Yorkshire roofing and building firm Ploughcroft has been named one of the best construction companies in the country to work for thanks to it approach to teambuilding and training.

All nominations for the Best Places to Work in Construction Awards have to come from employees – and a high percentage of staff has to put the company forward before it can be considered for a prize.

Ploughcroft beat the other five nominees in the Specialist Contractor section as the judges found it to be ‘outstanding’.

The firm came tops because of its personalised career progression programmes, which make full use of its own training centre in Brighouse. The moment someone starts working for Ploughcroft, they are assessed for a career progression programme designed to suit their individual needs.

Training is then given and reviewed every three months to enable employees to move to the next level of competence or skill and see clear career progression taking place.

Every employee gets to take part in teambuilding away days which involve activities ranging from quad biking to driving Land Rovers around a lake blindfold.

In addition, staff told judges about the good working environment at Ploughcroft, having respect from the top and seeing the senior management’s determination to drive the company forward.

Ploughcroft managing director Chris Hopkins said he was delighted at the win, especially as it wasn’t his idea to enter. “Some of our site-based staff read about the competition in Contract Journal and suggested we should enter,” he said. “I think it’s great that the idea came from them: it shows we must be doing something right!”

Roofer Chris Hartley, one of those who suggested entering the competition, said: “I really enjoy working for Ploughcroft and have benefited from the career progression programme, having recently been promoted to become an A1 NVQ assessor.

“The training is top-notch and the teambuilding helps develop self-confidence and skills collaborating with other people. It’s also brilliant for staff morale. The theme of the next away day is building sledges and then racing them in fancy dress…. we’ll have a fantastic time”