Kier, Bam Nuttall, VolkerStevin and Taylor Woodrow Avoided Nearly £100M of Project Costs After Training Scheme

Why It Matters

The results prove that focused behavioural training can slash costly construction errors, offering a scalable, low‑cost pathway to higher productivity and sustainability across the UK building sector.

Key Takeaways

• £92.6M ($115M) errors avoided across 25 projects
• Training cost fell below £80 ($99) per participant
• CITB funded £360k ($447k) to certify firms as trainers
• Errors equal ~10% of project value, saving billions industry‑wide
• Train‑the‑trainer model enables rapid, low‑cost rollout

Pulse Analysis

The UK construction industry loses an estimated 21% of project value to avoidable errors, translating to roughly £25 billion (≈$31 billion) annually. These inefficiencies stem from fragmented processes, outdated practices and a lack of unified behavioural standards on site. The Get It Right Initiative (Giri), founded in 2018, addresses this gap by codifying ten common error causes and delivering hands‑on training that reshapes how crews think before they act. By targeting the human element, Giri’s approach tackles the root of waste rather than merely treating its symptoms.

In 2024, four major contractors—Kier, Bam Nuttall, VolkerStevin and Taylor Woodrow—piloted Giri’s Productivity Training Commission with £360,000 (≈$447,000) of CITB support. Over 26 months, 4,575 workers across 25 projects completed the curriculum, resulting in £92.6 million (≈$115 million) of avoided rework and material waste, equating to about 10% of the total project value. The programme’s train‑the‑trainer model reduced per‑person costs to under £80 (≈$99), a 50%+ discount versus traditional error‑reduction courses, making the solution financially attractive for broader adoption.

The broader impact extends beyond immediate savings. Improved morale, stronger client confidence and higher repeat‑business rates were reported, indicating cultural shifts that reinforce quality and safety. As the construction sector underpins the UK’s growth agenda—especially in infrastructure and renewable energy—scalable error‑reduction training could become a cornerstone of national productivity strategies. With clear ROI and a replicable model, other firms are likely to follow, potentially curbing the industry‑wide £25 billion loss and advancing sustainability goals.