Stephanie Lagan, Accounts Administrator a local employee from Draperstown is an excellent example of how to excel in the work place.

Stephanie joined Heron Bros.in 2005 through a local Joblink programme after a period of unemployment. She successfully completed an NVQ in Administration, levels 2 and 3, and is also our fully trained in-house fire marshal and appointed first aider. 

Now employed with the company for the past 9 years, Stephanie excelled in our accounts department and is currently studying to become an Accounting Technician through ITATI. Heron Bros. prides itself on delivering continuous professional development and Stephanie is just one example of the up-skilling opportunities available across the company from entry level to senior management.

Heron Bros. Liaison Officer, Shauna Young recently attended a Business Breakfast for employers in the construction in association with the South West College and the Department for Employment and Learning.

The breakfast promoted engagement on Foundation degree courses at the College and allowed students to network with potential employers. 

Kieran Mannion, Head of Higher Education Widening Participation Branch in the Department for Employment and Learning, said:  “It is critically important that employers are involved in the development, and the delivery, of Foundation degrees so that they meet the specific needs of the particular sector.   Employers can get involved through the design and development of Foundation degrees, supporting their own employees to complete one, employing Foundation degree graduates, or by providing student placements.”

Shauna Young, added, “Heron Bros. Ltd wish to reinforce their commitment to supporting the education of students within our industry through workplace provision, providing reskilling and up-skilling opportunities to existing employees and assisting local Colleges and Universities to develop curriculum relevant to employability skills.”

Heron Bros. are helping the GCSE students from Christian Brothers Grammar School, Omagh lay the foundations for their upcoming exams in June. 

Recently, 16 construction students from the Omagh school experienced life on a building site, courtesy of John-Paul Higgins, Site Manager on our Omagh Leisure Centre. The pupils visited the site in Omagh town centre where the fabulous new leisure facility is being extended and refurbished. They were given a tour of the site and saw how a construction site operates.

Heron Bros. staff also shared their knowledge on sustainability issues, health and safety, programming and role responsibilities which form modules within the GCSE curriculum. John-Paul also explained the variety of trade and professional careers in the construction industry.

Pat McNabb, Acting Head of Construction at Christian Brothers was delighted with the visit to the new centre and said “The year 11 and 12 groups will now be able to successfully use all this real world experience in their upcoming theory examinations in June.”

Staff, parents and pupils from Trinity Fields School & Resource Centre,Ystrad Mynach, Wales have thanked Heron Bros. Ltd. for their kind support with developing their school garden. 

Trinity Fields School staff approached Heron Bros. Ltd. to see if we could help them with their school garden, and Trevor Robinson and Seamus O’Kane from the company were only too happy to oblige!

Trevor and Seamus helped Trinity Fields staff and volunteers build accessible raised planter boxes and also provided materials, diggers, dumper trucks and soil.

Farran Herons Joint Venture (FHJV) for the Merseycare TIME project have been formally adopted by Hugh Baird College as a case study for their Year One students on the Construction Extended Diploma Programme. 

Alan Carden, Professional Studies Lecturer, brought 12 students to our Clockview project to gain an insight into the construction process.

Led by Design Manager, Lee Simpson, FHJV delivered a presentation on the responsibilities of the construction team and the education route each of us had taken.  Site Manager, Joe Graham  then gave the students a brief outline of the construction programme and an overview of a typical day on site, followed by a tour of the site.

FHJV look forward to welcoming them back throughout our year of adoption.