A look back at 2023
As another year comes to an end, in Cairn Cross, we take a look back and reflect on the past 12 months.
Starting off the year, in February, we joined the 5% club, an industry-led initiative focused on driving momentum into the recruitment of apprentices, graduates and sponsored students. To date, we are exceeding expectations having over 10% of our current workforce engaged in our training and development program on an academic course pathway.
Alongside joining this commitment for Apprenticeship Week we reviewed our career pathways and personal developments for everyone within the business. We kickstarted our employee spotlight blog series, which allows us to put one of our valued team members in the hot seat and share their accountabilities and experience working at Cairn Cross and within the wider construction industry.
In July – Cairn Cross completed work at the Kettering rail depot, Northampton, installing hand washing facilities for their new electric and existing rolling stock fleet. The project included allowing the depot operatives to access the four, eight and twelve carriage trains ; over one mile of GRP TrackPan walkways were installed along the sidings track, allowing safe and easy access to the rolling stock and washing facilities.
September bought about the completion of the £5.7m Maintenance Hub in Peterborough for GB Railfreight which was designed and built by Cairn Cross. The 95-metre long two rail maintenance depot is situated on the sidings of the East Coast Mainline.
We were awarded two CECA awards at their annual awards dinner event in October. Our Hull Botanic Gardens were highly commended for Project of the Year, and our continued efforts following our signing of the 5% club and professional development apprenticeship opportunities with our bespoke training workbooks were highly commended for the Going the Extra Mile award. It was a fantastic event showcasing our continued hard work and success across the wider industry. Congratulations to all the winners!
In November, on behalf of Great Western Railway’s St. Phillips Marsh rail maintenance depot, we designed and built an upgraded carriage wash machine and plant room equipment. Working as the main contractor, we replaced several key facilities and systems, including the carriage wash machine, plant room equipment, control system, and effluent reclaim and water recycling plant.
It’s been a great year as we continue to deliver a range of projects for our clients and our team members capacity grows. We look forward to 2024 and building upon our continued success.