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Category: Uncategorised

Q3 wins IFM contract with leading fire safety products manufacturer

Posted on by Ian Adams

Q3 has successfully secured and mobilised an Integrated Facilities Management (IFM) contract with a leading, UK-based, fire safety systems company.

The contract sees Q3 deliver a range of services including cleaning, security, pest control, landscaping, as well as mechanical and electrical services to the HQ and production plant, where the company design and manufacture high-quality fire detection solutions for commercial and industrial applications.

This is a first-generation IFM outsourcing project, which is something Q3 has built a reputation for managing, as it grown to understand the intricacies and special demands of these contracts, as well as the need for close cultural alignment between client and provider.

IT security awareness training – our first line of defence

Posted on by Ian Adams

In today’s digital world, protecting our corporate and personal information and systems is crucial, because the threat is growing daily.

That’s why Q3 recently held an online IT security awareness seminar for all its senior people, to highlight the issues and provide guidance on measures to reduce the risk of individuals being compromised.

The course was delivered by Peter Stock of Stock Services, who act as consultants for Q3 and have helped the company achieve Cyber Essentials Plus accreditation. IT security awareness training empowers individuals to participate in this safeguard actively, minimising the risk of cyberattacks and data breaches.

Studies show that human error contributes to over 90% of cyberattacks. By raising awareness, individuals become more vigilant and less susceptible to manipulation. A security-aware workforce acts as the first line of defence, identifying suspicious activities and reporting them promptly, minimising damage. Unsurprisingly, many organisations now have regulations requiring employee training on data security and privacy because awareness programmes ensure compliance and mitigate legal risks.

Stock Services has put together an information pack on IT Security awareness, which draws on many sources and years of experience. This pack aims to increase awareness of IT security and serves as a guide and training tool, providing many tips on how organisations can protect themselves. You can access the pack here

Although the information pack targets businesses, it provides useful information to keep individuals safe online, both at home and at work.

The UK Government’s own “STOP! Think Fraud“ campaign also has some useful guidance.

New technology cleans up in Jersey

Posted on by Ian Adams

Q3 Services in Jersey has partnered with Industrial Cleaning Equipment Ltd (ICE), to introduce a wide range of hi-tech cleaning equipment to the island, as part of a major, public sector, cleaning contract recently awarded to Q3.

In a significant three-year deal, ICE will be supplying back-pack vacuum cleaners, cordless floor cleaners and robotic vacuum cleaners and scrubber driers, which Q3 will deploy to support its cleaning teams across the new, multi-site, contract, mobilising this month.

Commenting on the first major implementation of robotic cleaning in the Channel Islands, Matthew Galvin, Q3 Operations Director, said, “This innovative approach, using cobotics so extensively is a step-change in the local market, allowing us to revolutionise our service delivery”.

Damien Hiles, Key Account Director of ICE said, “We are delighted to be working with Q3 and providing the most innovative cleaning equipment available on the market. Having a sole supplier provides Q3 with a stable source of high-quality cleaning equipment, fostering a long-term business relationship”.

New technology cleans up in Jersey
A Phantas Unit, with (L to R) Matthew Galvin, Q3, Damien Hiles, ICE and Johnny Neto, Q3

Joseph Trodd – Apprentice Profile

Posted on by Ian Adams

In Apprenticeship Week, we are talking with another Q3 apprentice, Joseph Trodd. Joe is an apprentice Building Services Engineer based at the London HQ of one of our prestigious clients, Salesforce Inc, the market-leading CRM software company. He is currently on the 2nd year of his level 3 service and maintenance engineer apprenticeship.

What have you learnt so far from this apprenticeship?

I have learnt a great deal since beginning this apprenticeship in September 2022. So far, I have gained an understanding about the different services and systems found within buildings, such as ventilation, heating, water supply and electrical supply. I have also learnt about how building management systems and fire detection systems work.

What have you enjoyed about this apprenticeship?

I have really enjoyed the practical work in the apprenticeship and the problem-solving aspect of the job, which is hugely important. This has enabled me to work independently and given me confidence to make decisions on the job. Each day I learn something new! This apprenticeship has already given me a good overview of the different services needed within a building and as time goes on, I aim to specialise in a specific building service area.

What do you hope the apprenticeship will do for you?

I think the apprenticeship will open a lot of doors for me in the hard FM industry. I enjoy the technical side of the role, so I would like to work as an engineer before moving into a more specialist role or, with the support of my line manager and Q3, perhaps further my career into management. At this stage I am happy to be learning as much as possible.

 

Q3 launches iAM e-learning platform

Posted on by Ian Adams

Q3 has launched a new e-learning platform in collaboration with iAM Learning, to deliver a wide range of statutory and mandatory training courses to its administrative and operational staff.

As the majority of Q3 people work remotely across the UK, an online platform offers the most flexible way to ensure the company can deliver standard practices and training efficiently, consistently, and at scale, thus ensuring compliance needs are met across the workforce.

iAM Learning contains over 300 online courses covering a wide range of not only mandatory courses spanning subjects such as Health and Safety, COSHH, PPE and manual handling, but also voluntary training modules that can support individuals in their personal and professional development.

The learning platform lets users set their own pace and undertake learning on desktop or mobile apps, in a way that suits them, and at a time that suits them. iAM Learning has been chosen because of its extensive use of videos and imagery, making content simple and easy to follow, when used in conjunction with supporting written material.

Line managers can monitor the progress of their direct reports and are trained to provide the necessary support to help individuals to complete the training. Once individuals exceed the benchmark score for any particular module, they receive a certificate confirming successful completion.

Speaking at the launch of the iAM Learning project, Lucy Hayes HR Director, said, ”One of Q3’s core values is ‘Quality People’, and with workforce numbers increasing almost daily, the time was right time to ramp up our investment in people skills, by rolling out this highly adaptable and effective, online resource”.

Audrius Gricius – Apprentice Profile

Posted on by Ian Adams

We’re in conversation with Audrius Gricius, who works as a Controller/CCTV operator at The Square retail shopping centre contract in Camberley. Audrius is enrolled in a team leader/supervisor apprenticeship programme.

What have you learnt so far from this apprenticeship?

So far, I have gained better understanding of the role and responsibilities of a team leader/supervisor, as well as the importance of effective communication between different departments within our operation.

What have you enjoyed about this apprenticeship?

Since starting my apprenticeship, I have enjoyed learning new skills and acquiring knowledge to help me in my current role. I have found the apprenticeship challenging, however the support I received from my tutor Colin Ripley to be very helpful and valuable to my progression and development.

What do you hope the apprenticeship will do for you?

I had hoped that the apprenticeship would develop me with the necessary skills and knowledge to become a better person and a great team leader in my current role. I have seen from my lessons and the apprenticeship that I am confidently embedding this into my role. My next hope is that I achieve a supervisor’s position upon completion.

Welcome to Q3 Punam!

Posted on by Ian Adams

Punam Neupane has joined Q3 as Finance Assistant with responsibility for the hard services part of our business. Punam started on the first working day of 2024, so is celebrating simultaneously not only the start of an exciting new job but also a New Year!

She is looking to develop her career in finance and in parallel with her role at Q3, is studying ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) qualifications through distance learning and anticipates sitting her exams in the coming months.

When not at the Q3 office with her head in the finance books, Punam is busy with her family but also finds time for running using the Strava activity tracking app. As any good accountant will tell you, if you can’t measure it, you can’t manage it!

Festive thoughts from the MF of FM

Posted on by Ian Adams

As Christmas fast approaches and a New Year beckons, CEO Martyn Freeman shares his thoughts on Q3’s 2023, and all that lies ahead.

“The Festive season is fast approaching and before we can blink it will be 2024. It doesn’t seem that long ago since last December when I was reflecting on the impending 5th anniversary of the founding of Q3. I remember thinking at that time that such a lot has happened in five years and as I look back on the last twelve months, the pace has not relented.

“At this time of the year, in business and in my life outside work, I always find time to reflect on things. The routine slows down to suit the mood of the season and I find it’s a good time to look back on the progress and achievements of one year and give a nod to the challenges that lie ahead on the “to-do” list in the New Year.

“One thought that struck me as I reminisced, is that although Q3 has grown rapidly to be an established FM business with a turnover of over £20million, we still haven’t lost our roots. We have stuck to running the business based on our Q3 core values – Quality People, Quality Service, Quality Workplaces.

“I’m pleased that we haven’t sold out on those original values or diluted them in any way, and simply continued pursuing the same approach we started with. We still prioritise looking after our people because, like night follows day, we realise we just cannot deliver the quality service and the quality workplaces without them.

“And our people have not had an easy time of it. Let’s face it, with the cost-of-living crisis and everything else that’s going on, it’s been a tough year for everyone. This year, we introduced some new people initiatives including the “Daisy” platform, with its inbuilt wellbeing advice centre, staff recognition system and retail discounts for staff. We launched a new bereavement policy, and our new e-learning platform goes live imminently. As we grow and aim to reach our next milestone, we need to be investing in all the right things to support and reinforce our people and realise our individual and collective goals.

“We’ve always believed that talking to people is the best way to run a business and that includes not only staff but also clients and suppliers. Even simple things like conducting client satisfaction surveys by TEAMS rather than faceless online tick-box surveys, make a difference. I’m pleased to say that we continue to pursue a face-to-face approach whenever possible, at every level of the organisation. As we grow, it will be a challenge to retain the personal touch and keep things simple, but it is something I am desperate we should not lose.

“We operate an open and transparent way of trading and continue to build a sustainable business model – not just sustainable in the “green” sense but creating a sustainable business with longevity that provides stability to the people who work for us. We continue to bid selectively, choosing to work with clients who appreciate the value of the service we provide and who also share the same culture and values. I am pleased to announce that we have another new significant contract about to land, which we hope to announce officially during the New Year.

“Let me take this opportunity to wish all our suppliers, partners, client and employees a very happy and peaceful time over the festive period and the very best wishes for a successful and prosperous 2024.”

Josh Marodeen – Apprentice Profile

Posted on by Ian Adams

We’re in conversation with Josh Marodeen, who currently works as a cleaner at the Q3 contract with Specsavers in Whiteley in Hampshire and has shown a keen interest to develop a career in business development.

To pursue his ambition, Josh now balances a dual role arrangement, sharing his time cleaning with Specsavers as well as working part-time as a business development apprentice with Q3. To help him in his business development role, Josh is pursuing a Sales Executive level 4 Business Standard Apprenticeship at Fareham college.

What have you learnt so far from this apprenticeship?

I have currently been on this apprenticeship since April 2023, and I have learnt a lot more information about sales and the corporate side of the FM business sector. I have been involved in some site visits for potential tenders, which I found to be extremely interesting, because it gave me an insight the variety of different organisations in which FM operates. I have also developed my interactive skills as I had to work with a range of stakeholders to complete tenders and build relationships with potential and existing clients. The apprenticeship and the support I get from my manager and team has made more confident to be more in the practical elements of the processes and decisions that I make to be effective in my role in business development.

What have you enjoyed about this apprenticeship?

I’ve enjoyed understanding the theory learning from college and I am able to relate this to the small team in which I work. It’s given me the opportunity to embed and build creative initiatives and  ideas to help promote Q3.

With my new-found confidence I’ve also enjoyed meeting people, both internally and externally. I have enjoyed attending college sessions as part of this apprenticeship, as it has enabled me to meet a range of people from different sectors and backgrounds, broadening my horizon on what business development looks like in other sectors.

I meet with my tutor Andrea regularly, and I have found these sessions of great benefit as I get feedback on my work so that I can continue to develop within my role.

What do you hope the apprenticeship will do for you?

I am hoping this apprenticeship opens a lot of future opportunities that match my skill set. I am hoping it solidifies my knowledge of the whole corporate world, by understanding the FM sector and how business development will continue to be a central part of Q3 future success. While Q3 is my employer of choice, I have a great love of football and I have an aspiration to combine my passion for the game with some kind of business development role in that sector.

Another aspiration is potentially being involved in sales within the football industry – understanding market value and spotting trends that could be translated effectively into revenue to help grow a football club.

Paul Courtney – Apprentice profile

Posted on by Ian Adams

We’re in conversation with Paul Courtney, an HR advisor, working as part of the central team at Q3. Paul is currently studying for the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management.

What have you learnt so far from this apprenticeship?
From completing the apprenticeship, I have found that my confidence and the understanding of employment law has grown, which has enabled me to speak to my HR Director more proactively in bringing any concerns to their attention with problem solutions to make changes and improve our services to the business. The apprenticeship has been balanced well with the delivery and what I am completing at work. Within our sector, we will often mobilise or demobilise teams through TUPE. This meant that I was able to combine knowledge from college, with practical experience through working with my Director in a practical manner.

What have you enjoyed about this apprenticeship?
I have really enjoyed embedding the new knowledge of this apprenticeship into my workplace. I struggled initially and I would find myself second guessing my guidance and support to both managers and employees on a range of HR subjects. However, the apprenticeship has taught me to step back and reflect more often. Another benefit of this apprenticeship for me, is it has supported me to build my own network of People Professionals from other sectors to gain insight and of course to ask those silly questions!

What do you hope the apprenticeship will do for you?
I came from the education sector (post 16), where I would be working with teams from a range of sectors who were supporting their own learners through an apprenticeship. So, for me, it felt strange to be on my own apprenticeship journey. I hoped that by completing my own apprenticeship, it would give me wider knowledge base and understanding on the employment differences between the education sector and my new sector of Facilities Management. As the business continues to grow, I would like to think I would be capable to step up into a HR Manager role.

Thanks Paul.