People and Community
GAP recognises that our most important resource are our employees. We are committed to the training and development of our workforce. Our aim is to provide a working environment where employees can maximise their performance, commitment and contribution to the aims of the company.
We have a dedicated Training and Development Advisor who is responsible for implementing a formalised training plan to ensure that employees are developed and training needs are identified through annual performance reviews and management appraisal.
By summer 2011, all drivers and fitters will have achieved their NVQ2 and CSCS cards. Throughout this process our suppliers have been supporting us with product training and familiarisation.
Community
GAP continues to support the wider community in providing assistance to good causes.
Education programmes
GAP actively seeks to offer work experience for students at local colleges who would benefit from being part of our on-site team for a period of time as part of their educational course. We would hope to be able to offer permanent employment for successful participants. We also offer work placements to individuals who are interested in working in the construction industry. They are offered work shadowing at our depots and Head Office to gain a greater understanding of the construction industry.
Social Enterprise programmes
GAP realises the importance of Social Enterprise programmes. Working in conjunction with National Grid, we are involved in a programme for the rehabilitation of Young Offenders into the workplace. The scheme involves the sponsorship of a number of Young Offenders and has proven that with careful monitoring and training, the majority of them do not re-offend, but reintegrate into society and the workplace thanks to the programme's effectiveness.
Employment programmes
We work on a number of employment programmes to help, inform and advise on employment opportunities. We are involved in an initiative with the Construction College in Kent which covers the South East area of the UK to identify and attract applicants for the East London area.
Most recently we have signed up to take part in the Commonwealth Apprenticeship Initiative. The project which is organised by Scottish Business in the Community and Glasgow City Council runs programmes to ensure that young people leaving school have employable skills and are aware of the opportunities available to them when starting a career. The HR team attend organised events to conduct mock interviews and facilitate workshops in CV writing and communication.
Charitable Involvement
We have raised money and sponsored various charities across the UK where employees and our clients are involved. Examples of these include the Lighthouse Club, Local Youth Football teams, Children’s Hospital and several Hospices. In addition to this, we hold annual Christmas raffles where GAP employees nominate the charities that they would like to donate to. Ad hoc donations are also made through employee involvement in charitable events, e.g. 10k Cancer Research run and Wear It Pink day in aid of Breast Cancer.
Our most recent development in this area has been establishing a partnership with Help the Hospices. This partnership is still in its early days but we are well on our way to partnering local depots with local hospices. To find out more about the charity and our partnership, click here.