We work hard to ensure that our recruitment programmes are geared to identify customer-focused people with the passion to deliver.
Duncan Fellows, British Gas Engineer, Cheltenham Spa, UK
In North America, Ferguson is widely respected for market-leading graduate programmes that once again brought people into the organisation in 2005/6 and has recently seen them recognised by Business Week magazine as one of the top 50 places in the USA to start and build a career. People don't just join Wolseley companies - they stay at Wolseley companies for long-term careers. Our new Group Chief Executive, the head of our North American organisation and the President and CEO of Ferguson, along with countless other members of our leadership team, each have over 20 years' service with the Group.
The European Graduate Programme ("EGP") delivers a pipeline of internationally-minded graduates who can move effortlessly between cultures as well as languages. The programme, which provides a mix of on-the-job training with formal residential courses, has proved popular with trainees and managers alike.
Across the Group, the EGP is complemented by a wide range of innovative activities, ranging from established programmes at Stock Building Supply to the new Groupwide International Leadership Development Programme, among others.
During the last year we invested £21 million on 142,000 days of training and development.
This investment in our people allows us to deliver the services our customers need. For example, British Gas service engineers are able to get on with their jobs, thanks to an innovative agreement with Wolseley UK. A single national account means that engineers can collect products and spare parts from any of our branches throughout the UK, with just a signature, meaning better and more immediate service for British Gas customers.
