Blog: SECBE Awards 2021 finalist - Base Quantum Ltd

27 May 2021

sponsored by Cheesmur Building Contractors

Base Quantum Ltd

People Development SECBE Award 2021 finalist & 5th place in the People's Choice Award 2021

Base Quantum is a Chartered Quantity Surveying and Expert Witness Consultancy.

They know their greatest asset is their people. Their investment in staff personal development and training enables the team to reach their full potential - increasing the company’s depth of knowledge and offerings to the construction industry and the individual. Equipping their team with a broad and encompassing skillset encourages excellence and provides quality to their clients.

In the uncertainty of the pandemic, their continued commitment to training has demonstrated their dedication to people development. They have introduced their Internal Diploma to upskill their staff, and continued to invest in the technical software CostX, formal training and their RICS APC training programme (internally and externally), for which they have a 90% pass rate and 17 individuals currently on the pathway to become chartered.

They have established a healthy working environment in which juniors can learn, develop and thrive by providing their senior team with the ability to win and work on projects they enjoy and progress in their own careers. ‘On the job’ training is one of the most fruitful methods of learning, even with the associated cost implications.

Their current strategy for growth and investment has enabled consistent recruitment throughout the pandemic, with 32% of the team employed since January 2020. They have made the best of a challenging time by hiring the top talent that has become available, creating strength in the team and giving new energy to what has been a long year.

Retaining staff has been vital in providing continuity of service. Alongside competitive packages and benefits and a commitment to career development, they understand the importance of intangible benefits – a good work/life balance, enjoyable work, a sense of belonging and a healthy lifestyle. The past year has seen them make further important strides in supporting wellbeing and they now have a dedicated People Manager to facilitate regular meetings for discussions on mental health. Where travel restrictions have proved difficult for individual needs, they have supported staff by opening more accessible regional offices.

Their team is an eclectic mix of talent, skills and experience which reaches all facets of the construction industry. Their diverse and varied knowledge and the ability to share this and drive excellence is an unwavering ambition within their ethos. A diverse workforce leads to diverse thinking and their team represents their passion for inclusion – staff originate from 10 countries, speak 20 languages, 45% are women and 63% are Generation Z/Millennials.

Base’s accomplishments thus far are the product of its people; they are proud of and appreciate their employees, their endeavour to learn and the high calibre of their work. Their team understands and buys into their culture – 'if we all succeed together, we will flourish'.

Key facts:

• Base continually invest in upskilling staff – they run one of the leading APC training programmes in the country, with a 90% pass rate, and over the past year in the uncertainty of the pandemic have introduced an Internal Diploma to broaden and diversify the skills.
• Through the pandemic, they have identified and enabled growth opportunities, employing an additional 25 professionals who have experienced redundancy, a reduction in hours or were looking to find a new pathway in their career progression.
• They are committed to diversity and inclusion and this is embedded in all their actions – staff originate from 10 countries, 45% are women, 62% are Generation Z/Millennials and 20 languages are spoken across the business.

About the People Development Award: 

People are our greatest asset and this award recognises organisations that appreciate and nurture their workforce to ensure they maximise the value of everyone’s contribution to the business. By creating inclusive workplaces which support people of all abilities through training initiatives, education, mentoring, support networks and innovative programmes, companies can demonstrate a significant impact on the future of their businesses and the wider construction industry. More info.

Find out who wins at the Constructing Excellence SECBE Awards 2021 Summit & Awards Ceremony on Thurs 1st July 2021. Free attendance.