Member Article

Northumberland Energy Business Recognised For Its Employment Opportunities

A Northumberland business has secured Investors in People for its commitment to providing work to the region’s most long term unemployed and hard to reach groups.

Saving Energy based in Ashington, Northumberland has been recognised for its dedication to making sure some of the region’s most long term unemployed and hard to reach groups are given employment opportunities alongside the training and development opportunities that will keep them in work.

The renewable energy company – which already has a successful business in the South East of the country – decided to establish its North East base not only for the market opportunities but, more importantly, out of solid determination to create jobs for local people.

MD of the business Garry Coulson explained his reason for relocating back to the region and establishing the North East arm of the business as a dogged determination to return to his roots and put something back into the local economy.

“Coming from South Northumberland I am acutely aware of the challenges local people face in not just securing employment but holding onto that into the long term. Having spent 8 years in the South East building a successful business I wanted to return to my north east roots and emulate that success here, creating a business that I was determined would support the north Northumberland economy.”

And Garry has done exactly that building – in little under a year – a business with a turnover in excess of 4 million and which now employs 28 staff, 15 of which were long term unemployed.

One of those is Ashington resident Carly Taylor who says without Saving Energy she would still be looking for work.

“Saving Energy has given me not only a job with long term security and prospects, but has replaced the confidence I lost whilst being long term unemployed. I had no experience in this type of work, but the company believed I could do it and gave me the opportunity to prove that. Not only that, but the business is now putting me through training courses that will not only improve my skills in the sector but will also mean that long term I have the skills and expertise to build a solid career.”

And it is for this very reason that the business and Garry have been awarded the Investor in People accolade with the company being recognised for its employment and training opportunities that improve the quality of life for local people.

These opportunities include education and learning programmes for young people and hard to reach groups including reformed offenders. The company also provides all employees – through its in house development resource centre – with the tools to encourage personal and career development with help and advice on working practices. And, not only that, but the company prides itself on employing at least 3 apprentices a year, all of who are trained to NVQ level 3 standard with voluntary placements also available to the local community and those looking to get a foot on the employment ladder.

“We are absolutely delighted with the recognition we’ve received through Investors in People for something which we haven’t just initiated for the accolade of awards, but because it’s inherently part of our DNA. We would say to anyone in the area, if you need an opportunity, please come and speak to us. We are passionate about making a difference and changing communities and lives for the better.”

Saving Energy is based in the Wansbeck Business Centre in Ashington and specialises in all aspects of renewable energy technology from solar photovoltaic installations to biomass heat projects.

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Scarab4 .