How GIRI training can help construction organisations improve productivity

The results of the recently published GIRI CITB Training Productivity Commission demonstrate the potential impact of GIRI training for construction organisations, GIRI board member Duncan Aspin from VolkerStevin told attendees at GIRI’s summer members’ meeting. 

“One of the major obstacles to improving productivity across our industry is the errors that occur,” said Duncan. According to GIRI’s research in 2016, these errors amount to around 21% of total project cost. Recognising the extent of the problem is the starting point for doing something about it, he said. And one way is through training.

VolkerStevin was one of the four construction organisations that participated in the CITB-funded productivity commission to become GIRI Approved Training Providers and roll out GIRI productivity training within their companies and on specific projects. CITB invested a total of £361,306 in 25 projects across all four organisations. The pilot ran for 26 months and saw 4,575 training certificates issued.

“The two things that the CITB wanted evidenced during this programme were whether the training makes a difference, and whether it can be self-delivered and self-sustaining,” explained Duncan as he shared the results. “And on both counts, the evidence is clear.”

Impact of the training

Analysis of the project found that the four firms saved a total £92.6 million worth of errors between them over the period of the commission. “That’s £256 saved for every £1 spent. And these are real figures. This report has been subject to an immense amount of scrutiny, and it’s backed up by the organisations involved.”

However, he said that the most impactful thing to come out of the training, for VolkerStevin, was the concept of ‘pressing pause to avoid error’. “This is one of the most powerful things we can do. At VolkerStevin, it has become standard language across the whole business, and that in itself starts to change culture and behaviours.”

In terms of those who participated in the training, Duncan shared feedback showing that nine out of 10 would recommend it to colleagues, while it scored close to five out of five for both learning outcomes and teaching. “Bear in mind that the majority of the training was carried out by people within these organisations who became accredited to deliver the training in-house.”

He noted that all four participating organisations had to designate a comparison site that couldn’t do any of the training. “Those sites continually complained that it wasn’t fair because they’d heard about the impact the training was having. And this is a brilliant way to drive engagement.”

From training to sustained change

“So, you’ve done the training, what next? We know what the problem is. We know the cost of error and its root causes, and we know training is only part of the picture. Well, it starts with leadership commitment. And GIRI training begins here. The very first training that is done is with the top-level leadership, then project leadership. And you need that commitment. It is absolutely critical.”

The next stage, Duncan explained, is translating the training into behaviour. “It’s all about creating the right culture and we all know how hard that is. The good thing about GIRI training is that it has this built in, so people come out understanding what behaviours are required and how to achieve these. But application is key, and it’s crucial to quickly turn that training into action, otherwise we fall back into our old habits. So, if you are doing the training, what are you doing next? Don't let it just wither away.”

To reinforce the training, it’s necessary to build it into your systems, said Duncan. “At VolkerStevin, for example, it is now part of our senior management tours to assess how we are delivering on GIRI principles and reducing error. This brings it into the normal way of working and that’s what we want to get to. And none of it adds extra work. It is all about introducing efficiencies.”

For those struggling to get management buy-in to implement the training, Duncan pointed to the results of the commission. “Participating projects saved on average 9.8% of project value as a result of the training. In an industry where we can struggle to make an extra half a percent on projects, this is huge. But if you need help convincing your business, let GIRI know and we can support you. A member of the GIRI board will come to your workplace and help you make your case.”

GIRI Design Guide e-learning

In addition to GIRI’s three streams of training, Duncan highlighted the upcoming launch of a series of e-learning modules based around the GIRI Design Guide. The Design Guide is a best-practice document aimed at everyone working in construction that shares recommendations to address the root causes of error and help to reduce avoidable error throughout the delivery of a project. The e-learning is expected to launch in the next few months.  

“It is extremely informative and I recommend it for everyone who has anything to do with construction,” said Duncan.  

Read the GIRI/CITB Productivity Training Commission evaluation report.

Find out more about GIRI training.