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D-Drill, one of the UK’s leading diamond drilling and sawing businesses, has been hailed as an example to others in the training of its future workforce as its fourth generation of apprentices have set to work.

D-Drill has 12 apprentices currently going through its training programme as well as managing director Julie White, who has also signed up to the scheme.

Of the current workforce, 45 per cent have come up through the ranks as apprentices, including Stuart Gould – the new manager of the company’s office in Coventry.

Gould was asked to represent the entire Diamond Drilling & Sawing industry at the recent National Specialist Contractors Council (NSCC) Annual Lunch to highlight D-Drill’s commitment to training and apprenticeships.

Suzannah Nichol MBE, of the NSCC, said: “D-Drill’s dedication to creating and training the future workforce deserves great praise.

“Apprentices and new entrants are the future for our industry, particularly specialist contractors.

“The number of apprentices employed by D-Drill and the quality of the training and experience delivered is impressive and demonstrates how businesses of all sizes can invest in their future.”

White believes the level of training has had a positive impact on the whole business and said Gould was leading a new generation of apprentices.

She said: “My father believed in apprentices and I have carried that forward since taking over the business. Stuart was an apprentice of mine and, now, he is taking on apprentices of his own.

“It’s absolutely the right thing to do to ensure we have the next generation of skilled people in the industry but the knock-on effect is high-quality service for our customers.

“In a survey with customers, 93 per cent rate our skills and knowledge as either very good or excellent.

“We’ve seen a rise in profit and a 20 per cent increase in market share. I am sure that these strong figures are helped by our firm commitment to take on and train apprentices. That is all coupled with the recent recognition of the platinum CSCS card standard award for exemplary safety on site and further highlights our training ethic.

“What’s more, neither D-Drill nor any other company in the industry will be able to survive in the future if we don’t have trained personnel. So there is no option other than to invest in our current and future workforce.”

Apprentice turned manager, Gould added: “I have not only had a considerable amount of time and money invested in my development, but the whole team at D-Drill embrace the apprenticeship scheme and have mentored me along the way. I have successfully completed an NVQ 2 and have been rewarded by D-Drill for my efforts.”

Coventry company D-Drill has kicked off 2012 with more than £1million worth of investment.

The diamond drilling and sawing specialist has bought a new company, is building a new office and depot in Wigan and has continued its investment in staff.

The firm has completed a deal to purchase Highway Systems – a cracking and seating business, located in the north west of England.

D-Drill has also bought a site in Wigan to expand its operation in the north, has increased staffing levels across its UK offices and is set to hire a new commercial manager.

Julie White, managing director of D-Drill, said: “We are investing in the future because we believe that this is the only way to grow in the current economic climate.

“That means expanding the services you offer, hiring the right people and giving them all the necessary training to make them experts in their field.

“We have done all of that and will continue to do so because we want to increase our market share and provide the same high levels of service to our clients.”

D-Drill has also launched a new fire-stopping service on the back of its latest investments.

Julie added: “Many of the skills required are the same as those that we already have within the company. We feel this is a further service that will benefit our clients.”

D-Drill has been shortlisted for two awards at a major construction industry event.

The diamond drilling and sawing specialist, which has offices across the UK and a headquarters near Coventry, has made the final cut in the ‘site preparation and services’ and ‘training’ categories at the Construction News Specialists Awards.

The company will now attend a ceremony in London in March to find out if they have won.

D-Drill managing director Julie White said: “We have committed to growing the company through investment and training and being nominated for both awards is testimony to that.

“Despite tough economic conditions, we grew in 2011 and the plan is to do even better in 2012.

“Being shortlisted in the Specialist Awards is excellent news and I am very proud of the whole team for all of its efforts over the past 12 months.

“Of course, we would love to win and believe we have an excellent chance in both categories but the fact we have been shortlisted is a great tribute to everyone at D-Drill.”

A UK diamond drilling and sawing company has been helping to restore a national treasure.

D-Drill, which has headquarters in Shilton, near Coventry, as well as offices across the UK, was called in to complete a crucial drilling job as part of the restoration of the Cutty Sark.

The ship, synonymous with the UK’s maritime heritage and overseas trade, is undergoing a major conservation project after it was hit by a blaze in 2007.

A series of contractors are working to ensure it is ready to be reopened to the public in 2012 and D-Drill was called in to drill holes where multiple layers of steel are being reinforced inside the museum and exhibition area.

“We used 5no drill bits for 11 holes,” said Emma Wood, of D-Drill’s London office.

“It was great to get the call to work on the Cutty Sark and shows the high regard in which D-Drill is held. It was quite a difficult drilling job and that’s why they called in an expert.

“The ship is regarded as a national treasure and everyone is looking forward to seeing it reopened in 2012. We are delighted to have played a part in that.”

The latest work follows on from a previous job carried out by D-Drill on the Cutty Sark to help install a bridge to access to the ship from a walkway.

In that instance, one 107mm diameter hole was drilled at precisely a ten degree angle, three metres deep.

A second hole was drilled at an 18 degree angle. Again it was 107mm in diameter and also drilled at three metres deep.