RECORD numbers of local companies are turning to training to boost their competitive advantage in today’s difficult trading conditions.
A heavy investment in skills has led to massive growth for Skillsbase, Leek College’s specialist training service that has just announced a staggering 36 per cent increase in its turnover, which now exceeds £1 million.
Skillsbase works with more than 300 local employers and has trained 1,250 employees during the past year across a variety of key business skills.
The numbers joining apprenticeships has also doubled to more than 100, as more young people realise that the apprenticeship route is a positive way of securing a job in times of high unemployment.
Skillsbase has also seen the number of local employees taking part in the Government-funded Train to Gain scheme more than double to 770.
With competing demands upon their finances, more firms are taking full advantage of the public funding available from Train to Gain and apprenticeships to get the highest possible quality of training at the lowest possible cost.
Skillsbase director Graham Logan said: “We are thrilled to report such amazing growth, especially at a time when the national economy has shrunk by five per cent.
“Our success is down to forward-thinking employers who appreciate that success in a turbulent and increasingly competitive world depends upon getting the very best performance and contribution from all of their employees.”
Among the many local organisations Skillsbase has worked with are Belle Engineering at Sheen, Bolton Power in Froghall, Britannia Building Society, courier DHL, JCB, lime and dolomite suppliers L’Hoist in Buxton, the North Staffs PCT, Staffordshire Moorlands District Council and Severn Trent Water.
Ray Neilson, managing director at Belle Engineering, said: “Belle is very committed to the skills development of staff and Skillsbase has been second to none at providing a tailor-made service right here on our doorstep.”
Chris Parrish, director of Specsavers opticians, said: “Skillsbase training has given our staff a reignited passion for their role as well as a significant boost to morale.”
The most popular training programmes on offer from Skillsbase include leadership and management, finance and accounting, customer service and business administration, ICT, hospitality and catering, manufacturing, engineering, business improvement techniques, carpentry and joinery, hairdressing, health and social care, early years childcare, literacy and numeracy, communication and language skills, first aid and health and safety.