Member Article

Training Association celebrates 1st birthday

A specialist body that helps West Midlands companies access training solutions is celebrating its 1st birthday in style by announcing a major influx of new members.

The In-Comm Group Training Association has seen demand for its services increase, as more and more firms are searching for ways to upskill staff and attract the right quality of apprentices.

10 businesses from across the region have joined the organisation in the last month, taking its total membership to 63, covering all geographic areas and a diverse collection of sectors.

Keith Haycock, Chairman, believes it’s a direct result of many companies being left confused by cuts in funding and a lack of information on what support they can access.

“We’re hearing all the time about the skills crisis that is affecting the economy, yet very few people are doing anything about it…other than bemoan the lack of support from Government.”

He continued: “We’ve decided to be more proactive by developing the Association so that it can provide a singe point where members can go to for the latest information and support on training, human resource and health and safety issues.

“It is also at the forefront of the latest developments when it comes to managing and delivering the Apprenticeship programme.”

Members, which range from micro businesses to multi-nationals, can gain priority access to grants/funding, support with apprentice recruitment and can also tap into a dedicated website forum for inter-trading and discussing the latest trends.

The Association also runs a helpline for employment and health and safety issues, with a 5% discount on all In-Comm Training Centre courses – this alone could be worth hundreds of pounds in savings every year.

Colin Mills, Secretary of the In-Comm Group Training Association, went on to add: “One of our key roles is to ensure our members are up to date with the latest legislation, training offers and funding opportunities.

“With this in mind, we put together a calendar of interactive events each year that reflect the most pressing businesses issues. For example, the next three sessions focus on R&D taxation relief, employment law and the latest changes in health and safety.”

Annual membership for the Association is open to companies of all sizes. Whilst the geographic core is in the West Midlands, the executive committee is happy to encourage firms from outside the region to join.

Firms that are already benefitting from being involved include Truflo Marine, Fellows Ltd and Cooke Brothers.

The latter has benefitted from business improvement techniques/lean management, apprenticeships, NEBOSH, Investors in People and health and safety training, not to mention support in accessing funding.

“In-Comm Group Training Association has massively supported our training plans with monthly reviews and one-to-one support. The overwhelming feedback from our employees is that the training is well delivered and exactly what they needed,” concluded Phillip Cooke, Managing Director at Cooke Brothers Ltd.

For further information on the In-Comm Group Training Association, please contact Gareth Jones on 01922 457686, visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow us at @incomm_training

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Russ Cockburn .