Enhancing graduate experience at Costain

Read the Costain case study to find out how the Transformational Leadership Programme has improved their graduate experience.

Summary

Infrastructure solutions specialist Costain selected Future Talent Learning’s Transformational Leadership Programme to provide an outstanding experience for graduates.

The Challenge

In the UK, Costain employs more than 3,000 people in roles that help to deliver integrated smart solutions to meet urgent infrastructure needs in energy, water, transportation and defence markets.

With a focus on refreshing its graduate scheme, Costain researched the market, vetting training providers to scope leadership development programmes approved for full apprenticeship levy funding in England. For this new approach to graduate development, the L&D team wanted to progress with a different type of provider, one that would bring fresh thinking and experiential development while seamlessly enabling Costain to deliver an amazing learning experience.

The global pandemic meant that much of Costain’s established approach of rotating graduate cohorts through business areas was now obsolete. Linked to this, any new programme needed to support and underpin the graduate scheme in a disrupted learning landscape.

The Transformational Leadership Programme is supporting us to provide a graduate experience that is outstanding, one I believe is enhancing our go-to-market position as an attractive, modern and dedicated graduate employer

Michael Bashford, Learning & Development Director, Costain

The Solution

Costain picked out Future Talent Learning from a review of 10 leadership development providers, opting to run a small 2020 pilot of its Transformational Leadership Programme as a way to ensure an engaging graduate experience.

Delivering on the business-critical need for soft skills development, this programme takes participants through dedicated skills modules, providing an opportunity for immediately practising these new behaviours and exploring further the resources, models or theories covered. Personalised three-way coaching trough a tripartite model ensures line managers are involved with important conversations and supports participants through their development journey.

The initial pilot was soon expanded to bring on board 30 additional graduates in February 2021, learning at apprenticeship Level 3 – delivered as a 12-month learning journey.

With engaging content, personalised coaching and virtual simulations, Future Talent Learning is a one-stop shop for an outstanding graduate development experience

Michael Bashford, Learning & Development Director, Costain

The Outcomes

Refreshing the graduate scheme with the introduction of Future Talent Learning’s Transformational Leadership Programme has enabled Costain to create new and engaging experiences for graduates at a time when a global pandemic had put a halt to much development. Learners have described receiving “a fantastically structured programme and something they’re thoroughly enjoying being part of”, along with feeling positive that they’ve been able to keep developing in this virtual way.

The overwhelming sense of positivity throughout the organisation cements this programme as something that’s adding value to Costain’s business, rather than simply being an initiative – and a way to spend the levy.

Future Talent Learning’s Transformational Leadership Programme is providing an outstanding graduate development experience while enhancing Costain’s position as an attractive, modern and dedicated graduate employer.