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KIRKLEES BUSINESS NEWS The business NEWSpaper for Kirklees
Apprentices help to spread the load A COMPANY providing loading bay systems for depots and warehouses is signing the praises of apprentices. Kirkburton-based Easilift Loading Systems has taken on four apprentices to support its growth – having achieved turnover of about £2m this year. Callum Daw, 17, of Lowerhouses; Luke Manning, 16, from South Crosland; Mohamed Ramzan, 18, from Birkby; and Joshua Burgess, 16, of Manchester are studying electrical courses. For the first year of their training, they will be based entirely in the classroom. Callum, Mohammed and Joshua are studying NVQ Level 3 at Kirkdale Industrial Training Services in Brighouse, while Luke is attending Leeds College of Building while he studies for an electrical engineering diploma. Easilift managing director Rob Fay said: “Apprentices are all the rage again – and not only because of Lord Sugar’s annual televised search for new business talent. “The Government has made an increase in apprenticeships a central
plank of its policy – from the creation of an extra 100,000 apprenticeships to its partnerships with leading British manufacturers such as Rolls-Royce to establish an apprentice academy. “The reasons for nurturing apprentices are obvious. It’s a cost-effective means of growing a business, bringing on talented youngsters without having to pay graduate prices. “It’s a positive gesture towards your community and the nation as a whole, showing that you’re willing to give somebody a start and a defined career path – a laudable goal, especially in these recessionary times. “Put those things together, and you’re helping to cement a loyal workforce who has been instilled with your values and keen to help the business progress.” Mr Fay said: “Having come through a four-year apprenticeship at the start of my own career, I fully appreciate the value of what an apprenticeship can offer to young people. “I also hope that my own career path provides some inspiration for our apprentices and demonstrates to them that a long term career path with
Bluefin Insurance Services which has offices at Cleckheaton, said instances of bullying had doubled in the last decade – due in part to the recession which has created growing pressure to meet targets resulting in strained relationships between managers and staff. Bluefin’s Peter Castle said stressful
Getting creative A NEW online portal has been launched to promote Huddersfield’s Creative and Media Studio School to local businesses. Get Creative in Kirklees – www.gcik.co.uk – was created following a series of “co-creation” consultation sessions with students at the Rawthorpe-based Studio School, who will run the site day-to-day.
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■ STARTING YOUNG: Managing director Rob Fay (left) and operations project manager David Ward (right) with apprentices (from left) Callum Daw, Luke Manning, Mohamed Ramzan and Joshua Burgess
promotion opportunities can be a reality.” Taking on apprentices is also a form of succession planning, said Mr Fay. “Long-term success in business demands fresh insight and innovation, especially in the hyper-competitive world we live in, with growing pressure
from China and other rapidly developing countries,” he said. “Yet, according to one recent report, Britain is heading the other way. The demographics of industry in general are becoming top heavy, with more people aged over 40 than there are under the age of 40.”
Stressed-out bosses ‘bullying their workers’ WORKPLACE bullying is on the increase as company managers come under growing pressure to meet their targets, it is claimed. And changes to employment law proposed by Business Secretary Vince Cable could provide cover for office bullies to operate more freely, it is feared.
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working conditions were no excuse for “iron-fist” management – warning that heavy-handed management could result in companies being taken to an employment tribunal. “Employers need to be aware that they could be liable for acts of harassment committed by individual staff members and required to pay com-
pensation to a victim,” he said. Business Secretary Vince Cable is considering reform of employment law, which could include “protected conversations” – allowing bosses to have frank talks with staff about under-performance without fearing that the conversation could later be used in evidence at a tribunal.
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Worth winning A DEVELOPER in Huddersfield has won an award for excellence. Worth Homes was national winner of the Premier Guarantee Excellence Awards 2011 for its Scotgate Fold development in Honley.
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