this award recognises organisations that appreciate and nurture their workforce to ensure they maximise the value of everyone’s contribution to the business. By creating inclusive workplaces which support people of all abilities through training initiatives, education, mentoring, support networks and innovative programmes, companies can demonstrate a significant impact on the future of their businesses and the wider construction industry.

> Find out more about the other finalists here