Support for Goodflex benefits employer, employees and the local economy

"The Escalator Fund and overall it has really helped in ways which will benefit us as an employer, our employees and the local economy."

A forward-thinking small business in Warwickshire is targeting further growth following a Skills Escalator grant from the UK Shared Prosperity Fund.

Goodflex Rubber, a silicone and rubber hose supplier in Alcester, has already grown from 32 employees to 45 since relocating from its original base in Honeybourne three years ago.

With plans for further expansion, diversification and increased exports on the agenda, the company applied for five members of staff to receive training through a grant from The Skills Escalator Fund.

Goodflex managing director Mark Dufty said: “We were made aware of the Skills Escalator Fund by Nina Bale from Coventry & Warwickshire Growth Hub – they are a huge help as our window into business support, keeping us informed about what is available. Nina referred us to Warwickshire Skills Hub and it all flowed from there. It’s been brilliant because our staff have received training tailored in most cases exactly to our business’ needs.

“We decided it was time for a new Enterprise Resource Planning system, so went for the very latest technology which was a massive capital investment but then we realised that to make the most of it we needed to put more training into our staff. The Skills Escalator funding enabled us to do that. It is a brilliant ERP system but the training was essential so that we can tweak it ourselves and cherry-pick exactly the data we need for each job especially to meet the requirements of large OEMs as well as SMEs.

“Other staff received supervisor, finance and first aid training through the Escalator Fund and overall it has really helped in ways which will benefit us as an employer, our employees and the local economy.

“In business, if you stand still, you tend to go backwards, so we need to keep driving the business forward and this has opened up exciting opportunities. We are keen to increase exports and to diversify into other areas including the rail industry.”

The Skills Escalator Fund, delivered by Warwickshire Skills Hub, is funded by UKSPF in partnership with the county’s district and borough councils, in the case of Goodflex Rubber, Stratford District Council.

Warwickshire Skills Hub's Future Skills Advisor, Louise Stolz, said: "It's been great working with Goodflex Rubber and see them utilise the Skills Escalator Fund to their advantage. They identified the training priorities for their business and used it to upskill five members of their staff, enabling their personal growth but also helping them to maximise the benefits to the business. This is exactly what the Skills Escalator Fund was designed for."

Councillor George Cowcher, Deputy Leader, Planning and Economic Development Portfolio Holder at Stratford-on-Avon District Council said: "This is a fantastic example of how the Skills Escalator programme is helping businesses in Stratford-on-Avon District develop,  By investing in their employees, Goodflex Rubber is not only strengthening their own business now but ensuring they are able to continue to develop in the future, contributing to growth and prosperity in our area."

* If you would like to know how Warwickshire Skills Hub can support your business with apprenticeships and upskilling, please email skillshub@warwickshire.gov.uk  and one of our Business Support Advisors will be in touch.’