AN Okehampton-based firm of drainage specialists which is achieving success through a culture of training, teamwork and the sharing of knowledge has been recognised as an Investor in People. Drainology, which employs a team of ten from its site in Okehampton, has been supported through the Investors in People process by Business Link for Devon and Cornwall. Founded by current directors David West and Keith Simson in May 1995, the firm undertakes drain surveys, repairs and maintenance for a growing base of clients across Devon and Cornwall. Drainology has built a significant market in surveying domestic properties on behalf of prospective buyers and has developed expertise in the repair of defective and deformed pitch fibre drains. Almost all the company?s work is derived from contacts with professionals such as loss adjusters, chartered surveyors and consulting engineers. Drainology committed to the Investors in People Standard in November 2004, as part of its drive to establish credentials for winning new markets within the commercial sector ? the company has achieved recognition in less than six months. David West said: ?We have worked hard at training our workforce to ensure that they have the qualifications and expertise to provide a first class service to our customers. ?Our site staff, for example, pursued the NVQ II qualification in Construction and Civil Engineering and they all achieved it with flying colours. ?Investors in People is very much a part of our working life. The process has helped us to refine our systems of training and communication and we`re now even more closely involved with our workforce than we were before.? The commitment to training and development has brought considerable business benefits to the company. Cross-skilling between survey teams and site teams, for example, is helping Drainology to generate additional profits by making more effective use of people and resources. The firm also gives its teams the autonomy to make their own decisions on site, which means that staff feel trusted and supported to deliver the goods. David West said: ?Drainology is looking to expand into new markets and to increase its share of existing markets and achieving Investors in People is very much a part of that strategy for improvement.?
