Recruitment and Retention Leader

This award recognises a consulting firm within the construction and civil engineering industry that has implemented a strong recruitment policy to attract new talent to the business while simultaneously ensuring that it retains its existing skilled workforce.

AJMS Consultants

AJMS Consultants are helping rail contractors deliver successful projects by providing flexible, responsive and high-quality civil design solutions. We deliver designs primarily for minor civils and structures in Signalling and Electrification projects and Temporary Works Design.Our strategy is to have client satisfaction at the fore of everything we do. We set company and project goals focusing on our clients’ immediate needs with a ‘can do’ attitude. Providing assurances that Health, Safety and Environment, Sustainability and Social Value are the backbone of what we deliver, is key to our clients.We play to the strength of an SME, with our flexible and responsive nature, allowing our clients to successfully deliver, particularly within the railway where tight and pressured programmes and budgets prevail.Our client focus offers efficiency through pragmatic and innovative design delivery with early collaboration and engagement, alongside our understanding of the complexities of rail projects

Amey

Amey’s inclusive recruitment policy uses online platforms and bespoke partnerships to attract diverse candidates, breaking down barriers to entry and securing a diverse set of skills and expertise to solve client problems. Our ReStart programme provides structured 12-week, paid placements in engineering, environmental, or digital roles for candidates looking to restart their career or transfer their existing skills into the infrastructure sector.Providing a modern and flexible workplace where all employees can thrive, we observed a marked improvement in retention in 2023, with attrition, down nearly 4%. We safeguard employee retention and support career development through Continuous Performance Management (informal, frequent conversations, ensuring prompt feedback and support) and our Progression Framework, facilitating timely career advancement and individual ownership of progression. Our people manager and diverse leadership training programmes enhance employability and ensure cohesive well-run teams. Embedding consistent leadership behaviours, providing mentoring, coaching and individual budgets for bespoke training needs.

Driven International

Since the creation of Driven International in September 2015, the team has grown from 1 founding member to a strong team of 16 full time staff. During this period, no member of staff has left the team meaning the team has only ever grown in size, offering a professional and flexible working atmosphere that champions innovation, freedom and creativity to push the boundaries of design.Driven is passionate about motorsport, and the niche nature of the industry attracts passionate talent to the company where staff can focus on their individual growth through industry charterships and accreditations, ensuring talent is retained. Driven also focuses on hiring the best talent available from around the world with an international visa sponsorship scheme in place to ensure the best creative and technical minds can join the company.

MHB Consultants

MHB Consultants, an employee-owned civil engineering firm, has transformed itself in the past 18 months through innovative strategies which included establishing an Employee Ownership Trust, diversifying services, expanding geographically and investing in its people. We achieved 10% revenue growth, 24% increase in staff numbers, and expanded our geographical reach, opening our newest office in London in May 2022. Our commitment to client value and technical excellence is illustrated by the case study on Alyth Substation carried out for BAM Nuttall. Close collaboration with other stakeholders is demonstrated by our Ground Engineering award with QTS. Client's appreciation of our approach is demonstrated through the Testimonials included as an Appendix to this submission. This, in addition to our commitment to employee well-being, makes us a strong competitor for the NCE’s “Recruitment and Retention Leader” award.

Mine Environment Management

Mine Environment Management Ltd. (MEM) is a small and innovative environmental engineering consultancy which emphasises sustainability and ethical performance within the mining sector. In 2023, MEM grew from seven to ten employees, spread across Denbigh, Cardiff, the Peak District and Pembrokeshire. Recruitment efforts include outreach to universities, and offering industrial placements to postgraduate students (seven MSc placements since 2019). Team retention considerations include company pension scheme; enhanced annual leave; private healthcare; remote, hybrid and part time working; bonus scheme; and in mid 2023 MEM moved the South Wales office location from Ebbw Vale to Cardiff to reduce commuting time and improve work/life balance. All colleagues are encouraged to participate in research and development projects, with the opportunity to present findings at international conferences. Regular in person team gatherings have included weekends away and international fieldtrips, to help team integration and employee development.