Training Specialist In-Comm joins CBM Family
The CBM has established a partnership with one of the UK’s most experienced training providers, to help member companies meet the skills challenges of the future.
In-Comm Training & Business Services Ltd has been devising and delivering programmes covering such key areas as technical development, engineering skills, apprenticeships, health and safety, continuous improvement, and quality accreditations for almost 34 years – a track record of which to be proud.
CBM operations director Geraldine Bolton says the partnership was signed after a detailed assessment of the benefits In-Comm could bring to members.
“They are based on the fringes of the Black Country, in Aldridge, but their customer base stretches from Glasgow to Chichester, and from Manchester and Liverpool to South Wales, so their geographic spread mirrors that of our membership,” she says.
“In-Comm also appealed to us as a strategic partner because of its tremendous facilities, including a purpose-built engineering academy and fork-lift driver training centre, and its wide array of training options.
“The courses now available to CBM members, which can be delivered at their premises or the Aldridge centre, include leadership and management, health and safety, quality assurance, technical development, continuous improvement programmes, information technology, and vocational qualifications.
“In-Comm already works with several very well-known CBM companies, including Cerro EMS, Charter Automotive, Gestamp, Metsec and William King, and their feedback about the quality of the training they have received was very positive.”
In-Comm’s business development director, Gareth Jones, believes CBM members will be particularly attracted to his organisation’s range of training options for engineering and manufacturing apprenticeships, legislative compliance and its comprehensive quality compliance programme.
“Finding and retaining skilled workers has never been easy, but now the economy is beginning to tick upward, we’re seeing more and more companies recruiting apprentices,” he says.
“We have around 5,500 sq ft of specialist training space at Aldridge, and we’ve invested heavily to make sure we have the very latest kit available. We spent around £235,000 during 2014 on improving our facilities, and by April 2015, we’ll have spent another £250,000.
“The purpose-built facility here can handle almost 60 year 1 Engineering students every year and almost 120 Years 2&3, but if CBM members want training to take place at their site, we’re happy to discuss the options with them. We have 30 full-time trainers on our books at the moment, and we’re looking to increase that number imminently.
“Just over 200 forklift drivers gained their qualifications at Aldridge in 2014, and all our training is fully accredited by the Road Transport Industry Training Board, which we find helps give our customers certainty about the calibre of the programmes we offer.
“I’m sure that quality accreditations will be another key area of interest, because whatever sector you work in, the OEMs and the Tier One suppliers are driving standards up throughout their supply chains, and it won’t be long before you won’t win the business, unless you are accredited.”
A special hot-line has also being set up by the In-Comm/ CBM partnership to offer information, advice and guidance to CBM members on a range of topics, including the latest funding initiatives and grant programmes.
Gareth says the company has also established a ‘resourcing’ division, which can help companies track down individuals with particular skill-sets. The number for the hotline is: 01922 749 594.
