“The GM Business Growth Hub training was a wonderful opportunity to bring employees together from across the company and created camaraderie between different departments as they worked together on projects and assignments.” Dawn Lee, Finance Director, Stamford Products Ltd.

Stamford Product Ltd staff from across the company recently completed a range of training courses delivered through the GM Business Growth Hub. They are shown here receiving their certificates from Stephen Dubyl, Managing Director at Stamford Products Ltd, Dawn Lee, Finance Director at Stamford Products Ltd, and Mandy Clark, Skills Coach from GC Business Growth Hub. 

An exciting opportunity!  

SPL has been working with The Growth Company for several years, exploring ways to improve efficiencies across the site.  

When Mandy from GM BGH, approached SPL about the support available, we were excited to participate in something we knew would be so positive for the company and its employees.  

20 employees opted to take part in the face-to-face and online sessions, with the training delivered by various commissioned providers, with several more choosing to access the GM BGH portal which includes in excess of 2000 e-Learning resources. The portal gives open access so employees are able to undertake learning within the working hours as well as in their own time, if they wished.  

Courses followed  

By working with Mandy, each of the employees were guided to identify suitable training and learning, this included a range of courses of differing durations and topics to include:- 

• Lean Manufacturing
• Certificate in Principles of Team Leading
• IML Award in Leadership and Management
• Advanced Microsoft Applications
• MS Excel 2016
• Revit: Zero to Hero  

Positive outcomes  

Although it’s still early days, with staff just starting to apply their new knowledge and skills to their everyday roles, we have already noticed lots of positive results from the training.  

For example, two employees in the accounts department who are mentoring junior team members in order to develop the skills of managing a team in the future, have found that the knowledge gained from the Leadership and Management course has given them the tools and confidence to manage a team effectively.  

In addition, two apprentices who recently joined the company had little experience of using Excel or Word. But after completing the Advanced Microsoft Applications course, they are now much more confident in both.  

Employee feedback  

Feedback from everyone who attended the courses has been really favourable, with everyone agreeing they gained a lot and would recommend Skills for Growth to other people.  

“I found the course interesting and informative. It imparted a great deal of valuable knowledge with regard to improving the product quality and efficiencies of a company. I would thoroughly recommend the course and feel that all job functions would benefit from its content.” Lee Kan-Hai Course attended: Lean Manufacturing  

“I found the course very informative and enjoyed learning about the different leadership styles and how to motivate different personalities within the workplace. I feel that this course has given me the knowledge and confidence to assist me in leading a team in the future.” Abi Hudson Course attended: Principles of Team Leading 

“I found the course to be very informative, with an easy-to-follow format and flexible learning to work around you. I would recommend this course for anyone looking to move into a supervisory role.” Kerry Seel Course attended: Principles of Team Leading  

“This was an informative course that has enabled me to put the skills learnt into action in my current role. It offered flexible learning that can fit around other commitments and allows you to work at your own pace.” Sadie Beswick Course attended: Principles of Team Leading  

“I found the course very useful. I have been able to use what I have learnt in my day-to-day tasks in the office as well as applying it to the work I complete in college.” Aimee Whitehead Course attended: Level 3 Advanced Microsoft Applications  

Thank you 

We would like to say a huge thank you to all the staff who made the commitment to attending this training and to GM Business Growth Hub and especially to Mandy for organising everything so well. This was such as great initiative from The Greater Manchester Combined Authority, and we are proud to have been part of it. We are sure that both the company and our team will benefit hugely and look forward to seeing where our newly upskilled workers take us next! 

Mandy Clark, Skills Coach, Skills for Growth - SME Support  

“It has been a pleasure to work with Stamford Products Ltd, a company who have not only realised the importance and benefits of workforce training and development, but also in celebrating the success and achievements of their workforce. Stamford Products are a brilliant success story for us to showcase.”