A gas distribution specialist has won a £2m HS2 contract after working with a strategic partnership that helps local businesses train and recruit staff.
Whitcombe Pipelines (WPL), which employs 160 people at its base in Rowley Regis, will complete reinstatement works for gas pipelines for HS2, as well building new access roads and verges. The company expects more than 40 people will be employed across several HS2 project sites at any one time.
It's the latest landmark in a year of growth for WPL, which has seen sales doubling to £10m over the past twelve months.
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WPL worked with Wolverhampton's National Infrastructure Solutions (NIS) and its ‘Recruit, Train, Retain’ model to help it meet the compliance requirements for working on HS2.
NIS provides specialist training for the rail, infrastructure and construction sectors.
Damian Whitcombe launched Whitcombe Pipelines in 2018 after learning his trade from his father Ron.
He said: "Health and safety, training and compliance are very important features in our sector and come as a prerequisite for working on major rail and infrastructure schemes such as HS2.
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“Growing as fast as we are, we need to bring in additional expertise and the relationship with NIS typifies the type of partnerships we are trying to build.
“The training specialist took a lot of time to get to know our business, understand what we require and have subsequently implemented a ‘best-in-class’ training service.”
He added: "Our focus must be the whole picture - recruiting fresh people into the industry, in addition to multi-skilling and upskilling our current workers.
"NIS has increased our ability to attract fresh talent to our sector while ensuring compliance amongst our current workforce. This has been vital when tendering for both HS2 and other rail work as it gives us an easy way of demonstrating a forward-thinking approach and competency compliance across our current workers."
NIS also worked with WPL on recent work with gas infrastructure giant Cadent.
Matt Wright, operations director at NIS, said: "Companies can sometimes see training and qualifications as a burden, but we have turned the tables on this view through the power of technology and being able to offer everything in one place.
“We are steadfast in our commitment to improve training standards for rail and infrastructure workers and our MD, Davie Carns, is passionate about ensuring delegates can confidently take new skills into their work environment. By doing so, NIS are aiding progression amongst the workforce and improving lives which is a key aspect of our daily approach.
“Our close working relationship with the City of Wolverhampton College (CoWC) and the West Midlands Combined Authority has allowed companies like WPL to grow through recruitment, training and development of new and existing staff. This can only have a positive impact on the region and its people’”