Celebrating Success: Exceeding Expectations in 2024 at HCTG
As we approach the final quarter of 2024, Highland Construction Training Group (HCTG) is proud to reflect on a year of achievements. Serving the construction training needs of the Highlands and Islands of Scotland, we’ve surpassed many of our targets with three months still to go. These accomplishments are a testament to the commitment of our members, the skill of our training providers, and the demand for high-quality training across the sector.
Hitting—and Exceeding—Key Milestones
1. Training Days Delivered to Small Companies
One of our primary goals this year was to ensure small construction companies had access to relevant, impactful training. The target for the year was set at 100 training days—a figure we’ve already exceeded with a total of 181 training days delivered by the end of Q3. This remarkable progress highlights the appetite for skill development and the critical role training plays in supporting these businesses.
72% of members have accessed training group support to date saving a combined total of £14k to date on the cost of courses alone.
2. Supporting Micro-Companies
Although micro-companies often face barriers to accessing training, HCTG has worked diligently to offer flexible and targeted programmes. By the end of September, we had delivered 15 training days, and while the target of 25 days may seem ambitious, our trajectory shows we are on track to meet—or exceed—it.
3. Continuous Growth Across the Year
Our quarterly analysis shows consistent growth. For example:
Q1: Training days focused heavily on foundational skills, catering to smaller groups with 188 training days delivered.
Q2: We saw steady demand in quarter 2 with 180 training days.
Q3: Continued steady performance, with a total of 109 training days delivered to date.
SHAD Bitesize
We delivered two SHAD Bitesize events to our members on Behavioural Safety and Knife Safety. We look to deliver more of these mini events next year. If you have ideas for topics get in touch.
Why These Achievements Matter
In the Highlands, where construction companies often operate in remote locations and face unique challenges, training isn’t just a box-ticking exercise—it’s an essential part of building resilient businesses. Our work supports companies in:
Meeting safety and compliance standards: Ensuring teams are equipped to handle site challenges safely and effectively.
Improving productivity: Upskilling workers to enhance efficiency and project outcomes.
Retaining local talent: Offering professional development that encourages individuals to build careers in the Highlands rather than seeking opportunities elsewhere.
The People Behind the Numbers
None of these achievements would be possible without the people at the heart of HCTG:
Our Training providers: Drawing on decades of experience in the industry, our trainers deliver practical, hands-on learning tailored to real-world challenges.
Our Members: From small family-run firms to larger contractors, the commitment of our member companies to upskill their workforce drives everything we do.
Our Board of Directors: A voluntary commitment from local employers to help run HCTG, bringing fresh ideas and new initiatives to members
Looking Ahead to a Strong Finish
We’re confident that the final quarter will further underscore 2024 as a great year for HCTG. By continuing to prioritise the needs of construction companies in the Highlands, we aim to build not just skills but a stronger, more resilient industry for years to come.
Join Us in Shaping the Future
Whether you’re a member of HCTG or considering joining, we invite you to be part of our journey. Let’s work together to achieve even greater success in the coming months.
Visit HCTG to explore our training programmes and discover how we can support your company’s growth.
Proudly Supporting Scotland’s Construction Industry. Together, we build the future.
