Learning at Work Week - Fostering a Culture of Continuous Learning & Development within the Business

(LAWW) is an annual event designed to build and embed cultures of learning in the workplace. It shines a light on the importance and benefits of continual learning and development (L&D). This year’s theme, Create the Future, explores how lifelong learning at work can help employees create their own futures – from achieving life and work goals to driving innovation and achieving organisational ambitions.

With the built environment industry facing a growing skills gap, Bouygues Energies & Services (Bouygues E&S) recognises the importance of continuing to upskill our existing workforce to meet the demands of the future, and is above all, committed to fostering a culture of continuous learning and development. To mark Learning at Work Week, we’re sharing just some of the different pathways to learning available at Bouygues E&S.

Training Programmes: Empowering Employees to Excel

In an industry that requires specialised expertise, formal learning in the form of training programmes is a must to ensure our employees are equipped with the knowledge of the latest industry techniques, safety protocols, regulatory requirements, and skills that we need to succeed. By providing our employees with regular training and development opportunities, whether that be through Toolbox Talks, webinars, residentials, or online training, we ensure our workforce remains adept at tackling complex challenges in a safe and efficient manner.

Of course, the need for technical training is undeniable. But in a world where 1 in 4 managers never receive any management training, and two in five workers have resigned from jobs as a result of poor management, the need for management training cannot be overlooked. That’s why at Bouygues E&S, we offer comprehensive professional and soft skill training to ensure that our current and future leaders are equipped with the capabilities necessary to communicate, lead, and collaborate effectively. Testament to this is our recently launched tenth cohort of our award-winning Core Management Academy (CMA), designed to support managers in navigating the complexities of a new managerial role.

Ian Price, Senior L&D Manager at Bouygues E&S, shared: “Our 15-month CMA is the realisation of our firm belief that ‘everyone has the right to a good people manager’. With eight modules and a two-day residential, this award-winning unique training programme provides our employees with the hard and soft skills needed to excel as people managers and leaders. Training new and current managers alike, the CMA embodies the Bouygues E&S values of continuous improvement and ongoing personal and professional development.”

Social Learning: Sharing Knowledge for Collective Success

Social learning, or learning from others, is invaluable in the workplace, serving as a powerful mechanism for increasing collaboration and fostering a knowledge sharing environment. It provides employees with opportunities to learn from each other, gain diverse perspectives, and collectively enhance their skills and knowledge. This isn’t just true for teams that work closely together, or from new employees learning from seasoned professionals: in fact, intergenerational collaboration can deliver immense value in the form of inclusivity and enhanced learning at work. Read more about how Bouygues E&S’ longstanding mentoring and reverse mentoring schemes, alongside the work of our employee-led networks, contributes to learning at work here. 

Early Careers: Nurturing New Talent

We recognise that early careers are often a crucial investment in the future and actively support the learning and development of those embarking on their career journeys. Our award-winning graduate programme provides a unique opportunity for graduates to gain hands-on experience in four rotational placements designed to introduce them to different business areas and develop the skills needed for each. Furthermore, our apprenticeship scheme fast-tracks our apprentices’ development through the application of learnt practical skills in line with the company’s commitment to innovation and excellence. Bouygues E&S is proud to be training 79 current apprentice across a wide variety of pathways including Building Services, Finance, and Highways Electrical Maintenance. With 49% of our apprenticeships being undertaken by existing staff as a way to upskill, the value of apprenticeships as a pathway for continuous learning for all ages is clear.

Both graduates and apprentices alike benefit from the unique opportunity that learning on the job offers to develop skills via the practical application of theoretical knowledge. We’re committed to nurturing young talent and fostering an environment in which early career professionals can learn and hone their skills and knowledge.

Suzanne Bingham, L&D Manager at Bouygues E&S, said: “Apprenticeships are vital for the future of the built environment industry. They not only bridge the gap between education and industry but their accessibility to individuals at any age and at any stage of their career helps to cultivate a culture of continuous learning and growth. 49% of our current apprenticeships are undertaken by existing staff who are following in the footsteps of previous upskilling apprenticeships who have since benefitted from rapid career progression within Bouygues E&S – a true testament to how apprenticeships can act as catalysts for career growth and how continuous learning at work futureproofs our talent pipeline.”