Last updated 15:43, Wednesday, 19 November 2008

COCKERMOUTH building consultants White Young Green (WYG) has been crowned 2008 Consultancy of the Year by industry bible Contract Journal. Business development director Philip Collard collected the award from BBC TV news presenter Emily Maitlis.

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Neil Riley

WYG, which employs 3,200 staff in more than 30 offices around the world, has been involved in a number of key Cumbrian regeneration projects. Recent schemes include the £4m eco-centre at Cockermouth School; decommissioning work at Sellafield; and a £1m revamp of Whitehaven’s Beacon Centre.

The company is also involved in a £3m project to transform industrial estates in West Cumbria, at Leconfield in Cleator Moor, and Bridge End, Egremont. In addition, WYG has been appointed to help deliver up to £20m-worth of housing and regeneration. A four-year contract has been awarded by social landlord Home to look at the provision of additional stock and regeneration in Cumbria.

The firm is also setting standards in-house when it comes to investing in training, recruitment and staff development. Recent weeks have seen the effects following the launch of an initiative called the Big Idea last year.

The Big Idea allows graduates to trial a number of the disciplines with WYG during their first year so they gain a well-rounded view of the company and how the various disciplines inter-link.

Tommy Hodgson, 18, who joined WYG recently, is being helped through further educational studies at the firm. The former Keswick School student started a year-long civil engineering placement in September and is already 12 weeks into the scheme. ”I’m being involved in a range of work for WYG so my skills are being developed in a number of areas,” said Tommy, who hopes to study engineering at Cambridge where he will be sponsored for his degree by WYG.

Andy Jenkinson, 26, from Harrington, is a senior technician and has been at WYG for four years. He is being supported through the second year of his BSc in civil engineering.

Andy said: “I’m now in the middle of a civil engineering degree through the University of Bolton. It’s a four year course where I have to spend one day a week at the University; it’s mostly coursework-based. But being in the office and having that experience in the industry has helped a lot.”

Neil Reilly, 22, from Maryport, also a technician, is starting out on his HNC in construction. “It’s definitely helped me already being in a work environment and doing my course at the same time as the work I have to do here at WYG has been linked into the HNC.”

Dianne Bayliff, 28, from Seaton is a consultant in her second year of a Foundation Degree in construction.

She started at White Young Green when she was 18 and has taken on a range of roles within the firm.

“I’ve really enjoyed all the training I’ve done at WYG and the company has helped me gain a range of skills and qualifications. For the future I would like to complete my degree and then go on to take a two year top-up course.

“The company really invests in young people and there are plenty of opportunities available here.”