UK's leading painting contractor Hankinson says investment in training in crucial

07/10/2009

THE group chief executive of one of the UK’s leading industrial painting contractors today said suppliers must invest in training to meet new competency levels required by Network Rail.

Stephen Hankinson, of the Birkenhead-based Hankinson Painting Group, said investment in training was crucial to raising standards within the rail sector.

He urged those reluctant to new Network Rail training policies to adapt to the changing market place or face being left behind.

He said Hankinson’s rapid response to changing policy and their commitment to meeting new competency levels required by the Network Rail had not only strengthened their market position but led to an increase in turnover and profit.

He said: “All our industrial painting operatives are now accredited to the Industrial Coating Applicator Training Scheme.

“Hankinson became the first contractor in the UK to achieve the National Highway Sector Scheme 19A for Corrosion Protection (NHSS 19A).

“Financial results were improved immediately with turnover and profit increasing.

“I have always been a great believer that our people are our biggest asset and I have always recognised that they must be given the necessary skills to achieve.

“And while our commitment to training is nothing new, we have faced some significant and unique challenges in 2008 relating to training requirements.

“In particular our Industrial Painting Division had to meet the new requirements of Network Rail and the Highways Agency.

“The training and learning that took place was industry leading.

“Success was measured by the number of operatives who achieved accreditation – 100%.

“The fact that we became the first painting contractor in the UK to achieve the NHSS 19A raised our profile enormously and has given us tremendous opportunity for further growth.

“This forward thinking to invest in training, particularly during an economic downturn, is now being widely acknowledged as industry best practice and securing Hankinson high profile awards and contracts.”

NHSS 19A was implemented by the Highways Agency as a mandatory requirement on all appropriate contracts from Feb 1 2008.

The Highways Agency believes that adopting the scheme has achieved their objective of employing a competent, skilled workforce on all work sites.

Network Rail and The Highways Agency have also supported the Institute of Corrosion in developing their Industrial Coating Applicator Training Scheme (ICATS) as the benchmark level for training and assessment of paint applicators.

Established for 34 years, Hankinson employ more than 230 people nationally, with a turnover of £12.5m.

In addition to the ICATS accreditation, more than 90% of their workforce now hold Construction Skills Certification Scheme cards.

As a result, Hankinson have recently gained the Platinum Standard Award from the Construction Skills Certification Scheme – another important indicator of standards for the industry.

Stuart Lyon is a professor of Corrosion Control Technology at the University of Manchester and chair and managing director of Correx Ltd, who developed ICATS.

He said: “The resistance to new initiatives in this industry is immense – particularly where there has been no prior track record in the area,

“Thus despite the adoption of ICATS by Network Rail and the Highways Agency there was great initial reluctance for contractors to put their heads above the parapet.

“Hankinson were an exception and have supported ICATS from the early days.

“They registered into the scheme in April 2007 even though it was not mandated by the Highways Agency for new contracts until February 2008.

“Hankinson’s experience with their trained operatives is that they take new pride in their work.

“Thus they are no longer just ‘painters’ they are ‘industrial coatings applicators.’

“Hankinson is a model example of how dedicated management with support of staff and employees can deliver a professional and effective implementation of an innovative training scheme.

“Hankinson has been one of the success stories of ICATS and has developed a training model that we encourage others in the rail sector to emulate.”

Hankinson Painting Group have carried out rail projects as well as delivering major blasting and coatings work on the historic Menai Bridge and the Silver Jubilee Bridge in Runcorn, which was the Industrial Painting Contract of the Year in the 2009 Painting Industry Awards run by the Painting Decorating Association of Great Britain.

Mr Hankinson said the company were now expanding further into the rail sector and hoped to bring their skills and industry-leading expertise to future Network Rail projects.

He added: “We have delivered all this training during the current difficult economic climate because investment in training is one of our core values.

“We believe that our efforts in the last 12 months have not only led to this industry recognition but also to increased profitability and a much stronger market position within the rail sector.

“There was some initial resistance by employees who felt that with more than 20 years experience under their belt, further training was either unnecessary.

“However they can all now see the benefit and take even more pride in their work.

“Network Rail now demands ICATS qualifications for all its contractors and Hankinson have had the foresight to ensure that they are best positioned to bid for their future contracts.

“The market place is changing rapidly and companies who fail to invest in training will be left behind.

“The Hankinson Painting group was quick to respond and now that investment in training is paying dividends.

“We are now in the best position possible to deliver Network Rail projects.”

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