Petersen Stainless Rigging

“As a smaller company, one of our biggest barriers to workforce development is the cost of giving people time off work to study and learn. Now that problem is eliminated altogether.”

Gary Wales Company Secretary

Business sector:

Manufacturing

Employees:

5-49

Region:

North East

Company profile:

Petersen Stainless Rigging Ltd, based at Blaydon, Gateshead, is a specialist in manufacturing and developing stainless steel and rigging products for the marine industry and for architectural use.

The Challenge

With a growing commitment to workforce development, Petersen wanted to identify what basic skills its staff lacked, and try and address people’s needs. But training always meant expensive absences when staff attended courses. “As a smaller company, we feel the pinch of absences more than most,” says Company Secretary Gary Wales.

The Solution

Through Business Link, Petersen found it qualified to get help under the Employer Training Pilot, a scheme which has now developed into the new national Train to Gain service. The scheme could help analyse what training would best benefit the staff, and set up training through the Sunderland Engineering Training Association.

Support and funding gave Petersen not only free workplace training for staff, but also reimbursement for the cost of wages when they were away learning.

The Results

• Day-to-day finances aren’t affected by the training, so one of the biggest barriers to workforce development – the cost of absences – was removed.
• 16 employees (nearly half the workforce) have funding to see them through their NVQ Level 2 engineering production qualifications.
• The company is benefiting from improving skills levels which will aid productivity.
• Supporting Petersen’s ongoing training needs will help it plan for the future.