Our founder, Bill Curtin, instilled the importance of staff development into our ‘DNA’, and nurturing our staff to achieve their potential is at the heart of our business.
We run a unique programme called “Curtins Academy” which is a transformational four-year development programme delivering key technical, professional and commercial industry principles to graduates, in line with the main relevant professional institutions (ICE/IStructE/IHT/Transport Planning Society/CIWEM) and Engineering Council.
100% of our Academy cohort are enrolled for professional chartership as part of their induction. In addition, Curtins funds all graduate professional membership fees for up to 5 years post-graduation. As a result, chartership enrolment across the business for 2021-22 has increased significantly by 21%.
The next step from Curtins Academy is STEP Ahead: our structured approach to management development. ‘Step Ahead’ is a 5-step training programme that provides a comprehensive understanding of what a Curtins Manager should do to inspire and lead in all aspects of management. We are currently also developing the Curtins TEQ programme to develop the skills, and further open career opportunities, for our technicians.
Three Winning Facts:
- At the end of 2022 we reached the milestone of sufficient carbon data on our bespoke database to allow us to set embodied carbon targets for future projects, based on analysis of our work to date. The targets vary according to building type and sector, including education, and mark the direction for even lower carbon impact.
Through the data, we are able to use carbon as a ‘currency’ in discussions with clients during project concept stages, to inform design decisions in terms of carbon impact. We are also working with several industry bodies to include embodied carbon in legislation, so that the speed of change can increase across the industry. - We are one of the top 1% of businesses accredited by the Investors in People Platinum Standard
- We piloted a Reverse Mentoring Programme with the ACE, which sees senior members of staff and less senior or younger members of staff paired up to facilitate a unique development experience. The programme has been repeated annually since 2019 with positive outcomes for our business including the introduction of a Workplace Nursery Benefit and the development of our Hybrid Working Policy.
