Skills Support for the Workforce

Success stories

Read our success stories for Skills Support for the Workforce below.

Funded training set to transform customer experience

GREATER BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL | Through Skills Support for the Workforce, 30 employees benefited from funded training in Leadership & Management, using their new skills to review and optimise existing practices to boost customer service.

Upskilling workforce solves complex needs of customers

COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE | Taylor Hart Ltd provides ceiling and dry wall installation services. Retaining experienced staff, and recruiting new staff with specific skills, to meet increasingly complex demands from customers had been an ongoing challenge. Read on to find out how Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW) supported them to reduce increase productivity and upskill their people.

Funded training achieves academic acceptance and increases advertising revenue

SWINDON & WILTSHIRE | Rachael is the publisher of a medical journal and wanted to learn website development to effectively support the design and updating of her own website. This would help her achieve her goal of specific indexing criteria for scientific journals.

Training in new areas to enable growth within role

SWINDON & WILTSHIRE | Rita works as a domiciliary carer; while she had experience of working in the care industry, she had no formal qualifications in the safe handling of medicine or end-of-life care. Read how SSW supported her to achieve her aims of growing within her role through free training.

Learner with Leadership ambitions achieves promotion

LEICESTER and LEICESTERSHIRE │ Chloe worked within the Marketing department at Fishers Solicitors as a Marketing Officer. To achieve her career ambitions, her goal was to better understand the qualities of being a manager so she took the initiative to do a management and leadership training course.

Upskilling staff facing redundancy

NORTHANTS | The Skills Support for Redundancy programme has supported staff at URBN Outfitters with Warehousing & Storage and Team Leading (Principles) training to improve their employability prospects. 

Develop team and efficiency to support expansion

WEST OF ENGLAND | A priority of Second Step was to develop their team and efficiency through leadership training to support with the continuous expansion of its services. Read how SSW supported Second Step to achieve this.

Funded training to achieve career goals

DORSET | Soma did not have any kitchen experience or qualifications, other than a desire to keep his promise to his Grandmother to become the best chef. Read how SSW supported Soma to achieve his goal. 

Upskilling employees in marketing

DEVON | One of Morris Engineering’s priorities was growing their visibility through marketing. The business had only just started digital marketing activity and they needed to upskill staff so they could take on this additional responsibility.

Training to support a new recruit

GREATER BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL | The business was particularly keen to train a young new recruit in software development so they could develop and grow with the business. As a result of the training the employee has progressed onto an apprenticeship.

Creating a valued and empowered workforce

DEVON | As Mystery Shoppers Ltd specialises in helping businesses to improve the performance of their teams and service, it is necessary that their whole team demonstrates excellent customer service and are engaged at work.

Bridging the skills gaps through training

WEST OF ENGLAND | "We were able to develop programmes that were right and relevant for the business. We will continue to invest in training the team, which in turn will support the business objectives, in terms of having a valued workforce who are efficient, confident and competent in their roles.”

Increasing job opportunities through training

BLACK COUNTRY | Find out how Spears Worldwide Security accessed funded training through the Skills Support for the Workforce programme to increase job opportunities and get their business ready for the Commonwealth Games. 

Funded training to support career progression

BLACK COUNTRY | “I had always worked under management and never been in a position where I was required to manage others. I was aware of the characteristics and methods that I would like and expect from a manager but didn’t feel confident to lead others.”

Funded training to drive sales and marketing

DEVON | “As a result of the training, I have more responsibility for the designing of digital marketing tools, which are used to promote the Chamber events. Not only has the Chamber invested in my skills, but they have also made a cost saving by bringing this in-house.”

Supporting Debenhams staff through redundancy

SOMERSET | The Skills Support for Redundancy programme has supported staff at Debenhams Taunton to focus on their digital and IT skills and improve their employability prospects through a bespoke training package. 

Boosting staff morale through funded training

BLACK COUNTRY | Pickerings Hire required training to support their expanding business and increasing client base. Read how training through the Skills Support for the Workforce programme has boosted staff morale and enabled the business to become more competitive. 

Training to support progression onto apprenticeships

STOKE-ON-TRENT & STAFFORDSHIRE | Eden Pet Foods had continued to grow over the years and had plans of moving into new markets including the EU and Malaysia but required further development within key areas to continue this growth.

Improving productivity and efficiency

DEVON | Plymouth-based DDF Fire Limited was facing a number of challenges including increasing productivity, modernising working methods, and minimising the impact their work has on the environment. Enter Skills Support for the Workforce. 

Funded training to gain a formal HR qualification

SWINDON & WILTSHIRE | Helen had naturally fallen into the HR role since March 2020 and as she had no formal HR training, she wanted to gain more confidence in her advice and decisions. Read how Skills Support for the Workforce supported Helen.

Funded training to manage teams and business performance

SOMERSET | “The training has enabled me to evaluate my staff members better and motivate them in a way for the business to cope with the extreme times we have faced, managing to keep our high levels of production and quality up despite skeleton staff levels."

Reaping the multiple benefits of staff training

HERTFORDSHIRE | "I am always looking to gain that competitive edge and this training has supported us to improve our online business throughout COVID. The training increased staff satisfaction and gave the staff more confidence in their work and has increased productivity.”

Training to support progression onto an apprenticeship

BLACK COUNTRY | Skills Support for the Workforce is all about progression and an apprenticeship is one the routes learners can take following training. Find out how SSW supported Sarah to progress onto an apprenticeship in health & social care. 

Training to become an endorsed Community Organiser

STOKE-ON-TRENT & STAFFORDSHIRE | Cath, a community development support worker for All The Small Things, needed to gain a formal teaching qualification to work on a national program. Read how SSW enabled Cath to access the training to help achieve her goal.

Funded training to support emerging talent

D2N2 | Find out how Skills Support for the Workforce helped Nottinghamshire County Cricket Club to access funded leadership and management training for their employees. 

Upskilling staff to deliver a first-class service

D2N2 | Trident Security were unsure about the extent SSW training would benefit the business but after meeting with Pilot Training, the company were informed about qualifications which would enhance the business and help to secure more work.

Supporting employees facing redundancy

BLACK COUNTRY | Following a site closure, Hexstone needed help to support affected employees facing redundancy  to help them gain sustainable employment after leaving the company. 

Funded training to grow the business

BLACK COUNTRY | "A lot of the workers are put off by the idea of training as they assume it will be all classroom-based. ESS made it clear how the training would benefit their actual jobs. I couldn’t be happier with how our training with ESS has gone.”

Funded Leadership & Management training

SWINDON & WILTSHIRE | Rachel, who works for Pacific West Foods, acheived Level 2 & 3 Leadership & Management qualifications through the Skills Support for the Workforce programme to facilitate her professional and personal development.

Training to improve the company's online presence

SWINDON & WILTSHIRE | “The course was enlightening, I really enjoyed how interactive it was and with a range of ages, capabilities and experience we all had something unique to offer, so I never felt out of place."

Using funded training to fill skills gaps

STOKE-ON-TRENT & STAFFORDSHIRE | NJF Brickwork, a construction organisation based in Stafford, are already seeing the benefits of taking up funded training through Skills Support for the Workforce.

Supporting business growth through employee training

WORCESTERSHIRE | “The 2 courses have given me the confidence as a manager to ensure I’m doing things in the right way and as a business owner to ensure we are doing things to help us grow and expand as we wish."

Sales training to support long-term career goals

STOKE-ON-TRENT & STAFFORDSHIRE | Tailored Branding used funded sales training through the SSW programme to support one of their employees to upskill and access higher education.

Building leadership skills through training

GREATER BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL | Skills Support for the Workforce supported Catherine to access funded leadership and management training after a promotion to a more senior role.

Boosting staff morale through funded training

D2N2 | As a result of funded skills training through the Skills Support for the Workforce programme, Oakfield Construction Civil Engineering are seeing an increase in productivity and staff morale.  

Gaining a qualification to back up experience

HERTFORDSHIRE | “Being a woman in construction can be tough. I just wanted to be taken seriously and be recognised for the competent skilled worker that I am.” Read how Lorraine accessed funded training to gain a qualification after a career change.

Upskilling the workforce to gain a competitive edge

LEICESTER & LEICESTERSHIRE  | Skills Support for the Workforce supported Paul John Group to access funded training to upskill their workforce and become more competitive.

Empowering the workforce through funded training

STOKE-ON-TRENT & STAFFORDSHIRE  | “We want to continue to be an employer of choice and win future awards for our great work in this sector. Training and development helps to keep an empowered workforce and gain a competitive edge.”

Improving efficiency through fully-funded digital skills training

SWINDON & WILTSHIRE | HR Hislop Electrical Contractors Ltd accesssed digital skills training during the COVID-19 pandemic to upskill 4 members of staff to improve efficiency and marketing

Fully funded skills training to win more contracts

STOKE-ON-TRENT & STAFFORDSHIRE | Ratcliff Cleaning Contractors have used funded training to support 17 members of their team to achieve Level 2 Certificate in Cleaning & Support Services so the company could win more contracts.

Using training to inform social media strategy

WORCESTERSHIRE | Wanting to further increase Mainstay Group's marketing reach, namely its social media presence, Callum undertook a Level 2 Award in IT User Skills with ambition to increase the company’s presence online and implement working digital strategies to achieve this.

Streamlining processes & building confidence

STOKE-ON-TRENT & STAFFORDSHIRE | Following completion of the SSW funded skills training offer, Jalil now has a formal functional skills qualification, as well as improved vocational skills having completed non-regulated, bespoke training for his workplace needs. 

Progression company-wide following funded skills training.

BLACK COUNTRY | "SSW has allowed us to be another step ahead of our competitors and have an upper hand when we are bidding for jobs. It's a bonus for [our staff] in their career and I'm glad that we can offer it to them."

Increasing individual productivity has increased overall competitiveness

D2N2 | Barnes and West are responding to a requirement to remain competitive by increasing productivity levels through staff development.

Using funded skills training to succession plan

DEVON | A high performing Alarm Technician at South West Water is preparing for his future role as a Senior Alarm Technician with the support of SSW and a tailored, flexible training programme delivered by South Devon College. 

Future-proofing a career by upskilling now

DEVON | How one employee is upskilling in leadership and management techniques as she aspires to one day manage her own pre-school. 

Successfully changing careers following redundancy

SKILLS SUPPORT FOR REDUNDANCY | STOKE-ON-TRENT & STAFFS  |  After achieving an AET qualification, Glynis has changed career paths and entered into the education sector as she works towards a successful teaching career. 

Generating business by creating an empowered workforce

D2N2 | ATB Civil Engineering have been supported to upskill members of the workforce to enable professional growth and development, as well as win new business on flagship projects in the region. 

Maths and English - a stepping stone to further education

SOMERSET | Having undertaken her functional Maths and English qualifications through the SSW programme, Lucy is in a positoin to achieve a Level 3, Early Years Educator Diploma.

Collaborative working with the Staffs Skills Hub

STAFFORDSHIRE | How SSW is working in partnership with the Skills Hub to promote funded skills training as a priority across the region

Working with the DWP to support Muller employees

DERBY & DERBYSHIRE (D2N2) | The Skills Support for Redundancy programme has supported staff at a Muller site closure to focus on their employability skills and reaffirm the skill sets that they have through a bespoke training package. 

Training to improve efficiencies and motivate the workforce

WEST OF ENGLAND | Pipeline Products has specific 3 year growth goals which rely heavily on efficiency – having new and improved skills within the workforce is helping to ensure that goals are met.

Improved Client relationships following skills training

BLACK COUNTRY | Delivery of training for over 30 staff members was flexible around their working schedules so that upskilling the workforce did not negatively impact the business' work output. Omega has seen an immediate improvement in Client relatiosnhips following the training. 

Company 'secures' fully funded training to upskill workforce

GREATER BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL | Cava Security Services is a business established in February 2005, employing 30 staff, the company has grown significantly over the past 10 years. Managing Director, Richard Payton is committed to developing his team through investement in training. 

Fully funded training improves skills of office furniture installers

SOUTH EAST MIDLANDS | Upskilling fitting teams has helped this company to tender more competitively for new projects as they can further demonstrate their workforces’ skills, knowledge and attitude towards safety on site.

Easing the induction phase for New Starters through CPD

HERTFORDSHIRE | How one contractor is overcoming an increasing recruitment challenge as the pool of skilled people who are willing to work within the construction industry diminishes.

Boosting Productivity Through Customer Service Training

COVENTRY & WARWICKSHIRE | Front of house staff at a Carribean restaurant are using funded training to upskill themselves whilst boosting the business' level of productivity in the process

Meeting Client expectations by upskilling

GREATER CAMBRIDGE & PETERBOROUGH | With constantly evolving challenges, there is a requirement for this business to have a highly skilled workforce that is capable of adapting to ever-changing client demands.

Supporting growth ambitions through staff development

GREATER BIRMINGHAM & SOLIHULL | A security company is preparing for business growth due to the 2020 British Commonwealth Games by undertaking staff development through SSW

Improving employee confidence through Team Leadership training

STOKE & STAFFORDSHIRE | A social enterprise has upskilled a staff member in Team Leadership which has resulted in an improved team dynamic and increased employee confidence.

Funded training to retain the workforce

STOKE-ON-TRENT & STAFFORDSHIRE | "Having employees from a variety of backgrounds means we get the very best solutions to business issues to ensure we keep progressing. I would definitely like to attract more women into our front line service engineering roles and manufacturing roles."

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28th Nov 2022

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