Press Release June 2017
Firstly may I extend my apologies for not completing a Press Release since last December. This has been partly due to the complete relocation of our head office to a brand new bespoke building in Kingston Park Peterborough.
I have included a selection of sample photographs showing some of the internal areas of the new head office.
The new Reception area
View showing the main office facilities
View showing the new Board Room
Our already extensive portfolio of clients has again expanded which has resulted in an increased volume of mechanical, electrical and design works being undertaken. So, we are currently looking to employ welders, pipe fitters, mechanical fitters and electricians, please refer you to our vacancies page for details etc.
I would like to congratulate Dan Lowder on the successful completion of his first high value project at a “blue chip” company to the south of Peterborough. Dan has worked on a number of projects in a supporting role to contract managers/directors since joining us and this was the first time that he “went solo”. Well done and I look forward to your continued success.
We recognised the need to fill the skills gap in engineering so with this in mind we commenced on a radical joint training initiative with the ECITB in September 2016. The plan is for the Vogal Group to directly employ eight of the candidates as second year apprentices later this year. Due to the success of this scheme, the ECITB has agreed to a further programme for twelve potential apprentices commencing with us this September who will then be offered a second year apprenticeship in 2018.
On the subject of Vogal Industrial Training, we are currently seeking to employ a further mechanical engineering instructor to support the current team. Again this is due to the continued success of the Training Centre with regard to an increase in apprentice and commercial training programme. Would any potential candidates please contact the Training Centre manager Paul Wakefield.
We have also recognised the requirement to develop relationships with local schools in Peterborough to encourage young people into engineering. With this in mind we will be involved in an initiative to improve and maintain the sustainability of skills in the area. To this end, we have been attending “open day” type events at a number of venues in the area on a double decker bus that toured schools and shopping centres. Also, we will be attending Industry/Careers Days at schools (the next one being at Ormiston Bushfield Academy on 22/06/17) to support the Peterborough City Council and the Department for Work and Pensions. There is also a careers event in the Peterborough Arena on 23/06/17 which Vogal will be attending along with the ECITB where thousands of young people will come to gain careers advice and to see the different type of apprenticeships and training schemes that are available to them in the area.
I have already mentioned the successful move to the Group’s new head office, continuing with this theme we are at a cross roads with regard to our Training Centre. I am considering the relocation of VIT to Kingston Park onto land that we have set aside for further expansion. Another option is that we may completely refurbish the current facility on the outskirts of Peterborough. Watch this space!!
I am very proud of our sustained excellent health and safety record, we have recently been undertaking more complex and high risk activities without incident. For example, we are currently undertaking welding and cutting works within Cat 3 confined spaces during day and nightshifts for the ninth consecutive year without major incident. Complex electrical works have been completed without incident whilst working at height within ATEX rated areas to name but two examples
Supervisors, managers and directors continue to complete Vogal Safety Audits whilst out on site and the initiative to improve near miss reporting by all has proved to be successful with these being completed by everyone involved.
I would like to end by congratulating and thanking all at Vogal for their continued support and efforts during the recent moves.
Ben Atkins
Chairman
