County Training Employer engagement events bring success

Employer engagement events organised through a Shropshire training provider have proven to bring success to businesses based in the county.

Shropshire County Council’s County Training has now held four ‘Success through Skills’ events over the past year, for organisations to attend and find out how effective training and recruitment can result in a more skilled and motivated workforce.

Tammy Cole, Office Manager at Oncology Systems Ltd. relished the opportunity to attend one of the events, after making a phonecall to County Training, and is now reaping the rewards of employing a young and ambitious apprentice.

Oncology Systems Limited (OSL), located in Shrewsbury is the largest independent supplier of radiotherapy products in the UK & Ireland, supplying equipment to Oncology & Radiotherapy departments throughout the NHS and private sector.

Tammy, already had a good knowledge of the NVQ route, through training delivered to employees in her previous job, and recognised it as being a highly effective form of staff development. Hearing a first-hand account from Lyreco and the success County Training had brought to the organisation through excellent training provision, supported Tammy’s previous experiences, and she knew it was a service that could also be utilised at Oncology Systems Ltd.
Within two weeks of attending the event in Telford, Natasha Macdonald, from Shrewsbury was employed as a Level 2 Business Administration Apprentice.

Tammy comments: “Through County Training and the Success through Skills events, I have found an intelligent and enthusiastic individual, someone who can be provided with training specifically for the benefit of the business, and therefore a long-term investment for Oncology Systems Ltd.”

Natasha is now looking to progress onto the Advanced Apprenticeship Programme, having completed her Level 2, stating: “I initially chose the academic route, enduring a brief period at university, however found this wasn’t right for me. Through vocational training I am gaining real hands-on experience, and the skills and knowledge which will allow for constant career progression.”

Recruiting the right staff and then retaining them can sometimes be a challenge. It requires effort, hard work, commitment and planning, which is why employer events aiming to provide solutions to such problems are so valuable.

Councillor Barbara Craig, Cabinet member for community services, says, “The working relationship County Training have built with organisations such as Oncology Systems Ltd demonstrates the effectiveness of the Success through Skills events, in how they provide businesses with the scope to use training in developing more competent and dedicated employees.”

If you would like to find out more about how County Training can assist your business with training and recruitment needs, please contact Jill Barcroft on, 01743 255121 or email, jill.barcroft@shropshire.gov.uk.

Alternatively, if like Natasha you are looking to do an Apprenticeship and further your career prospects, please contact Ann Jones on 01743 255112 or email ann.jones@shropshire.gov.uk. Apprenticeships are available, fully funded for 16 – 24 years olds, but now also adults over the age of 24, providing you are already in work.

7 October 2008