Last updated 19:26, Thursday, 13 November 2008

A COCKERMOUTH building firm has won a top award for training its workforce – and proved construction companies CAN beat the credit crunch.

AWARD: Nicky Gordon

Gordon Building Services picked up the Northern Counties Region Master Builder of the Year 2008 for Investment in Training and is up for a national award at a London ceremony.

Boss Nicky Gordon overhauled the company’s training policy after taking control of the family business three years ago.

He devised a strategy with ConstructionSkills, the national body that oversees training in the building trade, which saw staff complete courses in subjects ranging from health and safety to strategy and leadership.

And the policy has paid off financially as the firm has been able to diversify and win new contracts, which have helped it survive the economic downturn.

Mr Gordon, 24, said: “We were a successful business in terms of profit but our training was minimal.

“I wanted to change that to make training staff central to what we do.

“It has meant we have been able to diversify our services and take on work we would previously have had to turn down. That will help us survive the downturn.

“We are currently doing work for United Utilities on water pipes in Silloth, for example, that we could not have done without the training.”

Michelle Armstrong, company development advisor at ConstructionSkills, said: “It is a great example of a company that has recognised how investing in training can have huge benefits for staff and the success of their business.”

Gordon Building Services was set up by Mr Gordon’s father Steve in 1992 and currently employs about 15 staff.