While most of the engineers hold a qualification in one particular trade, possessing the additional NVQ means they have skills to complete several trade tasks, in areas such as carpentry, plastering and plumbing, which they were not previously trained to do.

It brings the numbers of qualified multi-skilled Willmott Dixon engineers working in the north of Birmingham to 151. They are part of the company’s response team working with Birmingham City Council to repair and maintain 60,000 properties across the city.

Willmott Dixon Partnerships has two contracts for the north and south of the city, covering areas such as Edgbaston, Hall Green, Northfield, Selly Oak, Ladywood, Erdington, Perry Bar and Sutton Coldfield. The training is part of a process that aims to reduce the cost of this service by £47m over the five year terms of the two contracts.

Pauline Chatt, Willmott Dixon’s branch manager in the north of Birmingham, said, “This investment in skills means that when our team visit homes to complete a repair, they can achieve more in one visit, thereby reducing the inconvenience to our customers of return visits.”

Mick Williamson, managing director of Willmott Dixon Partnerships, added, “Our company is committed to making sure our engineers have a multi-skilled qualification, so that those qualified in a single discipline, such as plastering or carpentry, develop their skills in other areas.

As well as reducing the time we need to spend in homes, the extra qualification will ensure our people can also develop as individuals.”

Willmott Dixon Group is one of the UK’s largest privately-owned capital works, regeneration and support services companies. With over 158 years of experience, the company provides services within the built environment to Government, registered social landlords, local authorities and private sector clients throughout the UK.

The Group’s repairs specialist, Willmott Dixon Partnerships, works with local authorities and social housing landlords to provide support services to over 120,000 homes, 1,200 public buildings and 50 commercial properties across the UK.

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For further information, please contact:
Andrew Geldard, Group Communications, Willmott Dixon.
Tel: (01462) 671852
e-mail:andrew.geldard@willmottdixon.co.uk
Website: www.willmottdixon.co.uk

Willmott Dixon is the UK’s 3rd largest privately owned capital works, regeneration and support services company.

• In capital works, we work with government, local authority and private sector clients, delivering capital projects in education, justice, retail, health and social housing. We also deliver interior design and fit-out services, plus sustainability consultancy to meet the low carbon challenges we all face.
• In regeneration, we develop complex mixed-tenure projects, often in joint venture with developers, local authorities and RSLs. We also seek opportunities in urban areas and are actively involved in developing accommodation under the PPP.
• In support services, we deliver a range of planned, preventative and responsive care to property, which includes maintaining 100,000 homes across the UK and providing a fast efficient service to a number of commercial brands