PFTP growth assisted by CW Business Support programme
"We were particularly grateful when we were applying for the grant because we were guided through the process every step of the way."
A new purpose-built training centre for the automotive industry is already reaping benefits for a Warwickshire business.
Profit From Training Partnership (PFTP) has moved from two separate units into their new home in Slingsby Close at the Attleborough Fields Industrial Estate, Nuneaton, to bring all their services under one roof.
The business, which celebrated its 25th anniversary last year, provides training courses for people in the automotive sector. Their client base includes Michelin, Continental, Protyre Ltd, Rybrook and Inchcape dealerships as well as small and medium sized businesses locally and beyond.
Husband and wife owners, Alison and David Higginson contacted the Coventry and Warwickshire Local Enterprise Partnership Growth Hub for support and advice. The Growth Hub and Coventry City Council worked with them to apply for a £10,000 grant from the Coventry and Warwickshire Business Support Programme which is part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund.
The grant has helped towards buying £40,000 worth of MOT testing equipment, training room and office equipment, a training vehicle and a compressor.
Alison, a director at PFTP, said the business's previous base at the Warwickshire County Council-run Centenary Business Centre was excellent but they needed extra space to be able to expand their offering to include a wider range of mechanical courses, as well as the MOT tester training.
“We have not moved very far because we wanted to stay in this area since our customers know where we are, there is a good choice of hotels for our customers, and it has great links to the nearby motorway networks," said Alison.
“Previously, we had one ramp and one classroom and now we have two ramps and two training rooms with upstairs offices. As well as being a training centre we also have a live MOT bay so candidates attending our training courses are learning from people who are running a live MOT testing station.
“The move and the improvements have meant we are attracting more customers – we have even had two guys travelling from the Isle of Skye to do our Motorcycle MOT tester training!
“The Growth Hub has been really supportive because it took us over 12 months to sort out the new premises due to Covid. It was Gary from the Growth Hub who suggested that we become an MOT testing station alongside the training. Their support to smaller businesses is really important and we were particularly grateful when we were applying for the grant because we were guided through the process every step of the way.
"We were sorry to leave The Centenary Business Centre. The staff who run it are so helpful and friendly and there is such a great community feel there, which we enjoyed for 20 years. The support they provided has helped us to grow and move to our new home, the best decision we have ever made.”
Gary Thyeson, Account Manager at the CWLEP Growth Hub, said the amount of business which PFTP can now accommodate has increased following their move.
“PFTP has attracted well-known companies such as BMW and Mercedes to train with them, so having this new training centre of excellence will grow the company’s presence in Coventry and Warwickshire as well as further afield,” he said. “They are already attracting new clients and it will reduce their overheads and enable the business to operate more effectively under one roof. Here’s to the next 25 years!”