Costain's Jon Spencer has been appointed Chairman of the UK Contractors Group's (UKCG) Training Committee where he will be responsible for steering the efforts of major contracting employers in their approach to vocational training and apprenticeships.

The UKCG is the primary association for contractors operating in the UK. Its mission is to promote the UK construction industry and to support its members in delivering excellence by encouraging contractors to work together with their clients and supply chains to promote change and best practice.


Jon has been Costain's Training Manager since 2010. He joined the Company in 2006, first as a Safety Health and Environment Officer and then as a Project Training Manager on the 4Delivery team in support of Southern Water’s AMP4 programme of works.

A former Royal Marine, Jon spent 31 years in the service, rising to the rank of Major. He was also a member of the management board of the Commando Training Centre at Lympstone in Devon, arguably the premier military training centre in the world.

He said: "I am delighted to have been appointed to the UKCG’s Training Committee. I am passionate about apprenticeships and my main focus as Chairman will be to try and draw together the fragmented parts of the construction industry and ensure that we take some positive action with regards to the equality and diversity agenda. Our work with young people during their education and preparation for employment will be a vital component of this focus."

(CD/GK)