March 2003 Met Surveys make the Grade Met Surveys, has embarked upon an ambitious training programme that will take in almost every member of staff and all levels of education from pre-school leaving to organisational management. Met Surveys has already appointed a full-time Quality and Training Manager and established an in-house training facility at its head office in Lofthouse. Over the next few months 85% of employees will undertake personal training designed to expand their careers and the company's professional and commercial opportunities. First phase training is focussed on PTS Certification for railway working and First Aid training for all site personnel. The firm's surveying graduates well be encouraged to take the RICS (Royal Institute of Chartered Surveyors) Assessment of Professional Competence to gain Chartered Surveyor status. In addition, three senior staff members are currently studying diplomas in company direction or management whilst six others are being given advanced training in surveying and CAD software. "It is important that staff are encouraged to fulfil their potential and develop new skills, and this also offers tremendous benefits for investing employers," says Training Manager, Dave Appleyard. "At the moment there's a lot of technical and legislative change affecting the industry that we need to stay on top of if Met Surveys is to continue to be a successfully tender for major projects." Met Surveys are also helping to combat an industry shortage of entry level applications from school leavers and graduates by establishing work placement links with local schools. The company is now looking to offer bursaries to undergraduates so that they can complete degrees and post-graduate diplomas in appropriate subjects. It is also supporting education initiatives by The Survey Association and currently has 4 students attending a new surveying course in Worcester, which will hopefully be awarded NVQ Level3/4 status.