Jim celebrates 40 years loyal service with NLTG

training
The Official Publication of
times
Spring 2014 Issue No.22
Jim celebrates 40 years
loyal service with NLTG
Northern Ireland Member Companies
Contents
Member Company
Nature of Business
Contact
Telephone
Accrington Grinding Co
Precision Tool Grinders
Russell Kenyon
01254-383088
Atrium Legal Services
Industrial Disease Claim Specialists
Matthew Horne
0800-840-1541
Baron Mercer Ltd.
Chair Frames, Office Chairs, Bar Furniture, Upholstery, Church Furniture
David Baron
01254-237953
Bradshaw Pattern Co
High Quality Cabinet Making
David Scholes
0161-624-5043
Bridgecraft Furniture Ltd.
Upholstery
Stuart Chadwick
01422-881000
The Cumberland Pencil Co
Pencils
Simon Wells/Judy Marsland
01900-609590
Dalesmade Ltd
Manufacturer of Hand Crafted Kitchens
Daniel Lambert
01729-824449
Dean House Plc
Fitted Kitchen and Bedroom Furniture Manufacturers
Noel Dean/Steve Markowicz
0161-627-0042
Delta Laminates Ltd.
Laminate Fabricators
Garry Rowland
01942-295170
Durr Furniture Ltd
Fitted Kitchens
Mark Durr
01457-871-941
English Hardwood Design
Solid Wood Fitted Kitchen and Bedroom Furniture
Paul Anderson
01524-735077
Float Glass Industries
Glass Processing, Merchanting
Eileen Foster/Dawn Offland
0161-946-8000
G M Fitted Furniture
Fitted Bedrooms and Kitchens
Shirley Aspinall
01254-872445
Hill’s Panel Products Ltd.
Kitchen and Component Manufacturers
Stephen Hill
0161-628-6100
Imperial Office Furniture Ltd.
Office Furniture Manufacturers
Jeremy Bennett
01204-364602
Interform Contract Furniture
School and College Furniture
David Monks
01282-614974
Latham Jenkins Ltd.
Contract Furniture and Specialist Joinery
Paul Witherington
01942-821414
Linden Upholstery
Upholstery
Jane Coltman
01900-64787
Mardan Products Ltd.
Manufacturers of Plastic Display Products
Gill Waller
01706-816692
Martin Moore Manufacturing Ltd
Bespoke Kitchen and Bedrooms
Paul Hill
01422-314888
Mills & Scott
Hardwood Kitchen and Bedroom Furniture
Phillip Mills/Adrian Scott
01282-431128
Orthoplastics Ltd.
Medical Plastics
Stuart Green
01706 874171
M A Platt Ltd.
Tables and Occasional Furniture
Nigel Platt
01254-234743
PLASTOREG Smidt GmbH
Office Filing Systems
Andrew Smillie
0161-335-2630
Quadrant EPP UK Ltd.
High Density Plastics
Joe Norwood
01706-811000
Rothwell & Thomas Ltd.
Hand Crafted Custom Made Furniture
Tom Shaughnessy
0161-832-9100
Saxon Furniture Ltd
Leather Furniture
Robert Jolly
01204-365377
Shaw Timber Ltd.
Timber and Sheet Material Component Manufacturers and Assemblers
Chris Woodhead
01484-848484
Simpsons of Greenfield Mill Ltd.
Fitted Kitchens and Free Standing Furniture in Hardwood and Pine
01282-863988
Solo Sports Brands Ltd
Distributors of Sporting Goods
Specialised Hardwoods Ltd.
Timber Suppliers
Steve Simpson/Philip Simpson
Deborah Poulson/Garry
Beardwood
John Fagan
Top Drawer Components
Moulding and Wood Component Manufacturers
David Clare
01706-870-110
The Lighting & Interiors Group Ltd.
Lamp and Lampshade Manufacturers
Oliver Tinkler
01204-707277
Vale Upholstery Ltd.
Upholstery
01422-885000
Whitehall Fabrications Ltd.
Corian Fabricators and Installers
Window World (WG) Ltd.
UPVC Window Systems and Conservatories
Stuart Chadwick
Mike Greenwood/Graham
McCormack
Cliff Spooner
3Y Group
Kitchens
Paddy Young
028-7964-2501
Ardboe Manufacturing Co Ltd.
Kitchens and Upholstery
Patsy Forbes
028-8673-7348
Alfred Briggs (Alwood) Ltd.
Solid Wood Fitted Kitchen and Bedroom Manufacturers
Wilson Briggs
028-3832-3296
W Oliver (Exorna) Ltd.
Kitchen Manufacturers
Willie Oliver
028-7035-6501
Petal Postforming Ltd.
Postforming
Patrick Monaghan
028-6862-1766
John Sheridan & Sons Ltd.
Office and Hotel Bedroom Furniture, Specialist Joinery and Coffins
Sean Sheridan
028-6632-2510
A Message from the Chairman
Specialist Joinery Fittings Ltd.
Specialist Joinery Bars and Receptions
John O’Hagan
028-7964-3021
T W McDonagh Ltd.
One Off Bespoke Furniture Design
Terry McDonagh
028-3833-3215
Top Glass Contracts Ltd.
Decorative Glass/Mirror Manufacturers
James O’Kane
028-7965-9333
Trade Mouldings Limited
Doors and Mouldings
Conor Mac Oscar
028-8676-2993
Spring is here: This always, for me, brings a great feeling of
optimism and well-being for the coming year. I can't help feeling
that we at NLTG are ready for what in business terms certainly
feels like an economic spring. When I talk to other businesses and
customers, there seems to be an overwhelming sign of growing
confidence which I certainly haven't felt for 5 years.
6. Apprentice of the Year 2014
Another area of success is the bookings, by members, of places on
our Effective Management series of courses both in the North West
and in Northern Ireland. Since I wrote the first courses in 1975,
Jim Harkness MBE
we have always had a waiting list of Members. That is until 4/5
years ago when demand for places fell due to cash flow problems
and the fact that most Members were not employing new/promoting staff for management/
supervisory positions as nobody was leaving management type jobs and workforces were
shrinking. Fortunately, at this time North Lancs Training Group were increasing their staff (now
272) and hence we added our staff to the course attendee list and kept the weekend courses
running (approx. 28 per year).
This year, 2014, we are again filling almost all of the places with Member companies’ staff. In
Northern Ireland we have just started a new series and have the ideal number of 14 attending
our Part 1 to Part 8 series that we started in February at the superb Europa Hotel in Belfast. We
have also notified every Member Company that attendance on this year’s courses will be highly
subsidised.
9. Long Service Recognition at M A Platt
Whilst it is not yet the end of our financial year, it is obvious that we will again have a very
successful year with pre tax profits in excess of £1 million. As a result of this, Members will not
be invoiced for member subscriptions for the 2014/2015 financial year, a joint member saving of
£27,500.
Our purchase of the Fleetwood Old Gas Workers Social Club will very soon give us a highly
modified/updated building in the centre of Fleetwood which will be used for our young person’s
Study Programme. At this moment, a complete overall/alteration plan is taking place and this will
ensure that the building turns out as a very high quality Training Centre – very similar to, but on
a smaller basis to the Old Bakery Centre. Hopefully the building will be ready for our occupation
in June 2014. Our other outstanding development is at Accrington next to the Old Bakery i.e.
the Old Chapel/Broadoak Gears. Hopefully, we will be able to start work on the modification/
modernisation of this building in the next couple of months, this giving us the much needed extra
classroom areas, for our growing Study Programme and Job Centre courses.
01925-767770
0113-2444892
01228-599777
10. 40 years of Service for Jim
16 - 17. Jake Berry 100 in 100
NORTH LANCS TRAINING GROUP LTD
Our accounts up to the end of January show a profit of £1,485,000,
again a situation that our team should be so proud of. Next month
we will be sorting the bonus payments out for the team, the main
one being payment for those who have worked extra hours without
any payment (prior to the bonus). Last year we had just short of 50
of the team who had averaged over 10 hours extra unpaid hours per
week for the total year. How is that for dedication? What a great team.
For NLTG, I believe we will reap the benefits as we have bucked the
trend all through the recession achieving higher and more amazing
results, growing staff and putting in place the management to take
the business forward when most companies have been shrinking.
This is due to the amazing foresight and hard work of you all.
Jim Harkness MBE
Managing Director
Steve
Simpson
What is even more exciting for NLTG specifically is that this
recovery will very soon translate into more training, especially in young people who currently suffer
the most from high levels of unemployment. Almost certainly as business confidence grows they
will need to invest in training and you are there to help.
Founded in 1969
Head & Registered Office
Bradshawgate House, Oak Street
Accrington, Lancashire BB5 1EQ
page 2 | Spring 2014 | training times
The spring newsletter already – it does not seem possible that it is
approaching six months since our last Training Times. We certainly
have much to report as our winter 2013 has been extremely busy
and successful.
Yes, we have again been very successful in our City and Guilds
Gold Medals for Excellence, there being five in total. This puts us
way out of the reach of any other organisation in achievements –
roll on the 5th of June presentations at London.
01539-622322
Tel: 01254 397119 (8 lines) Fax: 01254 872432
Web: www.nltg.co.uk Email: [email protected]
Registered in England. Company Registration No. 1948169
Jim’s View
This puts NLTG, along with initiatives like the work recently done in schools bringing awareness to
Apprenticeships, in a prime position to help those young people get a start. This is a very exciting
position to be in.
20. 3 Years Site Safety for Quadrant EPP
So my own humble view is, if you think we have done well in the last 5 years, to coin a phrase
‘you ain't seen nothing yet’.
Steve Simpson
Chairman
page 3 | Spring 2014 | training times
Business Matters
PROPER PLANNING
prevents poor performance
Most companies like to compare how this year’s figures compare
with last year’s. In the latest year, say, ‘Sales up 4.5%, gross
margin improved from 38.2% to 39.1%, overheads holding at
30.0%, net profit up from £56,621 to £58,512.’ It sounds like a
good year but therein lies the problem. The fact that things are
looking rosy ignores the possibility that things might have been
considerably better. Simply comparing current performance with
past performance leaves no room for planning what the results
could be.
?
The first question you need to ask is, “What profit
should we be making?”
If the capital employed in your business (Shareholders’ Funds plus
loan capital) amounts to £500,000, you should aim in the coming
year to make a 20% return on it i.e. £100,000 of net profit – and
that’s a lot more than £58,512.
?
Think about the overheads you are planning to
have in place for the coming year – say £150,000.
You can then add the two figures together:
Planned net profit
Planned overheads
To give the contribution required to make your
£100,000 profit i.e.
?
£100,000
£150,000
£250,000
Now, this ‘required contribution’ has to come from
your planned sales for the year, less, all the costs
directly chargeable against those sales.
The following table illustrates for a furniture maker how this could
be set out:
£000’s
Products
Upholstered Dining
Desks
Total
Sales
500
300
200
1000
Costs:
Materials
Direct Wages
Manufacturing Expenses
Marketing/Selling
170
100
30
120
90
40
20
50
70
30
20
60
330
170
70
230
Total Cost
420
200
180
800
Contribution
80
100
20
200
page 4 | Spring 2014 | training times
Grant success and information
Apprenticeship Grant Success
This first attempt at planning the future business brings up some
interesting points:
?
The contribution total of £200,000 is £50,000 less
than we are looking for; it would produce a net
profit of £50,000 – less than last year’s £58,512.
?
When the contribution of each product is
calculated as a % of sales of that product,
upholstered is yielding 16%, dining 33% and
desks 10%. So what do you think about that?
?
Every £1 of wages spent on upholstered products
produces 80p of contribution; every £1 of wages
on dining furniture produces £2.20 of contribution;
every £1 of wages on desks produces 67p of
contribution – food for thought.
?
Every £1 spent on marketing and selling
of upholstered products produces 67p of
contribution; every £1 spent on dining produces
£2; every £1 spent on desks produces 33p – more
food for thought.
Vale-Bridgecraft, with the help of NLTG, has successfully
accessed the NAS grant and have recently recruited five
apprentices. The grant has enabled us to start developing
the skilled workforce required for the future. One example
is James Redmond, who started in September 2012 and
was immediately thrown in at the deep end. Today he is a
very proficient operator of a Lectra Top Spin CNC cutting
machine, having had considerable training on Lectra’s
Formaris Software.
Outside of work, James is a keen footballer and a member
of the Calder 76 team. Living locally (Luddendenfoot) he
has become a valuable asset to Vale-Bridgecraft and the
company is very appreciative of NLTG’s work in recruiting on
our behalf.
Funding and the associated training of apprentices has
made it an attractive proposition for Cummins Mellor to
employ support staff that it would not otherwise be in a
position to employ. The NAS grant and working alongside
NLTG has facilitated the additional help the business
needed.
This approach to profit planning encourages you to think. You
know as well as I do that most of your time is spent on doing – too
little time is spent on thinking.
!!
Sadly, last week I had to give one of my clients a
choice;
He could either go on the way he was going – flogging himself to
death, chasing around the country to get business, leaving behind
a totally switched off group of office and factory workers, making
money for a few months and then losing it all in the last months of
the year…or, cut the overheads by 50% with all the grief that would
cause…or, go into voluntary liquidation while he still has enough
money to pay his debts. He is 62 years old, started the business 28
years ago and has run out of ideas. Sometimes, in business, you
have to face up to the fact that the company is no longer viable. In
his case he has just not been able to spend enough time thinking –
he has been so busy, doing.
It doesn’t always have to be like that.
Keep on asking the questions.
Best wishes
Viv Stokes
Receiving the NAS grants has enabled Cummins Mellor
to employ administrative support for our recruitment
consultants. The apprentices have been able to cover
the admin tasks, thus freeing up the consultants time to
concentrate on business development.
cummins
mellor
Without the grants I
would certainly not
have taken on all 3
of the girls - probably
only 2.
Also, this grant is a
good incentive to help
any new business with
cash flow in the early
part of development
- I know it certainly
helped Financial
Guardian.
The apprentices have been able to provide much needed
telephone support so that no telephone call goes
unanswered, thus preventing lost business. An additional
benefit to Cummins Mellor from having apprentices has
been the opportunity it has provided to develop its own
managers’ training skills.
For more
information about
the grants available
and if you are
eligible, visit our
website
www.nltg.co.uk
or phone our
Employer
Engagement Team
on 01254 300779
page 5 | Spring 2014 | training times
Apprentice of the Year
Apprenticeship Awards
NLTG Employers and Apprentices are Highly Commended!
North Lancs Training Group were proud
to nominate 3 finalists for the North West
Region Finals of the National Apprenticeship
Awards. The finals where held at the
fabulous Co-op building in Manchester where
the national finalists for the North West
where announced.
Natalie Dudderidge - Express Banners
School let Natalie down badly by basically not teaching
Natalie is an apprentice with NLTG and because
she
Jim
G Team Manager),
t: Gareth Lindsay (NLT
L), Pam
to righ
left
her because of an accident she had. She did not let
has proven herself From
to
be
a
valued
member
of
staff
she
), Vicky Pritchard (DR
ctor
Dire
g
agin
ard (DRL)
Harkness (NLTG Man
Director), Chris Hav
(NLTG Operations
this get in her way and studied hard by herself to pass
has been offered a Mall
fullabourn
time
job and is now a member
her GCSEs. Since then, she has not let life get her
of the marketing team.
down and has battled for everything she has achieved.
Natalie’s confidence has grown substantially over the
She is also a shining example of what City & Guilds
past year or
so.pacIefeel
that she is a prime
example
of
n
of
can do for a young person through the NVQ process,
Online, we have bee
t and highlights the
“At DRL/Appliances
t3
a notable achievemen
mitment towas set
for the pas
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we have had over 100
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have
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eth Lindsay visited
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y were sho
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t
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’s
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e on to
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is a remarkable
a lunch knew
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re enjoying her
befo
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and some
rentice learners who
within the business
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current App
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to do.
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positive feedback
have had promotion
ing with NLTG.
e supported them
ributor of kitchen
k for and their train
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and
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She started using offcuts forDRLsmaller
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which saved
these
to
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nt. We look forward
g,
appliances or ‘white
in their developme
commitment to
as we
company’s Terry
y are a fast growin
Keith
- NLTG Training
Officer
known. Thethe
To mark the
tionship with NLTG
rela
es bettersaves
Vicky Pritchard
this
ted
on vinyl and metal sheets, this
now
company
ing
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sometim
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tinu
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Jim
,
at
pany who now
a
Apprenticeships
company and look
in
forward thinking com
ction, from DRL with
expand rapidly as a
appliance industry
- Head of People Dire
ance the learning
at DRL’s
the on-line
d
enh
laye
to
s
share of also
disp
way
approximately £3500 per year.
looked
at
the
be
onr
marketShe
will
iting
thei
which
and exc
L/
recently re-branded
framed certificate
our team here at DR
the UK. They have
and development of
nces on-line’.
‘Appliatook
”
rations asthis
advertising emails that are sent
6 staff head office.
line opeout,
Appliances Online.
are sure
t of
ht for DRL and we
to the developmen
es
The future looks brig
committed to
rning and
are fullyweek
members about 3 hours each
do. Natalie
between themselv
a
DRL per
Chris Havard, Lea
working relationship
vily in their team with
the
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and
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their staf
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- NLTG Team Ma
ed on their 100th
ntly sign
Gareth Lindsay
hours a week with her new system,
this
frees
upwhithe
ch is
The company rece
gramme with NLTG
Apprentice to a pro
other staff to get on with
rred to Natalie
Jeanette Buttler, refe
for
other jobs. The saving
Natalie’s manager,
definitely be looking
will
alie has
she
Nat
,
said
ners
and
Ban
ress
as a ‘star’
ands. When
Since starting at Exp
as the company exp
. Starting as a shy
ices
ngth
rent
stre
she
app
to
on man hours per year
ners
new
ngth
Ban
gone from stre
the technical
a future at Express
quickly picked up
company
asked if Natalie has
apprentice, Natalie
here as long as the
ner making and
job
ban
,
a
ng
has
hini
talie
mac
“Na
ery
said,
is £1500, altogether she
aspects of embroid
onto garments.
transfer of designs
exists.”
especially the heat
agers, Natalie
system with her man
has saved the company
been far
s
tem
sys
After discussing the
apprentice route has
rent plotting
diffe
try
to
n
issio
Natalie feels that the
due to a childhood
was given perm
in a saving on
going to college as,
ures; this resulted
than
ced
er
ough
pro
bett
over £5000 per year. This
alth
ing
,
cutt
and
on the
h design.
a lot of schooling
erials used for eac
injury, she missed
not feel confident
the amount of mat
m results, she did
exa
d
goo
has
got
tion
she
lifica
is a substantial amount
rm customers of
g while gaining a qua
s mailshots to info
in crowds. Workin
mmend it to
The company use
been hand
and she would reco
had
her
es
for
t
ress
righ
add
se
just
The
been
of money for a very small
upcoming deals.
policy to show
the same.
as it was company
anyone who feels
written in the past
font that could
h; Natalie found a
company. This does not
that
e
ctiv
a personalised touc
effe
G Training Officer
effect. This was so
Keith Terry - NLT
ry to
produce this same
in new print machine
sted
inve
rs
age
;
include how much extra
her man
er queries
and replies to custom
one of
produce mailshots
tion has now become
s
business comes in as a
the mail shot distribu
2013 I training time
page 17 I Spring
es.
duti
s
alie’
Nat
result of her advertising
emails.
L
R
D
r
o
f
s
e
c
i
t
n
e
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Remember this?
ss banners
els at expre
c
x
e
e
c
ti
n
re
p
p
a
r’
‘sta
page 6 | Spring 2014 | training times
Regency Glass and Britplas were nominated for
Apprenticeship Employer of the Year 2013 and
Garry Fitzmartin (Regency Glass) was nominated for
Apprentice Champion. There was stiff opposition in
the awards which had been dwindled down to 3 in
each category. The awards were presented by Pete
Waterman, himself a champion of Apprenticeships.
Regency and Britplas received Highly Commended in
the employer category, as did Garry Fitzmartin in the
champion category.
Wayne Fitzmartin (Regency Glass) said, “We were
proud winners of this title in 2004 and are proud to
have got so far this evening, we are also very proud
that one of our employees, Garry Fitzmartin, has been
recognised as Highly Commended for his commitment
to us. We were all up against stiff opposition tonight
but we are proud of what we have achieved.” Regency
glass have trained over 40 apprentices through NLTG
and continue to support the programme. Colin Duncan
(Britplas) also stated, “We managed to get to the finals
last year and were surprised at the calibre of entries,
it’s been the same this year but we are proud to be
commended yet again.” Britplas have placed over 20
apprentices on programmes and have recently placed
all installers on level 2 and level 3 courses.
NLTG assessor and centre co-ordinator Paul Fairhurst
commented, “It’s great to work with employers such as
Regency Glass and Britplas who are totally committed
to staff training and development. They see the need
to dedicate this time and commitment to meet future
needs. They all deserve the awards received.”
Pete Waterman and Gary Fitzmartin
Pete Waterman, Colin Duncan and Paul Fairhurst
Pete Waterman, Steve Massey, Wayne
Fitzmartin, Gary Fitzmartin, and Darren Briars
Paul Fairhurst - NLTG Training Officer
Watch this space! NLTG have won
a further 5 City and Guilds Gold
Medals for Excellence. Look out for
the winners in the next issue!
page 7 | Spring 2014 | training times
Apprenticeship Success
Employer Case Study
M A Platt Ltd
(Accrington,Lancashire)
Long Service Recognition
Logan Gowers - Urbana Contracts
Introduction to Apprenticeships
Jordan Baker -
Lancashire
Double Glazing
Jordan Baker of Lancashire Double Glazing has been
promoted to Production Manager at LDG contracts.
Jordan has worked his way from a Intermediate Level 2
Fabricator, progressing to Advanced Level 3, and now
continues his personal development by signing up to a
Level 3 Business Improvement Techniques qualification, all
through NLTG.
Jordan first arrived at LDG 10 years ago, starting off as an
apprentice fabricator. His duties and responsibilities now
range from every day running of the factory shop floor with
over 20 staff, ordering materials, organising and setting
production targets to recruiting staff into the company. He
regularly meets with senior staff during meetings to discuss
the running of the factory.
Jordan said that all the previous and current training he
has had from NLTG has put him in good stead and helped
him into the person he is today. He always recommends
NLTG and any new members of staff are put onto the
Apprenticeship programme immediately, so they can benefit
from the training that existing staff are benefiting from.
Jordan always looks forward to NLTG visits and takes time
to sit with Roy Pusey to discuss any further training needs
for his staff and takes a keen interest in their development.
Jordan went onto say that all the health and safety and
English and maths training provided by NLTG is imperative
to LDG to help create a safe and healthy working
environment for all employees and the training helps them
to understand the reasons why it is important to have these
procedures in place. “I would like to thank NLTG for all
their support with my own development and I will continue
to work with NLTG and Roy to support them with new
apprentices in the future.”
Roy Pusey - NLTG Training Officer
page 8 | Spring 2014 | training times
NLTG was approached by LCC to back a new scheme
called Introduction to Apprenticeships which was to give a
group of year 11 students the opportunity to get an insight
into the Apprenticeship programme. All students started
the 7 month programme in September which allowed them
to gain a Level 1 qualification whilst working in a company
1 day a week as well as undertaking the theory side of the
qualification at NLTG for a number of days within the set
programme.
Logan is currently working towards his level 1 qualification in
Furniture. He was placed with Urbana Contracts in Huncoat
to support him gaining this as well as giving him hands on
experience. When asked what he has enjoyed the most so
far from the Introduction to Apprenticeships programme,
Logan said, “I’ve enjoyed the work placement the most
because I like hands on work and keeping busy. Urbana
Contracts have made sure I have had something to do each
time I’ve been in.”
Logan has been a dedicated participant of the programme,
attending sessions at NLTG for the qualification side of the
programme as well as his work placement. He has been
spending sessions building a modern coffee table seat
which has given him the experience of furniture building,
glasswork and upholstery. Logan commented that the
programme has already helped him by getting him to think
more about his future after school. He said, “The programme
has shown me all about the furniture industry and I have
now decided that I want a career in furniture and will look at
gaining an Apprenticeship.”
Logan’s enthusiasm and keenness to learn about the
industry has impressed the managers at Urbana Contracts
already. Brian Sutch, a Director at the company said, “Logan
has worked well in the workshop and has been keen to
learn from the other lads there. He gets on well with them
which is often half the battle of coming into the workplace.
We’ve been pleased with how Logan has done during his
placement and have offered him a full Apprenticeship when
he completes his final year in school.” Logan has accepted
the offer and is looking forward to starting his Apprenticeship
in the summer and, in the meantime, will also be working
Saturdays with the company.
Marie Wilkinson - Employment Officer, One Connect
Limited and Steph Coleman - NLTG Sales and
Marketing Team Leader
Pictured with Nigel Platt (MD)
are Chris Chippendale and Kevin
Gregson with their awards for
the best woodmachinist and best
cabinet maker, recognising more
than twenty years employment
with M A Platt Ltd.
Kevin Gregson, Nigel
Platt
and Chris Chippenda
le
The company held a lunch-time
party celebration for Chris and Kevin and both were
rewarded with extra days paid holidays for their
continued service to the company.
Kier
Shackl an
eton
Work Experience
Recently, the company had a local pupil, Kieran Shackleton from
St Christopher’s High School, on work experience. He is pictured
holding a table that he made as part of his work experience and
Duke of Edinburgh Award.
1 IN 4 GRADUATES HAVE
NO WORK AFTER A YEAR
MANY BELIEVED THAT THEY HAD TAKEN THE WRONG COURSE
WITH 44% WISHING THEY HAD STUDIED A VOCATIONAL SUBJECT
A RISING number of
graduates are still
looking for jobs a
year after finishing
their degrees.
Some 25% have been
searching for work for 12
months or more - up from
12% last year. This is despite
33% of them applying for
more than 20 roles every
month.
Many believed they had
taken the wrong course,
with 44% wishing they had
studied a vocational subject.
Mike Fetter, of totaljobs.
com - which was behind
the poll - said, ‘‘Despite the
economic upturn, graduates
are struggling for work after
university. They need to
prepare for the fact that it
may take them a few months
longer then they thought.’’
The survey comes with
the latest unemployment
figures due today.
Extract from the Daily Mirror
and National statistics
page 9 | Spring 2014 | training times
Jim’s 40 years
Job Centre Case Studies
NLTG are working closely in partnership with Job Centre Plus to give training
opportunities to unemployed people and help them to gain employment. Below are
two success stories from the courses we are running.
Jim carrying ou
presentation at Alan t a
Coopers
ephen
Jim with chairman St rman
ai
ch
ex
d
an
st
ur
yh
Ha
Colin Greenwood
vestor
ing the In
Jim receive award in 1993
in Peopl
Jim celebrated 40 years’ service with the Group at the
Staff Annual Dinner where he was presented with a gift
from the Board of Directors. He also received a letter of
congratulation sent on behalf of the Duke of York.
He was thanked for his many achievements over the
years since he commenced work with the Group as a
one man band on 2nd January 1973. He has come a
long way since then having built up a business that now
employs 275 staff and is one of the largest and most
well respected training providers in the industry.
Jim and HRH The Duke
of York
at the opening of NL
TG
head office in 2004 ’s
Staff, Group Member Companies and the many
thousands of apprentices and learners that have
benefited from Jim’s relentless hard work have much to
thank him for.
CONGRATULATIONS AND A BIG
THANK YOU JIM FROM EVERYONE.
Jim with Stuart Ch
receiving a personaladwick
from HRH the Duke of letter
York
page 10 | Spring 2014 | training times
from
he received king
hy
op
tr
s
m’
an
Ji
in 2013 th
all the team 40yrs service
him for
award
ng his MBE2010
i
v
i
e
c
e
r
m
Ji
ueen in
from the Q
Jim and t
h
the Centr e
e
award
team rece
of Excell iving
ence
in 2013
James Goodwin
Chantelle Allen
What were your expectations when you started
the course?
My main expectations of the Job Centre course was to get
help with updating and improving the look of my CV and
creating a professional cover letter which would help me
with my job search.
What were your job prospects before the course
and where did you see yourself?
Due to having a few years’ experience within the warehouse
industry already, I was mainly looking for a job within that
career path.
What did you believe was stopping you from
gaining employment?
I felt that the reason that was stopping me gaining
employment was due to there not being enough vacancies
and a lot of competition within the borough. The only ones
that were available were through agencies and only on a
temporary basis and sometimes weekly contracts, which
was fine when I was living with my parents but now I have
a family I needed to find a more permanent job so I could
support my family.
What did you gain from the course and did it
exceed your expectations?
I gained four nationally recognised qualifications from doing
the course: Customer Service Level 1, Workskills Level 1,
ITQ Level 1 and Developing Own Interpersonal Skills. Also,
after the course I got the opportunity to do 2 weeks work
experience within the warehouse which then progressed
onto an interview and a 6 month contract, which I was very
pleased and happy with.
Please can you explain your current role at NLTG
and any future career plans?
I am currently on a 6 month contract with NLTG as a
warehouse/admin operative. My role consists of shrinking
down learner files and archiving in alphabetical order
and by contract year into the filing cabinets. I also help
out with the housekeepers and help Wendy with some
of the maintenance jobs around the Old Bakery when
necessary. My future career plans are to hopefully stay at
NLTG but if not, at least I’ve had the opportunity to gain
vital work experience and I will leave with an NVQ level 2 in
Warehousing and hopefully a reference which will help me
gain any future employment.
What were your expectations when you started
the course?
When I was told by the Job Centre that I was to attend the
course, I thought it was going to be a waste of time as I had
attended other providers’ courses and found them to be
disorganised and unhelpful. After the first induction at NLTG,
I started to get a good feeling about the course and after the
first session, I began to enjoy it.
What were your job prospects before the course
and where did you see yourself?
As I had been unemployed for 3 years, I felt I had very little
or no job prospects.
What did you believe was stopping you from
gaining employment?
I believed my lack of confidence was holding me back as I
started to believe that my lack of experience would prevent
me from gaining a job.
What did you gain from the course and did it
exceed your expectations?
I left the course with much more confidence in my own
abilities and I also learnt how to communicate more
with people outside of my circle of friends. I gained four
qualifications from the course which made me feel more
employable.
Please can you explain your current role at NLTG
and any future career plans?
My role at NLTG is to create the timetables for the learners
on a weekly basis. I am doing this for Preston at this
moment in time.
more
“I left the course with much
also
I
d
an
s
ie
it
il
ab
n
ow
y
m
in
confidence
with
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or
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ic
un
m
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co
to
ow
h
learnt
iends.”
fr
of
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cl
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m
of
t
ou
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op
pe
page 11 | Spring 2014 | training times
School Leaver Events
Take Me On events 13/14
North Lancs Training Group have recently hosted three ‘Take
Me On’ events at their Vocational Centre of Excellence, ‘The
Old Bakery’ in Accrington, where students were invited to
take part in Apprenticeship taster sessions, each lasting 30
minutes. The agenda for all of the days allowed students
to ‘Have a Go’ at activities within the following sectors:
Furniture, Glass, Hospitality, Warehouse, Logistics, Admin,
Customer Service, IT and Study Programme.
Throughout the days, current Apprenticeship vacancies were
displayed and students underwent a session which allowed
them to look at vacancies and work on their interview
skills. On one of the days, we invited a local employer, Mike
Skarratt from Atrium Legal Services, to come in and talk to
students about what an employer looks for when looking for
apprentices and their expectations of an apprentice.
One of these events happened to fall during National
Apprenticeship Week and as we had our Apprenticeship
Ambassador and Six Times World Snooker Champion Steve
Davis in, we decided to theme the day ‘I’m a Young Person,
get me an Apprenticeship’ based on his stint in the jungle
last year on the show ‘I’m a Celebrity Get me out of here’.
Students were invited to take part in occupational bush
tucker trials including a blind taste test against Steve Davis
himself. All the events were a huge success and we had
over 200 pupils attend the three events.
School Leaver Events
The NLTG Prom Fair 2014
The weather didn’t deter people from attending North Lancs
Training Group’s second Prom Fair on Sunday 9th February.
The event was held at the company’s Vocational Centre of
Excellence on Grange Lane in Accrington and was set up
in partnership with local businesses, exhibiting everything
needed to ensure a young person’s prom night would be
something to be remembered.
The event attracted well over 100 people who were invited
to watch several fashion shows held throughout the day,
all of which were modelled by NLTG apprentices past and
present.
Exhibitors offered visitors the chance to take part in
demonstrations and all exhibitors donated a gift which made
up a full prom package prize for male and female students.
Miss Teen Manchester, Dionne Adeodu age 15, also
attended and chatted with exhibitors and visitors.
Pictured above are NLTG apprentices and Yr11 pupils who
enjoyed the day by being transformed by the exhibitors and
the NLTG team.
Just Gorgeous from Crawshawbooth said that they look
forward to exhibiting every year that we are able to hold the
event and that the customer service provided by NLTG was
second to none.
Study Programme Case Studies
‘The Study Programme is a really good
way to help young people find a
job/Apprenticeship. I was only at the
centre for 6 weeks before I got a work
placement. I never thought I would be
able to achieve so much with NLTG.
When I first joined, it was just to help me
get Maths and English qualifications but I
have gained so much more. I am now
able to work, learn and provide for my
family.’
Stacey Butterworth
Stacey is now on a full time Apprenticeship at HML Recycling
working towards a Level 2 Business Admin qualification.
Study Programme Work Experience Officer - Vicky Smith
Hazel Hall
Hazel came to the Blackpool Study Programme on 5th August
2013 and expressed an interest in health and social care. The 10
week Certificate in Health and Social Care looks at topics such
as equality and inclusion, person centred practice and mental
health awareness. Hazel deals with additional needs on a day to
day basis and her commitment and enthusiasm for completing
the course has been inspirational to me as a tutor and to others
on the programme.
Hazel has not only completed the work involved in the course
but has also helped others to complete theirs in workshops
which were additional to her timetable. Hazel was always willing
to help others and arrived on time and with a smile. Staff know
that if they ask Hazel to do something it will be done quickly and
efficiently and that she is always happy to help. Now Hazel has
completed her certificate all her hard work has paid off.
Hazel had this to say after she finished the course:
“My name is Hazel and even though I suffer from Asperger’s
Syndrome and Dyspraxia, I found these lessons rather different
from any normal lessons. The equality and inclusion unit in Health
and Social Care touched on types of discriminatory attitudes that
someone with learning difficulties may face. For example, if you
have Dyspraxia, people may instantly categorise you as someone
who doesn’t have a clear grasp on learning. However, through
the Health and Social Care course provided by NLTG, I have
been able to understand how to deal with these discriminatory
attitudes towards people with disabilities and learn to cope with
them.”
Well done Hazel and good luck in the future.
Study Programme Keyworker – Simone Rawson
Liam started his work experience
placement in August 2013. As a hands
on person, Liam expressed an interest
in working within a practical work
environment. Due to his hard work
and commitment, Liam was offered a
work placement as a trainee machinist
with a view to progressing onto an
Apprenticeship if he was successful.
Liam Hawkes
Stuart, Liam’s supervisor, was really
impressed with Liam’s punctuality,
attitude and the general enthusiasm that he showed for the job.
Therefore, when he completed his work placement, the company
were very happy to offer Liam a Woodmachining Apprenticeship.
Liam is now progressing well within his Apprenticeship and
working towards his NVQ Level 2.
Study Programme Work Experience Officer - Hayley Topselvi
page 14 | Spring 2014 | training times
Alice started on the Study Programme in
August 2013 after not engaging in any
learning for nearly 2 years. Nervous to begin
with, Alice lacked confidence but knew that
she had enjoyed catering in the past and
wanted to try and find something in this
area. Alice surprised herself during her initial
assessment after not gaining any GCSEs in
Maths or English, she achieved entry 3 in
numeracy and performed especially well in
Alice Harrison
her literacy by gaining level 1, only 2 marks
off the top. Alice immediately came across
as a hardworking, polite and kind young person and received positive
feedback from all tutors and keyworkers. Working closely with the
Skills for Life Team, Alice has taken her Level 1 Functional Maths and
Level 2 Functional English tests and is currently awaiting the results.
Alice has been working at The Green Room Cafe and Bakery in
Oldham since 20th November 2013. The Green Room is a well
established eatery in the town centre that freshly prepares all food
daily, both in the cafe and the bakery. Initially working 3 days a
week for 4 weeks, Alice has now been asked to extend her stay
at The Green Room by her manager, Ross, as he has been so
impressed with her attitude and ability in the business. Attendance
and punctuality has been 100% so far which was also a big factor in
Alice’s work placement being extended.
Alice has been through all of the health and safety aspects of working
in food preparation and has commented on how much the catering
sessions at NLTG have helped with this. She has spent much of her
time in the kitchen making and preparing food and Ross has been
impressed with how pro-active she has been and how quickly she
has picked up her skills. Even in the relatively short amount of time
that Alice has been at The Green Room you can see her confidence
has grown and grown. This has been observed by the other
members of the staff team who have all said what a pleasant and
hard-working young lady Alice is. Due to this, Alice has been offered
a small amount of paid hours with the promise of an Apprenticeship if
a position becomes available.
Alice is still at NLTG and will be starting her Introduction to the
Hospitality Industry vocational course soon and is still hoping to
gain her level 2 in Functional Maths. Alice is determined to succeed
and has also applied for an NLTG Apprenticeship in catering, she is
currently awaiting interview.
Study Programme Keyworker – Anthony Potts
Kayleigh Harrison
“My placement at Edmondson’s Electrical is going very good.
I am genuinely enjoying everything I am doing and everyone
around me is really friendly and supportive, always telling me how
well I am doing, which is a big boost to my confidence.
On a daily basis, I usually file paperwork in alphabetical order and
numerical order. I file different documents which go in different
places and I know exactly where everything correctly goes. I also
open the mail and sort the invoices with the correct purchase
order and do everything which is needed to make sure they are
ready to be passed. Usually on one day of the week I will put the
outgoing mail into envelopes and post them out. I have learnt lots
of different things I didn’t know how to use before such as a fax
machine.
I am working towards building my confidence up to do more
things within the company such as taking and making calls to
customers.
Overall I am really enjoying my placement and I look forward to
starting my Apprenticeship next year.”
Preston Study Programme Learner
Skills for Life Case Studies
Mohammed Ali -
Lancashire County Council
I started at NLTG with a positive attitude to progress
in my Functional Skills in English and Maths. I was
placed onto the Study Programme then went on to an
Apprenticeship through NLTG.
Study Programme helped me to learn a lot of new things that I
didn’t know, such as health and safety in work placement; first aid
and employability skills. We also did a lot of sport and had a great
deal of fun. Study Programme students do a lot of charity work,
raising money, baking and making things.
With Functional Skills, I was confident with my English but I knew
that in order to be able to do my Apprenticeship, I would need
some maths support as maths has never been a subject that I
wanted to do. NLTG have supported me with my maths with extra
1-1 tuition sessions with my tutor, this has been a great help to
me as I have now learnt the skills I will need for my maths exams.
I also achieved my Functional Skills Level 1 in English.
I had a mock interview with Mike Barnes from Future Horizons.
I progressed and was offered the option to do a placement with
Lancashire County Council. I then went onto work experience.
During my first week, I produced several items on the computer
for staff noticeboards and public areas. The managers were very
pleased that I had shown initiative and not waited to be asked to
do everything. I was then surprised and delighted to be offered
an Apprenticeship from Lancashire County Council. As part of
my work, I spend time in both a Children’s Centre and a Primary
School working with children and young adults. The work just
proves that life in Business Administration is far from boring! I am
currently enjoying working with my Training Officer, Caroline Fox,
to gain my NVQ. I am really pleased with the end result of this.
I would like to thank Caroline, Sue from Skills for Life and also my
keyworker Cath Swift and all members of the Study Programme
staff that helped me along my journey. NLTG is a great environment
to be in with supportive and welcoming staff that will take care of
you.
SfL Trainer - Sue Peet
“NLTG have supported me with my maths
with extra 1-1 tuition sessions with my
tutor...I have now learnt the skills I will
need for my maths exams.”
Stone Eden Nursery
The Skills for Life department is currently supporting
16 learners with maths at Stone Eden Nursery in
Carlisle. The nursery has gone from strength to
strength in recent years and is growing in terms of
both building size, children and apprentice numbers.
When SfL was asked for help with the high number of
apprentices, we were happy to get involved.
Maths is a subject that can often cause problems for the most
confident of people and, at first, many of the apprentices felt
that, although they were generally confident with the NVQ side of
the qualification, their maths skills were letting them down. They
talked about their concerns such as bad experiences at school,
never being sure of the differences between perimeter and area
and that there was a rhyme for mean and range but they couldn’t
quite remember what it was!
Their fears were soon allayed, however, when the support
began. The learners have been surprised that the sessions are
informal and not ‘like school’. Some learners have found that they
are remembering more than they had originally anticipated - ‘I
struggled a lot with maths at school so I was a bit worried about
starting, but in doing the lessons with Gemma I have discovered I
knew more than I thought and the recaps really help me to get to
grips with the bits I’ve forgotten’.
The apprentices have also found that the small group situations
ensure a relaxed and friendly atmosphere where they are learning
alongside their colleagues, often who have the same queries and
concerns that they do – ‘I really didn’t enjoy maths at school but
working in a small group with the opportunity for 1-1 support if
needed helps me to concentrate and I do now enjoy it’.
Stone Eden’s assessors are also grateful for the support and,
already aware of the benefits of having an up to date maths
qualification, have signed themselves up for functional maths in an
effort to improve their own skills, to find new ways to teach their
learners and to experience maths from their learners’ points of
view. Also, in order to support the learners further, all were given
CGP books so that they could engage in clear and structured
independent learning and these books have been used to great
effect. It is a source of amusement for the apprentices that
the assessors also have their own books and are expected to
complete the same amount of independent learning that they are.
The learners have described the support that they have received
so far as ‘invaluable’ and are pleased with their progress as a
team. As one group put it, ‘The maths sessions have helped us
all and we all feel more confident in doing maths now.’
SfL Trainer - Gemma Wellings
page 15 | Spring 2014 | training times
NLTG recruit for Jake Berry MP
North Lancs Training Group have successfully recruited Jessica Huddleston, an
Apprentice Case Worker for Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry. Jessica is doing
an Intermediate Level 2 Apprenticeship in Business Administration with NLTG. Please
read these extracts from the Lancashire Telegraph and the office of Jake Berry.
Jake Berry MP
‘You’re hired!’
Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake
Berry has completed his search
for someone to join his team as an
apprentice caseworker.
Jake has offered 18 year old Jessica
Huddleston, a local resident from Darwen,
a 12 month Apprenticeship working
towards achieving a Intermediate Level 2
Apprenticeship in Business Administration.
Darwen teenager
welcomed as
apprentice
caseworker in
Westminster
Jessica with David Cameron at Westminster
Jessica said, “Since I found out that I was
successful in getting the Apprenticeship, I
have been so excited to start working for
Jake. My family are so proud and thrilled for
me too.”
Jake said, “The plan now is to encourage
even more local businesses to take on
apprentices like Jessica and make sure every
young person in Rossendale and Darwen has
the best possible start to their career. If you
are interested in getting involved, whether
by starting an apprentice or by taking on an
apprentice for your business, please get in
touch.”
Extract from the office of Jake Berry
page 16 | Spring 2014 | training times
Jake Berry’s ‘100’
campaign to get
youngsters into
work hits 200
mark
A campaign to create 100 new
Apprenticeships in East Lancashire
more than doubled its initial target.
Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry
announced his second ‘100 in 100’ campaign
had resulted in 203 young people finding work
in the area at a closing celebration event at
Darwen-based Crown Paints.
The event, launched in May at Rossendales in
Helmshore, was the second of its kind run by
Mr Berry, with 163 new Apprenticeships found
last time round.
Jessica has joined Jake’s team in the
constituency offices, with time each week
spent towards studying for her Intermediate
Level 2 Apprenticeship.
The Free Press and Jake are continuing to
work together on this year’s campaign to
recruit 100 new apprentices in 100 days
and more local businesses are signing up to
back the campaign. For more information on
Apprenticeships visit www.apprenticeships.
org.uk
Jake Berry MP 100 in 100
Rossendale and Darwen MP Jake Berry
welcomed his apprentice caseworker to
Westminster last week as part of her training.
Jessica Huddleston, 18, from Darwen beat
hundreds of other applicants to the position
earlier this year.
As well as the on-the-job training, Miss
Huddleston is also working with North
Lancs Training Group towards completing
an Intermediate Level 2 in Business
Administration.
She said, “I’m really enjoying working for Jake;
it’s a really interesting job. Spending a couple
of days working in Westminster was daunting
— it’s like Hogwarts! but Jake looked after
me.”
Extract from the Lancashire Telegraph
At the event on Friday night, the MP explained
why he had decided to launch the campaign.
He said, “Two years ago, just after the riots,
I spoke to the young people in Bacup and
asked them why they had gone out and
smashed the town up. They had no hope and
believed the best days of the country were
behind us. I don't believe that and that is what
spurred me on and wondering how we could
get people back into work here. We created
163 apprenticeships last year and that was
not down to me, it was down to businesses in
Darwen and Rossendale.”
Mr Berry said he had been somewhat
surprised by the success of this year’s
campaign. He said, “We talked about the 100
concept when starting up the campaign. After
doing so well last year, I had been doubtful
we would get over the 100 mark but we have
Jake Berry at the celebration at Crown Paints
gone past 200 Apprenticeships, which I think
we can all be really proud of.
Since launching the campaign, Mr Berry has
recruited his own apprentice. Eighteen-yearold case worker Jess Huddleston, of Burns
Walk, Darwen, has been working for the Tory
MP for three months. She said, “When I was
about to sit my last exam at Darwen Aldridge
Community Academy I decided to go down
the route of an Apprenticeship. After applying
for the job I had two interviews, one with the
people I was to work with and then one with
Mr Berry and I had to do a test. I was really
pleased when I got the job and since then no
day has been the same.” She continued...
“I would encourage anyone to be
an apprentice as it is a fantastic
opportunity. It has been more valuable
than any degree.”
Guest speaker Ilyas Munshi, commercial
director for Blackburn garage giant Euro
Garages, said, “Within our business we
have seen young people grab hold of the
Apprenticeship opportunity. It is all about
raising aspirations. We are creating the
management of the future. Apprentices are a
fantastic way to grow as a person.”
Mr Berry plans to run another
100 in 100 campaign next year.
Extract from the Lancashire Telegraph
page 17 | Spring 2014 | training times
Safety Matters
Company and director
fined for safety failings
Sawmill sentenced over
worker’s hand injury
A joinery firm and a company director have been fined
for multiple safety breaches that put employees at risk.
A sawmill has been fined for safety failings after a
teenage worker suffered serious injuries to his hand
when it was dragged into unguarded machinery.
The company and Director were prosecuted by the
Health and Safety Executive (HSE) after an inspection
earlier this year identified a number of serious issues.
The Magistrates’ Court heard that the company had:
• failed to test ventilation systems for extracting
potentially harmful wood dust
• failed to provide suitable respiratory protective
equipment (RPE), controls or any health
surveillance for employees working with hazardous
spray paints
• failed to control noise exposure
• failed to provide adequate information, training
and supervision to protect workers from hazards,
including inhaling chemicals such as isocyanate
during spraying processes.
Two improvement notices were served requiring action
to be taken to stop health and safety from being
compromised, and to protect workers undertaking
hazardous activities. However, a follow up inspection
in April revealed both were ignored. The court was told
that little had changed and that there were still serious
faults.
The company was fined a total of £24,000 and
ordered to pay £1,460 in costs after pleading guilty to
breaching Section 2(1) and Section 21 of the Health
and Safety at Work etc Act 1974.
The Director was fined £8,000 after pleading guilty of
breaching Section 37 of the same Act in his capacity
as a director.
After the hearing HSE said:
“Employers have a duty to protect their workers but
this company carried out high risk activities such as
paint spraying and work that exposed employees to
prolonged, high levels of noise, with disregard for their
health and safety.
The seriousness of these breaches was reflected in the
Improvement Notices issued which both the company
and the Director ignored. They failed to address the
fact that workers were placed at unnecessary risk
because of the inadequate RPE provisions and the
complete lack of health surveillance. They were being
exposed to potentially harmful sprays and noise and
yet the company had no means of monitoring whether
it was causing harm.”
page 18 | Spring 2014 | training times
The Magistrates’ Court was told that the employee
was clearing sawdust from a running re-saw machine
when his glove got caught in the rollers and his hand
was dragged into the running blade.
Although he was wearing two pairs of gloves, the
employee suffered severe lacerations to his left hand
and fingers and has needed further surgery. He no
longer works for the company.
An investigation by the Health and Safety Executive
(HSE) revealed the protective guards had been
removed from the machine’s power feed rollers. In
addition, all re-saws at the premises were being
routinely operated without similar guards. After the
incident they were replaced and their use enforced by
the company.
Safety Matters
Firm fined for guarding
failings after worker
struck by flying
splinters
A woodmachining company has been fined for safety
failings that left a worker needing extensive surgery.
The employee was struck by splinters of wood that
pierced his body as he operated a rip saw machine.
One splinter passed completely through his thigh,
narrowly missing major vessels and nerves. He spent
5 days in hospital for an emergency operation and 4
months later underwent more surgery after a further 3
pieces of wood were found to have lodged in front of
his pelvic bone.
The company was prosecuted today after an
investigation by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE)
found that more could and should have been done to
prevent wood splinters from exiting the machine.
HSE reported:
“The Employee is lucky he did not lose his hand in this
incident, which was wholly avoidable. He was failed by
the company’s inadequate assessment of risks, and
lack of effective measures to stop access to dangerous
moving parts of the equipment.
The court was told that the employee had previously
drawn the company’s attention to pieces of wood
being ejected from the machine through an apparent
gap in the guarding following which a deflector was
fitted. The HSE investigation found that this deflector
would not have stopped material being expelled and
would just have changed the potential trajectory of any
material.
Re-saws are equipped with power feed rollers so the
operator can feed timber into the saw whilst keeping
their hands clear – guards are necessary as these
rollers are equally likely to catch any loose material
worn by the operator and drag them into the blade.”
A firm has been fined for failing to hold statutory
insurance that enables employees to claim
compensation should they be injured at work.
Sunderland Magistrates’ Court heard that HSE
inspectors found the company did not hold any
Employer’s Liability Compulsory Insurance between
9 February and 13 December 2012. This meant the
firm, which provides and installs solar panels, was
not insured against liability for bodily injury or disease
sustained by their employees resulting from their work.
The company was fined £750 and ordered to pay
£850 in cost after pleading guilty to breaching Section
1(1) of the Employers’ Liability (Compulsory Insurance)
Act 1969.
The employee has suffered permanent scarring to his
right thigh, his buttocks and lower back and continues
to suffer constant pain.
The company was fined £3,000 and ordered to pay
costs of £7,736 after pleading guilty to breaching the
Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations
1998.
As a young and relatively inexperienced worker, it is
even more important that the company should have
ensured the necessary safeguards were in place. As
a result of their failings, this young man has suffered a
needless and traumatic injury at the beginning of his
working life.
Firm fined for failing to
hold insurance
The HSE investigation also found that the part of the
machinery which caused the injuries related to the
machinery’s ‘kickback’ protection which is designed to
stop the ejection of splinters. This kickback protection
failed, allowing splinters to be ejected from the
machine. HSE found that the kickback protection did
not meet safety standards and that had the machine
met the relevant safety standards the incident would
have been prevented. In addition, inspectors found that
the side guards of the blade had been designed so
that they could be lifted, potentially giving unguarded
access to the moving saw blade.
Revised guidance on
toxic wood
Read the article on businessdatabase.indicator.co.uk
The company was fined £24,000 after pleading guilty
to breaching Section 2 of the Health and Safety at
Work Act 1974.
page 19 | Spring 2014 | training times
Quadrant EPP UK LTD
THREE YEARS SITE SAFETY SUCCESS
Quadrant EPP UK Ltd, formerly Poly Hi-Solidur Ltd, and
British Picker Ltd have been members of NLTG for many
years and have changed from manufacturing parts for the
Textiles and Weaving Industries to producing a wide variety
of products and components for many industrial sectors
from Engineering Plastics.
Over the past few years, changes have occurred in
personnel and ownership of the company. They are now
part of the Quadrant Plastics Group, who are in turn, wholly
owned by the Mitsubishi Corporation.
Quadrant EPP UK Ltd have become most efficient and
successful within their specialist industrial sector and
complementing this is their approach and attitude to Health
and Safety. Their Management Team hold the view that
‘managing health and safety is easier if it’s given deserving
attention and controlled on an on-going basis.’
Their success in managing Health and Safety was
demonstrated earlier this year when it was noticed by their
European Directors that they, as an organisation within
the Quadrant Group, had achieved a milestone of 127
days of being free from accidents. This prompted a closer
examination by the Directors and, as a result of this, the
company was invited to deliver a presentation to other
members of the Quadrant Plastics Group from around the
world in respect of how they manage Health and Safety so
successfully at the Todmorden site.
So, on the 27th May, David Lively travelled to Belmont,
Pennsylvania to deliver the presentation. The event was well
attended with representatives travelling from the Far-East,
South America and different European countries. According
to David, the presentation was well received and since
then there has been a corporate move towards the same
philosophies developed at Todmorden.
Quadrant hold a firm belief that the working partnership
that has developed with NLTG over the years has greatly
assisted their progression towards developing a strong and
dynamic health, safety and welfare culture that involves all its
employees at the Todmorden site.
Their effectiveness in managing Health & Safety has been
achieved by:
• Establishing a Health and Safety Committee
• Raising Awareness
• Asking questions and questioning everything
• Having an ‘open’ approach and a ‘different set of eyes’
looking at the organisation
• Changing employee attitudes and beliefs
• Embarking upon a series of projects and establishing
safe systems of operation
In late November all UK employees were invited to attend a
celebratory event additional to those normally undertaken
during the year end festive season.
page 20 | Spring 2014 | training times
Marking three years accident free working, a special
lunch time meal consisting of typical Northern fayre of
pie and peas was provided to staff as a pat on the back
for everybody’s hard work and efforts in achieving this
significant accomplishment.
As Todmorden was the venue for a board meeting
during the anniversary week, Peter Van Damme took the
opportunity to say a few words to staff and to ceremoniously
cut a themed ‘safety cake’ produced especially for the event
which featured candy models of fire extinguisher, safety
signs and safety boots.
In a letter to UK employees, Joe Norwood, ASM/Site
Manager, thanked all staff for supporting Quadrants safety
values and he identified some key points contributing to the
sites successful safety performance.
Everyone accepting personal responsibility for being
constantly vigilant and aware of the potential hazards and
risks that can arise in our daily work.
Everyone recognising the need and taking the opportunity
to speak up to identify areas for improvement or conditions
giving any concerns. We have 37 employees and 37 safety
committee members.
Everybody understanding that Quadrant is serious about
accident prevention.”
As one of the repeat winners of the European Safety
Incentive Scheme Award, he reiterated the need for
everybody to maintain a continuing watchfulness for risks
and hazards, an active participation in safety training and a
continuing total commitment to safe working practices.
To emphasise the ‘safety first at all times’ message, all staff
received a safety gift bag for home use comprising a first aid
kit and smoke and CO2 detectors.
We send our best wishes to all of our work colleagues at
every site for success with the ongoing challenge to make
2014 an accident free year.
Heidi Pearce - Training Officer
Employee of
the Year 2013
Heidi is very passionate about her role and
responsibilities; through personal difficulties and upsets
within her family she continues to be positive, creative
and innovative and continues to work to the very high
standard expected from her and, just as importantly,
what she expects of herself.
She thrives off the responsibility that she has and the
additional responsibilities she is given; coordinating
(along with Jason) a very successful and continually
developing Vocational Centre of Excellence.
Support for her team members is also outstanding,
from catering for private functions for staff, giving up
her own time, working weekends and evenings (for
no financial gain) and exceeding expectation for the
countless celebration cakes she has now produced.
She is a very likeable and respected member of the
team. Heidi has also stood out in her support for
myself since I became her Team Leader - Tim Cutler
Heidi is always looking to improve and to do so
constantly comes up with ideas such as; raising
money for charity using her skills and expertise,
continued development of the sessions to engage
and inspire learners and development of systems and
procedures to improve individual roles and the area in
that they work.
Heidi is never satisfied with how things are and is
always looking to improve and be better. This is
evident in how she has developed NLTG apprentice
Ryan Yates personally and professionally through
his Intermediate and now Advanced Apprenticeship,
shown through the confidence and ability that he now
possesses.
Derian House Fund Raising
Last Christmas, Heidi Pearce, one of our
Hospitality Centre of Excellence tutors came
up with the enterprising idea of making
presentation style Christmas puddings and
chocolate snowmen. These were to be sold
to staff and the proceeds given to charity.
Heidi Pearce receiving her Employee of the Year award from Jim
Harkness - NLTG Managing Director
As a footnote, it should be added that Heidi was
awarded the NLTG Employee of the Year and also has
recently been awarded a City and Guilds Medal for
Excellence for Teaching and Learning – both awards
being well deserved. - Pam Mallabourn
They went down a storm with Heidi having to go into
overdrive to meet demand. As a result, a grand total of
£650 was raised.
After discussion, it was agreed that the money was to
be donated to Derian House Children’s Hospice and as
a result, Jill Kirkham – Community Fundraiser, visited
NLTG to receive the cheque on their behalf.
Derian House are a children’s hospice located in
Chorley who in 2014 need to raise £3million to
continue to fund their work. NLTG will continue to
support them and any ideas from staff regarding future
fundraising should go via your immediate manager
who will raise the matter at the management meeting.
Jill Kirkham (centre) receiving a cheque from Pam Mallabourn
(left) and Heidi Pearce (right) on behalf of NLTG.
page 21 | Spring 2014 | training times
Staff Announcements
We’ve
had a
baby
boom!
Staff Announcements
Fleet News
Lola-Mae Yeates, born on 2nd February
2013 weighing 7lb3oz
Kyla-Rose Nel Mallabourn, born on 28th
February 2013 weighing 7lb 12oz
Jack Robert Ross, born on 30th June
2013 weighing 7lb9oz
New Minibuses
2013 NLTG Fleet Facts
•
•
•
•
•
•
Fleet size - 180
Cars purchased - 64
Cars sold - 53
Company miles covered - 1,746,674
Cost in fuel - £308,076
Number of incident/accidents – 53 (49%
reduction since 2009)
Tip of the Month
Ethan James Armer, born on 15th August
2013 weighing 8lb 9oz
Reuben James Smalley, born on 24th
August 2013 weighing 9lb3oz
Alfie and Archie, born on 30th October
2013 weighing 5lb7oz and 5lb9oz
Holly Jaye Johnson, born on 23rd
November 2013 weighing 5lb7oz
Alexander James Little, born on 13th
December 2013 weighing 7lb13oz
Jude Arthur Jordan, born on 5th March
2014 weighing 6lb13oz
We are delighted to welcome
a new member of staff to our
Centre of Vocational Excellence.
Julie Van Der Schans started
with us at North Lancs Training
Group at the beginning of
February 2014.
Simon turns 50! Annual Dinner
2014
Julie will take on the role of CoVE
Support and Sewing Machinist for the upholstery section. She
will provide support with design projects, sewing tuition and
training as well as general support within the groups.
Initially, Julie trained to be a fashion designer whilst working
as a design assistant and gaining a BTEC fashion design
qualification with distinction. In her spare time she enjoys
interior design projects and bridal wear design. Later, she
worked in the garment industry for over 10 years, mainly in
fashion design and technical design roles.
“I have designed formal corporate wear, children’s wear
and later worked on producing garment specifications and
designs for Simon Jersey, uniform suppliers”.
Julie’s initial aim at NLTG is to incorporate design creativity
into the workshop environment and help to bring students’
projects to life through a variety of sewing techniques such
as applique and quilting. Julie is also looking forward to
completing her Assessor Award which will help both learners
and tutors within the group sessions. - Russell Large
IF IN DOUBT, DON’T
The easiest way to make any snap decision on
the road is to not make one. Whether or not you
are merging, turning, or deciding to make the next
light, remember nobody ever got in trouble by
waiting for the next opportunity. While this may not
make you feel like a stunt driver, it will ensure that
you don’t share the life expectancy of one either.
Congratulations
to Emily and
Sam who
completed their
Certificate in
Education in
October 2013.
Apprenticeships
are Further Education
A = FE
Did you know? The law now says that all young people will have to stay
on in education, training or employment with training until they are 17 years
old and from 2015 they will need to stay on until they are 18 years old. An
NLTG Apprenticeship is staying in education. Apprenticeships are designed
to help them learn on the job. They have a job, get paid from day one and
gain practical skills from the workplace.
Want more info on A=FE? Contact our Recruitment Team now on 01254 395355
Looking to take on an apprentice or develop your employees further?
Contact our Employer Engagement Team now on 01254 300779
www.nltg.co.uk