Upskilling within works wonders for SJG International

A family-run engineering business has improved productivity across its workforce following support from the Warwickshire County Council-backed Skills 4 Growth programme.

Coventry & Warwickshire Skills 4 Growth (CWS4G), part-funded by the European Social Fund (ESF) with further funding from Coventry City Council and Warwickshire County Council, delivers skills support to Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) in the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership area.

Alcester-based SJG International, with over 40 years’ experience of manufacturing foam conversions and rubber extrusions, has taken advantage of that support to tackle their skills gaps.

The family-run concern has a proud history and is also set for a prosperous future with second generation leaders Robert James and Lucy Simpson who are passionate about keeping the business moving forward to reach its potential.

Justin Conner, production manager at SJG, said: “We turned to Coventry & Warwickshire Chamber Training for support in identifying skills gaps and were able to access ESF funding through Skills 4 Growth with C&W Chamber Training to help support and improve team skills.

"We enrolled three team members on the ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership and Team Skills and have two more booked on future dates. Guided by Natalie Lane, our account manager, we were able to start making more solid plans for the future of our team and business.”

The ILM Level 2 Award in Leadership and Team Skills is designed for team-leaders and supervisors to develop management skills, enhance team performance and explore leadership styles. It offered the supervisors at SJG some common ground and a frame of reference as well as increased confidence in their own abilities.

The extensive training available from Skills 4 Growth supports individuals to gain accredited full qualifications at Level 2 and below and units of qualifications at Level 3 and above.

For each business an Organisational Training Needs Analysis is conducted to identify skills gaps which may be creating a barrier to growth. A Skills Training Package is then designed to meet those needs.

Warwickshire County Council head of economy & skills Dave Ayton-Hill is delighted that SJG and others have tapped into the guidance available from Skills 4 Growth.

"At a time when skills shortages affect many sectors, it is more important than ever that businesses encourage, nurture and fully exploit skills within their workforce," he said. "The county council is pleased to support the Skills 4 Growth programme as part of our wide-ranging package of support for businesses in tackling skills shortages.

"Upskilling existing employees benefits everybody as the individuals deliver greater value and productivity for the business and also enhance their own careers which helps morale."

The Skills 4 Growth programme is managed by Coventry City Council in partnership with the Coventry &Warwickshire LEP, Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub, Warwickshire County Council and other major stakeholders.

Fore more information about Skills 4 Growth please contact anne-marie.tranter@coventry.gov.uk, telephone 02477 719782.

For more details about Warwickshire County Council's range of skills support please visit here.