Thanks in no small part to Highwire’s own focus on professional practice and standards, and the way our determination to forge a better service has influenced the wider industry, overall performance and safety levels in the field have undoubtedly improved.
Tailor-made training
While this is clearly a positive move, our team at Highwire has found that external training within the industry can still fall far short of the exacting levels we are committed to within our company. This is not something that anyone at Highwire is prepared to compromise on – we never lose sight of the fact that our ultimate role is to prevent loss of life, and there is no leeway under those circumstances.
As a result, we have consistently invested in our own in-house training, developing successful apprenticeships and pioneering a unique accredited NVQ Level 2 in fall-arrest sector. This is the only qualification of its kind in the sector and key training for operatives.
Foundations of the future workforce
We can give our clients complete assurance that we only use direct and fully trained labour. We are proud to have as a current site supervisor someone who first joined us 12 years ago as a young trainee. Since 2014 Mark Normanton has built his skills and experience with us, recently completing his NVQ Level 2 and now ideally placed with his knowledge, practical abilities and understanding both of Highwire and our clients, to run height-access teams on site.
At the other end of the scale, just starting out following in Mark’s footsteps, we have height access apprentice Saul Del Rio, who has been with Highwire since early last year. He is developing a valuable skillset through a combination of hands-on experience with our operatives, college work and the dedicated Highwire NVQ.
The wider picture on site
Alongside his practical and college-based training, Saul – like all our operatives – is given the opportunity to learn about and respond to the wide variety of situations that crop up in the ‘real world’ by working alongside our teams on site. Highwire is involved with a large number of projects based at schools, colleges and medical facilities, among others, and we believe it is important for both clients and our team members that any of our staff on site understand and are comfortable with the specific environment. To this end, all our operatives are not only appropriately trained but also DBS (previously CRB) checked and always introduced to clients so they know who to expect on site.
Fresh talent across the board
We do not only offer apprenticeships on the height access side but appreciate the benefits of helping to develop quality staff across all aspects of the business. James Burney joined us in October 2015 to work in the sales and marketing department, and trains at NSPP Vocational training alongside his on-the-job experience with us. James is already starting to make an impact at Highwire.