The training programme – which, according to the RICS is “the benchmark other firms aspire to” and was designed to fill a gap in the market for graduate project managers and cost consultants – won a National Training Award at an awards ceremony at The ICC in Birmingham on September 29th 2005.

Judges were impressed with Davis Langdon’s commitment to their professional development programme and commended the number of graduates reaching professional status each year.

The National Training Awards, which are organised by UK Skills on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills (DfES), recognise and reward businesses, organisations and individuals who have achieved lasting excellence and success through training and learning and are seen as being number one in their field. Previous winners include Vodafone, Transco, ISG InteriorExterior and Prudential.

“Winning a National Training Award gives us official recognition for a training programme which has already provided tangible benefits for staff and is a superb achievement for all those involved with Davis Langdon’s Graduate Development Programme,” comments Rob Smith, Senior Partner of Davis Langdon. “It perfectly illustrates the commitment and importance that the firm places on the training of our staff.”

Around 450 graduates have completed the programme since 2001, attending five residential weeks over two years, with technical training on what is expected in the workplace and personal development focused on issues they face. Training weeks are run when they join the business, and then after four months, 12 months, 18 months and just before the APC – the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) assessment process.