In-Comm Training & Business Services

Government & Industry Urged to Work Together to Ensure a Generation of Apprentices Isn't Lost

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 08/02/2021

Covid-19 is having a dramatic impact on the future of vocational learning according to the latest In-Comm Training Barometer, which revealed that 64% of companies had failed to invest in new apprentices over the last twelve months.

The survey, which was launched today to mark the first day of National Apprenticeship Week 2021, revealed a worrying picture of cuts to training budgets (51%) and more than half of firms (53%) shelving future plans to take on young workers as they adapt to the challenges presented by the virus.

Questioning 109 employers, the Barometer did highlight some positives, including nearly nine tenths of companies retaining their existing apprentices despite the crisis, whilst the Government’s furlough support has allowed 72% of management teams to continue to offer training to staff.

Bosses at In-Comm Training believe this underlines that there is still an appetite for learning on-the-job and that Government assistance can make a difference when it is directed in the right way.

“Something that has been spoken about a lot lately is the fact that a generation of school pupils could be left high and dry due to interruption with exams and the lack of opportunities out there,” explained Bekki Phillips, Chief Operating Officer of In-Comm Training, which delivers more than 750 apprentices every year.

“We can’t just write them off, that’s not fair and will be hugely detrimental to industry for decades to come, compounding the existing gap we have been trying to bridge.”

She continued: “The appetite to invest in the future workforce is still there, but companies are under so much financial pressure from the pandemic that they have to make some tough decisions and it appears that this is already having an impact on the number of apprentices being recruited.

“We are doing everything we can to ensure they have access to their chosen career pathway, but we really need Government to take note of this and look at how it could explore more targeted short-term financial support to help bridge the rest of the pandemic.

“The Kickstart scheme has been slow to take off and shouldn’t be seen as an alternative to Apprenticeships, whilst the recent white paper on Further Education highlights some good points, but they’re three to four years away.

“Employers require support now and in a way that takes some of the financial burden away, maybe through a simplified grant scheme or maybe even shared Apprenticeships where a number of companies could invest in the one individual.

“In more positive news, it appears that firms have been loyal to existing apprentices, with only 14% of respondents saying they’ve had to make cuts. We’ll monitor this carefully, as this could change when furlough comes to an end.”

For the first time ever, the In-Comm Training Barometer engaged with nearly 200 secondary school pupils to get their thoughts on future career aspirations.

The increasing popularity of Apprenticeships was still evident, with nearly four fifths saying they would consider vocational learning as a potential route to a job.

Learning whilst they’re earning is still overwhelmingly the biggest draw (59%), whilst 19% pointed to the benefits of on-the-job training and 9% the chance of gaining a degree.

The latter is an important finding and is reinforced by the fact that nearly half of the 194 respondents felt Apprenticeships were equal to a Degree – the kind of parity training providers and colleges have been striving for.

It also reflects the increasing importance of nationwide Institutes of Technology (IOTs), who have been set-up specifically to bridge this gap between Further/Higher Education and Universities.

“These results show the great strides our sector has made in promoting the benefits of Apprenticeships, so they’re no longer seen as the fallback option,” added Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training.

“This is excellent news on one hand, but with companies now starting to hold back on recruitment, we could quickly find ourselves with lots of candidates and very few jobs.

“We need to try to capture this appetite for vocational learning and find solutions to the short-term issues we are all facing. One solution could be looking at how the Apprenticeship Levy pot is spent as a lot of the big employers will still have been paying into it despite Covid-19…could this be redirected to support SMEs in their desire to take on apprentices or boost other upskilling opportunities?

“Missing out on a generation of talent is simply not an option, especially as these skills will be needed to drive the bounce back.”

Other findings from the survey include:

Covid-19 was cited as the main barrier to recruitment, followed by in-house capacity and being able to find the finance needed to take on and develop an apprentice
The most popular reason for investing in an apprentice is to develop future talent (63%), followed jointly by filling a skills gap and retaining existing skills in the business (both 12%)
The main barrier to training is releasing staff from core activities (48%), with finance and the ability to identify the right training the next big issues
When asked about selecting a training provider, top of the wish list is the ability to align training to individual company needs (56%), with the least important being location and Ofsted rating
Only 35% of young people would consider a career in engineering and manufacturing

The Training Barometer, which will be used to lobby Government and other influential trade bodies, is part of a series of activities planned by In-Comm Training to celebrate National Apprenticeship Week 2021.

Located across three academies in the Black Country and Shropshire, the company will also host a Virtual Open Day on 13th February, where potential learners can take a guided online tour of the facilities and technologies, not to mention being able to question current apprentices and experienced tutors.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter

200 apprenticeships up for grabs as In-Comm Training opens hotline for A-level and GCSE students

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 19/08/2022

Apprenticeships will play an increasing role in an integrated solution for solving the shrinking labour pool impacting employers across the UK, predicts the boss of a leading West Midlands training provider.

In-Comm Training, which operates three Technical Academies in Aldridge, Telford and Shrewsbury, has seen a massive surge in the number of companies investing in vocational learning and currently has 201 vacancies available - the most at any time in its 40-year history.

This means there are lots of ready-made career opportunities for students receiving their A-level and GCSE grades, but unfortunately the news is getting lost or a lack of informed career advice is resulting in young people taking the ‘perceived easier option’ and opting for a course that later blocks them from obtaining their desired apprenticeship.

In order to help reverse this trend, the company has launched a dedicated hotline (01922 457686, option 3) to guide young pupils/students and their families through the different choices and how vocational learning can now lead all the way to a degree without the £100,000 debt associated with going to university.

“I don’t think we’ve ever seen such an appetite to invest in apprenticeships in the West Midlands, with nearly 80 different companies, across 20 sectors, currently working with us to find their workforce of the future,” explained Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training.

“This is great news on one hand, as it means we have over 200 immediate vacancies across 20 different apprentice pathways, including in Product Design, Mechatronics, Electrotechnical, Toolmaking, Machining, Quality, Production, Engineering Technician, Health, Safety & Environmental, Business Admin and Logistics.

“Thanks to our unrivalled employer-led network, we have already filled 300+ positions, yet industry is desperate for more talent in order to grow sustainably.”

He continued: “Worryingly, we have started to see the pipeline of candidates dry up and we’re putting this down to young people looking to take the simple route after Covid-19 and a lack of informed career advice on the different options out there.

“What this means is that students are choosing to take up full-time classroom-based technical qualifications that can later block them from obtaining their desired apprenticeship due to complex funding rules, leaving them with some knowledge but no real experience or competency.

“In reality, hundreds of pupils/students are missing out on the chance to get world class technical training and hands-on work experience that guarantees jobs and rewarding careers. Our helpline will hopefully help give people the complete picture.”

Established in 1982, In-Comm Training is one of the UK’s leading training providers, supporting more than 250 companies and training thousands of individuals every year.

The business will staff its dedicated helpline with four experts during working hours, with enquiries out of this time being responded to via email or social media.

It is also continuing to build links on the ground with primary/secondary schools and agencies, organising STEM days and holding special Open Days at its Technical Academies.

There will be a big end to the year for the family-run firm, with its eleventh annual awards taking place in September, the official launch of Telford Technical Academy pending and the big unveil on a unique industry collaboration.

Gareth concluded: “Getting your results is a very exciting, but also a nervous time for young people and families.

“We want to try to take away some of their concerns and the confusion that exists around different career paths, providing unbiased advice and providing exposure to the opportunities available within engineering and manufacturing. This will help people make educated career choices.

“Gaining your A-levels is a great starting position for starting a higher-level apprenticeship and, with 201 places currently available, there’s no better time to consider vocational learning.”

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter

West Midlands’ engineering stars recongised for their commitment to learning

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 17/01/2014

The achievements of some of the best young apprentices and adult learners in the West Midlands were in the spotlight this week as the In-Comm Training Annual Awards came to a glittering finale.

More than 250 people packed into the Bescot Stadium in Walsall to recognise 16 rising stars of engineering and manufacturing that are helping local companies grow at home and abroad.

Taking the main plaudits on the night was Tyler Groves, who was named as The Peter Wood Outstanding Learner of the Year after impressing bosses at Birmingham-based Truflo Marine.

The Advanced Apprentice is an important part of the team, excelling in completing tasks and showing his initiative to offer solutions to shop floor issues.

He was joined on stage by Wednesbury-based Bradken UKs John Clark, who received the Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year for his desire to take on new processes and procedures to develop both himself and other workers.

In-Comm Training and Business Services Rebecca Phillips picked up the story:

We are committed to developing the next generation of workers and also helping existing engineers improve their skills so they can tackle new challenges and seek promotion.

These awards are designed to promote the achievements of individuals who are striving to be the best they can be and the importance of Apprenticeships in making this happen and giving companies the skills they need to compete.

She continued: Some of the awards are also for the employers, who, without them, none of this would be possible. They have to show a certain level of time and financial commitment to give their staff these opportunities.

2013 has definitely been the best yet, both in terms of the volume of entries and their outstanding quality.

Guests at the In-Comm Annual Awards were treated to a personal address from Skills Minister Matthew Hancock, whilst Councillor Mike Bird, leader of Walsall Council, presented the trophies to the winners.

These included Employer of the Year to B Mason and Sons and a special award from Darlaston Rotary Club in memory of Doug Bridgwood, a local engineer who died last year.

£3m Technical Academy opens to future-proof West Midlands manufacturing

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 23/03/2018

The West Midlands has received a major productivity boost today, with the launch of a new £3m Technical Academy that will help bridge the skills gap and get the region ready for the next industrial revolution.

In-Comm Training unveiled the 24,000 sq ft training space in Aldridge today, which has been a true employer-led collaboration with no fewer than 12 manufacturers contributing investment, expertise and input into its creation.

Located in Vigo Place in Aldridge, the state-of- the-art centre has been backed by £733,000 of Black Country LEP Growth Deal funding and is fitted out with world class CNC machine tools, automation, a robotics line, metrology, fluid power stations and a dedicated electrical and electronics section.

It will also house material testing, material handling and grinding capabilities, as well as a 16-seater Mastercam and CIMCO CAD/Cam studio to help students develop their design for manufacturing skills.

This is a transformational project for the region and will ensure SME manufacturers have the capabilities and skills to remain competitive, explained Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training.

The investment will create an additional 420 Trailblazer Apprenticeship places between now and 2022, whilst also providing 1250 advanced learning opportunities. And this isnt basic training; this is training that will explore automation, prototyping, R&D, operational excellence and real-time data analysis.

He continued: This facility will help SMEs gain access to application engineers and state-of- the-art technology, which will allow them to product develop and process map prior to installing manufacturing cells into their factories. Its the future of skills provision.

Over 200 people attended the official launch of the In-Comm Technical Academy, with delegates given a guided tour of the centre and the chance to speak to trainers, current apprentices and manufacturers already benefitting from bridging the competency gap.

They also heard how the vision started with an open forum involving local employers highlighting some of the major skills issues they faced and what technology/machinery they would like their staff to be trained on.

From this initial meeting and feedback, the plan was created and a host of technical partners embraced it, including ABB Robotics, Blum-Novotest, Engineering Technology Group, Hexagon Metrology, Houghton, Hyfore, IMI Precision Engineering, Mitsubishi EDM and Zwick Roell.

These firms have supplied the latest CNC Machines, robotics, pneumatics and electrical controls and metrology and, importantly, delivered them in a way that can be used for training both apprentices and existing skilled members of staff on new applications.

Gareth continued: This year, we are 40% up on the number of Apprenticeship starts against a national decline of 61%. That is a statistic that shows what happens when employers get really involved in developing the right skills and training provision so they are getting young people and staff that are not only fit for purpose, but also fit for the future.

This Technical Academy will take it to the next level and will ensure SMEs in the Black Country and the West Midlands have access to the workforce and the technology that will make them globally competitive.

There is a significant job to do to get more firms involved in Industry 3.0 and then we can start focusing on reaping the benefits of Industry 4.0. This facility is open to any company that wants to advance, test, and trial innovation, whatever their starting level.

Stewart Towe, Black Country LEP Chair, said: The Growth Deal is helping the Black Country LEP to make significant investment in, and change the landscape of, the whole Black Country. We are delighted to see this new build specialist training facility open to ensure there is continued hands-on skills development across the advanced manufacturing sector.

By providing the facilities to support sector specific skills development we are investing in our future workforce, who in turn will go on to contribute to the economic future of the Black Country.

In-Comm has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for more than 35 years.

The firm has a proven track record of developing apprentices, with more than 500 learners either completing or undertaking their learning at centres in Aldridge and Shrewsbury.

It is also playing a key role in the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT), a state-of- the-art training hub in Bridgnorth that is being led by Classic Motor Cars, Grainger & Worrall and Salop Design & Engineering.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

In-Comm set to help up skill 800 people across Birmingham in £12m funding programme

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 10/03/2022

A leading West Midlands training provider has been appointed as a key delivery partner to the £12m Supplier Skills Programme (SSP).

In-Comm Training will work on the Birmingham City Council-backed project to help upskill 800 individuals across Birmingham, Bromsgrove, Redditch, Solihull and Wyre Forest by offering access to specialist training that will help SMEs make the most of the post-pandemic bounce back and grow the local economy.

Funded by the European Social Fund (ESF), the initiative will provide grants for half the total cost of the training, starting with grants of £500 and increasing to a maximum of £18,000.

Up to 200 local firms can put employers through one of the 36 accredited courses, covering anything from quality, IOSH, toolmaking and leadership and management to mechatronics and robotics.

Training, which ranges from basic level right up to the equivalent of a degree, will be carried out at the employer’s site or at In-Comm Training’s state-of-the-art technical academy in the Black Country.

“The Supplier Skills Programme is a fantastic opportunity for companies to bridge skills gaps, build capacity in their workforce and futureproof talent for years to come,” explained Gareth Jones, Managing Director at In-Comm Training.

“Covid-19 has placed significant pressure on SMEs and this initiative helps ease some of the financial burden on them, especially as many of them look to identify the skills they require to grow again.”

He went on to add: “In-Comm has been allocated over £400,000 of dedicated funding and the beauty of SSP is its flexibility. The employer can access the level of training they need whether that’s at a basic starter course right through to more technically advanced ones.

“There is a special focus on priority sectors for the region, including advanced manufacturing, digital and creative, life and health sciences, professional services and low carbon and environmental technologies.”

In-Comm Training was selected by Birmingham City Council due to its track record for delivering support to more than 750 different companies every year.

The employer-led approach will boost engagement levels for SSP across five key areas, with eligible firms able to also maximise the host of different technology currently available at the technical academy in Aldridge.

This includes CNC machinery, welding, fluid control, metrology, additive manufacturing and outstanding design capabilities, not to mention the expertise of a team of 20 industry-leading trainers.

Mohammed Zahir, Head of Business Enterprise and Innovation at Birmingham City Council, said: “The beauty of SSP is its uniqueness. No other grant programme offers as much flexibility - it can support employees with basic skills training, right through to post graduate level qualifications. This means that employees at all levels of an organisation can benefit.”

Gareth Jones concluded: “There’s lots of demand and there’s lots of positivity in the West Midlands, we just need to make sure SMEs can use SSP to utilise the right training to help them overcome supply chain disruption and significant recruitment issues.

“And it can’t be easier for firms. Our experts will talk you through the options, asses your eligibility and then identify the right courses for your staff. Just come forward and talk to us.”

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter

The Training of the Shrew

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 14/07/2015

The Training of the Shrew

A new training academy aimed at launching the careers of engineering and manufacturing apprentices is being expanded from the Black Country into Shropshire.

In-Comm Training and Business Services has formed a partnership with Shrewsbury based Salop Design & Engineering to establish a training academy in Shropshire aimed at launching the careers of engineering and manufacturing apprentices.

Salop are converting part of their factory into a training centre that will cater for around 40 apprentices a year for local manufacturing businesses. It comes as part of a long run of investments in the Shropshire business, which has now spent more than £2 million on its plant in Brixton Way in the last three years.

The initiative will allow manufacturers to address the skills shortage and succession planning requirements as they seek to support other major investments in the county.

In-Comm's new Managing Director Gareth Jones said: "There is continued investment particularly from aerospace and automotive manufacturers in the region and whilst this is good news, there is a danger that it will have an impact on the supply chain if we can't offer the skills locally to support an innovative and sustainable industrial future."

Salop Design Director Chris Greenough added that the new centre will help meet a skills gap for engineers and manufacturers: As the Chairman of Made In The Midlands I speak to a lot of manufacturing groups, and everybody is saying the skills gap is what is stopping their business from growing. Were looking to buck the trend.

In-Comm will employ three or four trainers at the site once it is ready for launch in August. Apprentices from companies in the local area will spend three days a week in work, and two studying with on-the-job facilities at Salop Design. They already employs three apprentices, and has committed to employing two more as part of the academy.

Both companies are investing their futures. In-Comm are currently finishing an expansion of their site that will increase capacity for learners and their access to their industry standard equipment.

In-Comm are currently finishing an expansion of their Aldridge site that will increase capacity for learners and their access to their industry standard equipment. Last year they spent more than £235,000 on installing a new hydraulics and pneumatics section and a live components board that provides real-life scenarios for budding maintenance and sector specific engineers.

Peter Lauener the CEO of the Skills Funding Agency recently advocated In-Comm as one of three successful training providers in his speech at a national conference based on their growth and positive impact linked to one the SFA's key policies of creating more apprentices.

Gareth concluded: This collaboration will create a skilled workforce in the county and truly extols the virtues of partnership working. We have strong links with Salop Design and at the moment they are sending their apprentices on a one hundred mile round trip as they couldnt access the training and support they needed in Shropshire. We cant wait to get started.

To find out you can train your workforce call 01922 457686 or visit www.in-comm.co.uk

In-Comm boss calls for more ‘IP’ to be commercialised in the UK

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 14/08/2018

The boss a leading technical academy is urging businesses and the Government to do more to ensure the UK fully commercialises the wealth of IP it creates.

Gareth Jones, joint Managing Director of In-Comm Training, believes the recent BAE Systems contract with Australia highlights a worrying trend where our design and value added engineering is exported overseas for other people to complete the manufacturing work, resulting in fewer jobs and the prospect of a competency gap developing.

He points to years of under investment and a mish-mash of industrial intentions from collective Governments creating a scenario where UK shipbuilding/aerospace capabilities are not fit for purpose and we have to offshore the main manufacturing processes.

“On the surface, we should all be rejoicing in the news of British defence giant BAE Systems securing a multi-billion pound contract to build new warships for the Australian Government,” said Gareth, who helps deliver apprenticeships and skills training at In-Comm’s state-of-the-art facility in Aldridge.

“The perfect shot in the arm for potential life after Brexit it seems or is it? There is definitely good news in the fact that UK expertise has been chosen ahead of Spanish and Italian rivals and there will be some benefits financially to our economy.”

He continued: “However, look a little bit closer at the detail of the story and you realise that the majority of the manufacturing and the jobs will be gobbled up by the Australians – no doubt written into the contract to protect their own interests.

“What it does highlight is another example of how the UK and its treasure chest of Intellectual Property (IP) continues to be exported around the globe for others to take full advantage of.

“Yes, it’s great that our expertise is in demand, but wouldn’t it be better if that initial design, knowledge and technology is actually delivered here, creating jobs and blooding new engineers…that’s not even taking into consideration the indirect economic benefits?”

A lot of these thoughts were debated during the first In-Comm Training & Manufacturing Group event, held recently at the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology.

Nearly 100 people from 50 different companies attended to find out more about the aerospace sector and explore the latest technologies from its 10 technical partners, including Blum-Novotest, Ceratizit WNT, Engineering Technology Group, Guhring, Hexagon, HK3D and Hyfore Workholding.

Reaction to the BAE Systems news was on the whole positive, but the nagging doubt of a missed opportunity was prevalent, along with SMEs feeling even further detached from being able to supply into these big contracts.

“Undoubtedly, there is work to be done to unpick the barriers and give small to medium sized manufacturers the chance to be involved,” added Gareth.

“There was also a common desire for the Government’s current Industrial Strategy to be sustained and a concerted call for politicians to ignore ‘party loyalty’ to place their backing behind sectors that play to the UK’s greatest competitive strengths.

He concluded: “The message is simple. Cultivate and celebrate our Intellectual Property, but don’t forget about the industry and supply chain benefits that can be gleaned from making the most of the ‘IP’ in this country.”

For futher information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter

In-Comm Training stages Open Day for future engineers

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 05/02/2019

In-Comm Training is staging a special open day this weekend to showcase its facilities to parents and young people interested in signing up for a place on one of its apprenticeship courses.

The Open Day takes place on Saturday February 9 at the company’s head office at Vigo Place, Aldridge between 10am and 2pm.

Visitors will have the opportunity of touring the company’s multi-million-pound engineering academy where they will learn about the different apprentices on offer.

They will be able to chat to some of the tutors and current apprentices, as well as speak to some of the In-Comm recruitment team.

Visitors will also have the opportunity of trying out some of the state-of-the-art machinery for themselves, as well as the chance to register for one of the courses and start the application process.

Finding a way to leverage the best of industry and academia has helped In-Comm Training cement its position as one of the UK’s leading training providers.

The company, which supports more than 500 apprentices every year, was last year named the winner of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s Education and Partnership Award, which was sponsored by the University of Wolverhampton.

Judges were impressed by how the company had managed to create three state-of-the-art training facilities by leveraging the technology and expertise of more than 20 local employers.

In-Comm Training, which was recognised by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding, operates Technical Academies at Aldridge and, under the banner of The Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT), at Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury.

In addition to supporting apprenticeships, the company also works with 450 employers on a host of upskilling courses and consultancy support in continuous improvement, leadership and management, health and safety and securing quality ccreditations.

Participation in Saturday’s event is free but people will need to book tickets, which they can by visiting: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/in-comm-training-open-day-event-tickets-54637842257

Here come the girls at the In-Comm Training Awards 2021

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 14/09/2021

Female learners stole the show at the In-Comm Training Annual Awards held on Friday, taking the two main titles and winning six of the nine honours.

Shiftec engineering apprentice Tia Till beat off competition from more than 100 young people and mature workers to win both Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies and the Outstanding Learner of the Year Awards, impressing judges with her manufacturing performance and desire to be the best in her field.

She was joined on stage by Libby Hastings of UK Architectural Antiques, who was successful in the Business Support and Most Improved Learner categories.

The 20-year-old has overcome anxiety and low confidence to develop all the skills she needs to run the back office, a role she feels will make her mom proud.

Continuing the ‘Girl Power’ theme for the evening were Collins Aerospace’s Lucy Trow-Gladston (Leadership & Management) and Stormking’s Emma Devitt (Continuous Improvement), taking the plaudits for how they promote Apprenticeships at every opportunity and the positive difference they make on the shopfloor.

Bekki Phillips, Chief Operating Officer at In-Comm Training, commented: “We’ve been working hard to get more girls involved in engineering and manufacturing…well tonight we’ve started to see the initial results of this and the creation of some real stars of the future.

“It has been over two years since we last held our Awards, so it was great just to get everyone back in a room together to celebrate everything that is good about vocational learning. Our apprentices, our mentors, our employers and, importantly, the trainers who equip our finalists with the skills they need to move forward.”

She continued: “Covid-19 has been really tough for every sector and companies could have pulled back on funding apprenticeships or upskilling. That would have been the easy, but wrong choice and I’m delighted that so many firms have remained committed to training in a bid to bridge skills gaps and, in more recent times, to solve a well-documented labour shortage.

“We have responded by delivering digitally throughout the pandemic and, more recently, adopting a blended approach to training - all geared towards minimising the impact on learners. Investment has also continued with new equipment at Aldridge and the move of the MCMT to a new facility in Telford, just in time for the launch of the Marches element of the Black Country & Marches Institute of Technology in December.”

More than 400 people were present at the ICC in Birmingham to celebrate the achievements of nearly 50 finalists at the In-Comm Training Awards 2021.

Other winners included:

Elliott Geddes (Bedestone Ltd) – Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies AMTC/MCMT Academy
David Lunn (WH Tildesley) – Ambassador of the Year
Nant Group – Small Employer of the Year
Collins Aerospace – Large Employer of the Year

The evening also saw the life of Geoff Jones, the former Chairman of In-Comm Training, celebrated in front of his family, friends and former work colleagues.

‘Big Un’, as he was affectionately known, played a key role in the growth of the business after he and lifelong friend Colin Mills bought it in 1997.

Under their stewardship, the company has developed into one of the UK’s leading independent training providers, supporting more 750 apprentices and delivering 2000 courses every year.

Gareth Jones, Managing Director In-Comm Training, was delighted with how the celebrations went: “Dad loved these awards; the fact we all got together to promote and recognise vocational learning, sharing stories of how young people have made a difference or how older workers had retrained to learn a new skill. The conversations, the banter, the laughs, he loved it all.

“That’s why we thought what better way to remember Dad than with 400 other people, who share his passion for Apprenticeships, training and, importantly, manufacturing.

“It is quite fitting that this has been our biggest ever Awards evening and I feel that events like this should act as a real call to arms, showcasing the strength and brilliance of our industry and our apprenticeships, whilst giving people the chance to see what a career in our amazing sector looks like.”

The In-Comm Training Awards were made possible by headline sponsor the Engineering Technology Group (ETG) and other sponsors, including Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Black Country & Marches Institute of Technology, Collins Aerospace, Crowe, EAL, In-Comm Training & Manufacturing Group, Made in the Midlands and MyWorkwear.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter

Caption: (l-r) Oliver Herrmann (Collins Aerospace), David Lunn (WH Tildesley), Elliott Geddes (Bedestone), Libby Hastings (UK Architectural Antiques), Tia Till (Shiftec), Lucy Trow-Gladston (Collins Aerospace) & Richard Deakin (Nant Group).

Manufacturers split on the benefits of the Apprenticeship Levy according to new report

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 07/03/2018

The success of the Apprenticeship Levy is splitting manufacturing opinion according to a new survey out today.

The In-Comm Training Barometer, which is designed to take the temperature of UK industrys appetite for training, revealed that just 55% of manufacturers believe it is working.

Of the 71 respondents, just over a fifth said they had taken on apprentices as a result of the Levy a small number, but still an increase in the face of an annual decline in the number of Apprenticeship starts over the last twelve months.

These results are due to be presented to Anne Milton, Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships, later during a special delegation to Westminster involving 50 employers and apprentices.

There has been a lot of debate around the success or failure of the Apprenticeship Levy and these results show the jury is still very much out, explained Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training.

Companies are tapping into it and we have seen a number of them use it to increase or start using apprentices, which, compared to the national reduction in starts, has to be a good thing. Encouragingly, 89% also said they would employ apprentices in the near future.

He continued: Its clear from the anecdotal information we received through the report that a lot of Managing Directors and Training Managers believe there needs to be better communication, more transparency and an ability to use the Levy to boost other forms of training too.

A good number even indicated they wouldnt mind going back to the old days of the Engineering Industry Training Board, where every firm paid a Levy, but could spend the money on all forms of training, not just apprenticeships.

The In-Comm Training Barometer asked manufacturers about the new Trailblazer Standards, with two thirds saying they didnt understand them and 87% of those respondents citing content as the main stumbling block.

When it comes to appetite for different types of Apprenticeships, only 32% of companies are prepared to let their apprentices stay off-site for 18 months to complete their full-time Apprenticeships.

It is vital that a tri-party collaboration happens here and everyone plays their partindustry to allow individuals the time to learn, providers to deliver industry-led content at high levels with no short cuts and Government with funded initiatives to help industry upskill and become more productive, continued Gareth.

Results from the Barometer also showed that companies, especially SMEs, arent preparing their workforce for the next industrial revolution, with just 45% of respondents saying they are futureproofing their skills for Industry 4.0.

He concluded: If we are ever going to solve the productivity gap we need Government to help engage these companies, make sure there is support out there to understand the opportunity and then ensure they are not left behind in the global race to become quicker, smarter and more efficient.

In-Comm, which has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted, has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for more than 35 years.

The firm operates three training academies in Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury (both under the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology banner) and at its original site in Aldridge, giving it the opportunity to support in excess of 1000 learners every year with apprenticeships, bite size courses and upskilling opportunities.

The Training Barometer was completed by small, medium and large manufacturers, supplying 12 different engineering sectors.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

West Midlands mayor pledges renewed support for apprentices after visit to Made in the Midlands Members, In-Comm Training

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 06/11/2019

Trying to find a way to support companies to continue investing in apprentices was on the agenda last week when the Mayor of the West Midlands visited a leading training provider.

Andy Street toured In-Comm Training as part of a Black Country Chamber and Made in the Midlands-backed visit and was given an insight into the current climate of uncertainty that is creating a downturn in the number of firms looking to grow their own staff.

He met with bosses, employers, and apprentices in a bid to get to the bottom of the issue and understand what the Government needs to do in order to support young people who are looking for a career in engineering and manufacturing.

Bekki Phillips, Managing Director of In-Comm Training, pointed out the current decline in the automotive sector as a key driver, with a number of apprentices being let go halfway through their courses by companies struggling to cope with reduced volumes.

“Our approach is very much employer-led in that we design the courses and support the young people to ensure they have the skills they need to have an immediate impact when they start to work with a company,” explained Bekki.

“That’s fine and we’ve enjoyed a good deal of success with lots of businesses investing in skills over the last three years. However, the uncertainty of Brexit and falling sales in automotive, has resulted in a number of firms letting their apprentices go before they have completed their course as they need to keep their experienced staff.”

She continued: “Working in partnership with the Government, we need to find a way where we can keep these young people on and completing their courses so that industry has the talent pool it needs to compete – both in uncertain times and when they need to grow.

“This could be financial support by using unspent Levy money to cover some of the costs of employing an apprentice.”

Andy Street, who was joined on the visit by Wendy Moreton MP, said: “Every young person in the West Midlands should have access to an apprenticeship and I am delighted that, thanks to the West Midlands Combined Authority, this dream is becoming a reality.

“A clear example of our plan being put into action is our pioneering apprenticeship levy fund, which is helping to fund hundreds of apprentices that would not have otherwise existed. Our levy allows major employers, who have unspent apprenticeship money, to place the cash in a pot for smaller businesses to access and use to fund apprentices.

“Major employers, such as HSBC, Lloyds and BT, have already signed up and are contributing significant sums, benefitting a whole range of smaller businesses right across the region.

He added: “However, Bekki Phillips and the team at In-Comm Training raised some very interesting points. It is all well and good us creating the places, but we also need to make sure that these young people are supported throughout their journey and see their apprenticeship through to the end.

“With that in mind the WMCA’s skills team and I will work closely with In-Comm and other training providers, employers, and of course Government, to make sure support to apprentices and their employers is improved.”

In-Comm Training, which is rated ‘outstanding’ by Ofsted, operates three state-of-the-art academies in Aldridge and, under the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) banner, at Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury.

Across the three sites, it trains more than 500 apprentices every year on 40 different trailblazer standards, ranging from mechatronics and welding to machinists and heritage engineering.

Over £7m has been invested in the three sites to ensure that the training is delivered on the latest CNC, metrology, robotics, wire EDM and fluid power technology.

Bekki concluded: “It was great to meet Andy Street and hear how passionate he is about skills and ensuring the region has the talent it needs to be globally competitive.

“As one of the training providers selected to help the West Midlands Combined Authority deliver its new Levy fund, we believe we have a real opportunity to make a difference, but the approach will only work if training specialists, education, employers and Government are all working together."

In-Comm opens the door to success

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 30/03/2015

The achievements of some of the best young apprentices and adult learners in the West Midlands will be celebrated as an Aldridge based training organisation launch their annual gala awards ceremony.

The In-Comm Training and Business Services Awards are now established as one of the leading ceremonies in the region for recognising achievement. Their awards command widespread attention across the industrial community and through distinguished supporters and guests.

Now in their fourth year, the award winners will be announced on Friday June 5th 2015 at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton.

In-Comm Training and Business Services Rebecca Phillips enthused: We are committed to developing the next generation of workers and also helping existing engineers improve their skills so they can tackle new challenges and seek promotion.

These awards are designed to promote the achievements of individuals who are striving to be the best they can be and the importance of apprenticeships in making this happen and giving companies the skills they need to compete.

In-Comm has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for over 30 years. The firm has a proven track record of developing Engineering Apprentices through its range of specialist packages, starting with Bronze (delivered at the clients premises) and culminating with Platinum, which involves 5 days training at its workshop and machining centre.

It also provides support in management development, health and safety, quality assurances, investors in people, business improvement techniques, lean manufacturing and specific skills courses.

To find out how you can enter or support this years awards please contact Gareth Jones on 01922 457686 or visit www.in-comm.co.uk. You can also follow them on facebook and twitter at @incomm_training.

Pictured: A selection of last years award winners.

Seminar: Hot topics in Employment Law

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 28/01/2015

In-Comm Training are hosting a group seminar on the subject of Employment Law on Wednesday 4th March.

The essential seminar is suitable for MD's, HR Managers, and anyone else responsible for looking after employees rights and benefits. The session will cover the following areas:

- Parental Leave
- Holidays

Date: Wednesday 4th March 2015
Time: Start: 8:00am - 8:30am (Refreshments upon arrival)
Finish: 10:00am approximately

Venue:

Park Inn (Birmingham West M5 Junction 1)
Birmingham Road
West Bromwich
B70 6RS

A small charge applies for this seminar (£20)
To book your place, or for further information please contact In-Comm Training on Telephone: 0121 609 9988

July Mini-Budget: The devil will be in the detail says In-Comm Training

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 09/07/2020

In-Comm Training & Buisness Services Managing Director Bekki Phillips has responded to the statement made yesterday by the Chancellor that has a strong focus on apprenticeships.

“Any funding that goes directly to companies to encourage them to take on apprenticeships is welcome, but we need to see the full details to see what a difference this will make to businesses and their recruitment intentions.

“Firms are already receiving a £1000 grant to take on 16-18-year-old apprentices so we’re presuming the £2000 announced is on top of that or does it replace it? Likewise, can this be used in tandem with the Kickstart scheme, designed to get more young people back into work? If it can be, then this really is a gamechanger.

“With over 700 apprentices currently being trained at our three academies, we wanted to see specific support about protecting those currently studying so their jobs are safeguarded.

“The bonus for bringing a furloughed worker back could help in a small way, but I think we needed a bit more. We also wanted to see the Government look at funding a programme-led approach to apprenticeships, where we could train young people up to Level 2 and then find them an employer at the end – hopefully when the economy has picked back up again.”

In-Comm Training was featured on Heart FM’s news bulletins and live on LBC national radio talking about our views on Rishi Sunak’s proposals.

In-Comm launches ‘Covid-19 Secure’ service to help businesses get back to work

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 01/06/2020

Companies looking to return back to work safely can tap into a new service launched by In-Comm Training that will help them become ‘Covid-19 Secure’.

Health & Safety experts from the Aldridge-based training provider have created a new consultancy package that will walk firms through the different measures and policies they need to put in place to protect their staff and conform to Government guidelines.

The support will also help businesses with more than 50 employees, who must have a Covid Risk Assessment available for staff and visitors before they can open.

“We have significant experience of helping to train and advise our clients on Health and Safety, covering every industry imaginable and ensuring they are compliant with legislation and legal changes,” explained Chris Reeves, Operations Director at In-Comm Training.

“Covid-19 has turned the business world upside down and firms are having to make sure their premises are ready for the return to work and that staff, contractors and visitors will be safe on site. This presents numerous challenges and we’ve responded by putting two of our H&S experts through intensive training so they can guide companies through these difficult times.”

He continued: “The aim is to use our knowledge to ensure our customers meet all Health & Safety requirements and comply with current legislation with minimal effect on current workplace employees and productivity. The time taken to implement this will vary, depending on the size and requirements of each individual company.”

In-Comm will be launching the service next week and it will be available to firms of all sizes and those involved in engineering, manufacturing and professional services.The majority of the consultancy can be completed virtually, with the option in place to hold socially distanced site visits for more complex and intricate situations.

Some of the areas that can be advised on, include the installation of additional sanitising/cleaning requirements, the use of communal areas, correct PPE, one-way systems and how you can minimise risk when keeping two metres apart is not possible.

Chris concluded: “Safety is the main concern and giving firms peace of mind that they can return to work. Importantly though, they need to be able to do this with minimal impact to their operations and productivity, two objectives that are at the heart our consultancy approach.”

In-Comm Training is one of the UK’s leading training providers, supporting over 800 apprentices and delivering more than 2000 upskilling courses every year.

Its employer-led approach to bridging the skills gap has seen it engage with more than 250 companies across the country, including Aldi UK, Collins Aerospace, Doncasters and Gestamp Tallent.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

In-Comm Training reveals 130 apprenticeship vacancies as competition rises for this year’s talent

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 18/01/2022

One of the West Midlands leading training providers is heralding an Apprenticeship boom from employers as they strive to act quickly to find solutions to growing recruitment issues.

Gareth Jones, Managing Director at In-Comm Training, believes firms are facing a race to find the talent they need, with job vacancies at a record high and competition to attract staff tougher than ever.

His company has more than 130 current positions at its three technical academies in the Black Country and Shropshire for young people and mature learners looking to embark on a new career in roles ranging from engineering, manufacturing and continuous improvement to leadership & management and business administration.

There are immediate starts for budding technicians, machinists, operatives, welders and toolmakers, with new Apprenticeships (Levels 3-5) available for heritage engineers and continuous improvement and quality practitioners.

“Now is the time for employers to review their staffing requirement and look at how they are going to meet their skill needs, whether that is through apprenticeships or upskilling opportunities. Hesitancy could lead to major delays, vacancies need to go live in quarter one of this year,” explained Gareth.

“As we saw last year, waiting until May, June or July can have a major impact on being able to fill positions, with many young people (studying for GCSE/A-Levels) deciding now what their next steps will be.”

“We’ve got 90 plus companies, including Epson, Metsec Voestalpine, Hoshizaki and Filtermist, actively searching for 130 new starters, which is good news for young people looking to use vocational learning to get into the career of their choice. The roles are varied and cover more than 20 different sectors, offering something for everyone.”

He went on to add: “There’s never been a better time for potential apprentices to come forward, with exceptional high levels of choice with hundreds of world class organisations.

“The packages that are being offered are outstanding - wages, fast track career progression and learning journeys that are being supported all the way through to HNC and degree level.”

2022 will be a big year for Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ In-Comm Training, with its 40th birthday in April and several exciting new initiatives due to get underway.

Headlining these activities will be the official opening of its Telford Academy as part of the relocation from Bridgnorth, providing training for up to 150 apprentices and upskilling for nearly 1000 workers over the next twelve months.

This will be followed by a new strategic partnership with a continuous improvement specialist and the launch of a tooling project that aims to provide high level qualifications and a real-life toolroom within its Aldridge facility.

Gareth concluded: “Everything we do is employer-led through our strategic partnership model with industry and designed to respond to the skills and training requirements of firms on the ground. This allows us to provide Apprenticeships and courses that will futureproof workforces for years to come and the latest ventures have all been conceived to cope with specific demand from the region.”

In-Comm Training is launching its annual Training Barometer this week to help it get underneath the skin of the current skills issues facing businesses in the UK.The five-minute survey, which targets both employers and potential learners, is available here (link), with results due to be published during National Apprenticeship Week 2022 (Feb 7th to 13th).

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

In-Comm Training targets expansion plans after management team becomes a family affair

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 17/12/2020

One of the UK’s leading training providers has outlined plans for investment in the launch of a new press and tooling line and a number of exciting collaborations to help industry bounce back in 2021.

In-Comm Training is looking to support companies with upskilling requirements, access to new digital skills and over 60 trailblazer apprenticeships.

This includes, for the first time ever, access to a Level 6 Apprenticeship in toolmaking with the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) and the formation of strategic partnerships with the University of Wolverhampton, Institute of Technology and Gestamp.

The blueprint for the future was revealed just a few weeks after Gareth Jones returned to the business, after successfully leading the integration of HK Technologies into the Engineering Technology Group.

He will join his sister Bekki Phillips at the helm following the untimely passing of their father Geoff and will be responsible for operations, sales and marketing, growth strategies and product development, as well as the continued expansion of the Training & Manufacturing Group.

“Covid-19 and Brexit uncertainty are two major challenges for UK businesses and we have to face up to the reality that there could be record unemployment in 2021 and a significant skills drain if we’re not careful,” explained Gareth, who will take over the Managing Director role at In-Comm Training.

“We have a massive job to play in the recovery. Firstly, supporting our clients to safeguard and diversify their talent pool and, secondly, offering them unlimited access to our experts, facilities, technology, technical partners, upskilling programmes and expert consultancy.

He continued: “Our clients are telling us that they now want to invest, but they need the Government to give them some much-needed certainty and create a climate that will encourage spending on the latest technology.

In-Comm played a key role in the fight against Covid-19, pivoting overnight to provide virtual learning for 750 apprentices and thousands of employees that were upskilling whilst being furloughed.

It also launched The Skills Pledge, an initiative to raise the importance of vocational learning and protect apprentices who were at risk of redundancy.

This has been a huge success with 75 companies, including Brandauer, Glassworks Hounsell, Gotronic and Kiyokuni, signed-up and committed to recruiting/maintaining their apprentices, investing in new skills and donating time to raise the profile of training with young people and other employers.

Bekki Phillips, who becomes Chief Operating Officer as part of the new management team, continued:

“There are a number of long-term investment plans and collaborations due to start and we have also had confirmation of our Kickstart contract that will see over 40 employers offer work placements to young people.

“Strengthening the management team following Dad’s passing was vital – he left a fantastic legacy and we want to make him proud by building on that and taking it forward.”

Gareth concluded: “For any economy to be strong, you have to be innovative and you have to design and manufacture products - this is engrained in the UK through our industrial heritage and capabilities.

We're counting down to the In-Comm Awards - June 5th

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 26/05/2015

The annual In-Comm Training and Business Services Awards celebrate and reward young apprentices and adult learners and we've got a great evening planned as we celebrate their success.

This is your chance to join us on the night. Tickets are just £15 and available by calling Bekki on 01902 457686.

Our award winners will be announced on Friday June 5th 2015 at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton. The evening includes a buffet and post award dancing to tunes from a leading band.

We would also like to take this opportunity to thank our category sponsors - this includes our friends here at Made in the Midlands.

You can also get involved by using #icawards15

Manufacturers debate changing times for the automotive sector

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 19/12/2018

The changes facing the automotive industry was the main focus of discussion when In-Comm Training and Manufacturing Group (TMG) hosted its latest ‘Open House’ session.

James Grainger, Executive Director of Grainger & Worrall and Vice Chair of the Motorsport Industry Association (MIA), explored how the sector has evolved over the last thirty years in front of more than 50 industry delegates at the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT).

He outlined what companies in the supply chain would need to be aware of in the run-up to Brexit and how they can work closer together to make sure the UK stays at the forefront of new materials and powertrain solutions.

There were also sections on the new technology that will make speed to market - when prototyping - become increasingly important.

Mr Grainger (pictured), who has been working in the industry for 30 years, said: “The car makers are accelerating the race towards lower emissions and one of the key questions remains…is electrification the answer?

“We currently live in very turbulent times, with Brexit, Trump’s trade wars and a slowdown in the Chinese economy all generating uncertainty in the marketplace. However, behind all of this is a whole raft of new investments that the supply chain can take advantage of - if they’re prepared for it.”

In-Comm Training and Manufacturing Group is a consortium of like-minded businesses bound together by a common vision to improve skills and productivity in the UK.

At the heart of the 120-strong membership are eleven technical partners, including

Blum-Novotest, Ceratizit WNT, Engineering Technology Group, FBC Manby Bowdler, Guhring, Hexagon, HK3D, Hyfore Workholding, In-Comm Training and Moore Stephens.

They provide access to world-class equipment and engineering technologies, all designed to improve efficiencies on the shop floor, new product development and boost skills.

The Automotive ‘Open House’ was the second in a series of events that combine keynote presentations from sector experts with live demonstrations of some of the technologies the technical partners have to offer.

Cassie Grillo, Business Development Executive at In-Comm Training and Manufacturing Group, said: “In addition to the demos, we hosted two expert seminars on ‘Making Tax Digital’ and the new automotive quality award IATF 16949:2016.

“The sector is set for a year of opportunities and challenges and our role is to help support industry to make the most of its potential.”

Mr Grainger is an Executive Director and owner of Grainger and Worrall [GW], a Bridgnorth-headquartered engineering business specialising in high integrity casting for the motorsport, prestige vehicle, aerospace and defence industries.

Customers include the F1 teams, McLaren, Porsche, Aston Martin and, increasingly, GW plays an important role in the EV market with the supply of lightweight and high strength chassis components, battery trays, and transmission technologies.

The firm, which employs 700 people and boasts annual sales of $85m, currently exports 55% of its turnover, with particular focus on Europe, North America and China.

It is also one of the four partners - alongside In-Comm Training, Salop Design & Engineering and Classic Motor Cars Ltd - responsible for the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT).

For further information, please visit www.in-commt-tmg.co.uk

Manufacturers urged to take ‘Skills Pledge’ to protect pipeline of apprentices

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 01/06/2020

One of the UK’s leading training providers has launched a new campaign to ensure apprenticeships are protected as manufacturers seek to find ways of coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.

In-Comm Training, which operates three academies at Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, is asking firms in the West Midlands to sign-up to its ‘Skills Pledge’, which will see them commit to supporting apprentices, raising the profile of vocational learning and ‘upskilling’ their workforces.

‘Powering the Engine’ will last for over a year and will ensure industry does not sacrifice the investment and time it has channelled into developing the talent they are going to desperately need to help reignite the economy now that lockdown is starting to ease.

Seventeen companies have already taken one of the pledges, including Brandauer, CHH Conex, Glassworks Hounsell, Gotronic, Holbourne Industrial Plastics, Kiyokuni Europe, MET Recruitment, PP Control & Automation and Valen Fittings.

The three pledges for the ‘Powering the Engine’ campaign include:

Apprenticeship Ambassadors - the company and an apprentice will give up one hour of their time to participate in promoting the benefits of apprenticeships
Skills Support for the Workforce - a commitment to put some of its staff through upskilling courses over the next 12 months
Apprenticeship Recruitment – to recruit one or more apprentices every year

Companies taking part will receive a specific incentive depending on the pledge they take and these range from a free skills audit and report, to free Learning Mentor courses and 5% off the cost of upskilling courses (when they cost over £500).

For every firm that signs up, In-Comm has also committed to manufacturing five visors for the NHS or local care homes.

Bekki Phillips, Managing Director of In-Comm Training, explained: “There has been too much progress made in bridging the skills gap for us to just sit back and watch this happen, so we’ve decided to do something about it by launching the In-Comm Training Skills Pledge.

“Companies can sign-up for one, two or all three of the options and in return we offer a range of tangible incentives and our own commitment to lobby Government on their behalf, so that we can secure as much assistance as possible to support skills development in these difficult times.”

Q&A with In-Comm Training: Apprenticeship Levy is too prescriptive and not flexible enough, and more

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 06/11/2019

Back in 2018, In-Comm commissioned the Training Barometer report where they assess the current state of apprenticeships in the UK. Now, a year later, we sit down with Bekki Phillips, Managing Director of In-Comm Training to discuss with them the concerns they have around the Levy, and how the company believes the delivery of apprentices in the UK can be improved.

The full report, viewable here, provided six recommendations to the government, that being:

Produce more marketing in the mainstream media through strategic partners.
Lower the £3m Levy threshold to help with engagement.
Make the levy more flexible to allow it to be used in all forms of training.
Make providers engage more with the Trailblazer standard to increase understanding.
Provide more support for Micro-businesses and SMEs to allow apprentices to work 18-Months off the job.
Create a new approach to engage SMEs with adopting automation and Industry 4.0.

For those of you who may not know In-Comm, the company trains more than 450 apprentices every year at its academies in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, providing vocational training opportunities that match the specific needs of the employer. Currently, they offer 40 different apprenticeships in Advanced Engineering, Manufacturing, Leadership & Management, Business Support and Logistics.

So, from manufacturing firms’ views on the levy to lowering the amount, and the calls to government, what does In-Comm Training believe should change?

The training Barometer report states that 55% of manufacturing firms you work with feel that the apprenticeship levy is working. Yet that means 45%, don’t think it’s working, from your experience why does the idea of does it work seem so divisive?

Generally speaking, employers feel that the Levy is too prescriptive and not flexible enough to meet their organisation’s training needs. While apprenticeships are a fantastic way of growing our engineering skills base, for some firms it may not be the best possible route.

Recently, we’ve also had companies pointing out the complexity and rigidity of the Levy scheme, with many citing the 20% off-the-job training - when apprentices may have release days to a provider for example - as a major barrier for engagement with SMEs. These smaller companies simply can’t afford to have apprentices out of the business for that long.

The report states that 20% of firms questions have increased the number of apprentices as a direct result of the Apprenticeship Levy. Is there still space for this number to grow in the future?

At present, I don’t see any space for this growing, particularly with the uncertainty of Brexit influencing a lot of investment decisions. You just have to look at the annual Make UK/BDO Regional Manufacturing Outlook to see that manufacturing in the West Midlands is facing uncertainty due to the downturn in the automotive sector and the ongoing effects of Brexit.

The only thing I can see is that we, the industry, really need a bit of certainty to know where the economy is going. With that being said, it’s not all doom and gloom. We have just been named as one of the training providers selected to support the delivery of a new skills fund launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

This initiative will essentially use unspent Levy money from the bigger firms to remove the 5% fee that SMEs normally have to pay to take on an apprentice, making it easier for them to invest in young people.

Our employer-led approach to skills was one of the main reasons we have been chosen to support and this same approach sometimes shields us away from national sentiment and a general downturn in starts.

However, whilst our numbers remain above the national average, we have still seen the downturn in automotive cause a number of our apprentices to be let go halfway through their course. This is causing a lot of short-term pain for the young person and a much longer-term issue for the industry that will again be left trying to fish from a much-reduced talent pool.

We need support from Government to look at ways where we can stop this from happening, protecting the engineers of the future and ensuring they can complete their apprenticeship and start their career in engineering and manufacturing.

It is a plea we delivered directly to Andy Street during a recent visit to our Technical Academy and the West Midlands Mayor promised to seek ways to prevent this from happening in the future.

One of the key recommendations you made in the report was that if the government lowered the levy to £3m, then it would help companies with engagement. What was the key reasoning to set the Levy at that amount?

The old Levy system back in the 1970s involved companies paying a Levy across the board, which they would then claim back from the national pot based on the type and amount of training they completed. This could be Apprenticeships, management training or continued professional development.

I agree with the thoughts of the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) who are calling for the Apprenticeship Levy to be replaced with a broader training Levy. The advantage of this would be that it would allow employers to fund both apprenticeships and other forms of accredited training.

Furthermore, the CIPD has suggested that by making this proposal applicable to a headcount of 50 or more would result in doubling the amount raised by the Levy to £5 billion, which I see as a huge opportunity for business.

What I find interesting is that the CIPD research shows the design of the current Apprenticeship Levy is incentivising employers to use their funds in counterproductive ways, including:

22% of employers said that they use their Levy money on training, which would have happened regardless
15% say they use the scheme to accredit skills that staff already have
14% report that the Levy has directed funds away from other forms of more appropriate training.

Your report also stated that more support is required in order to allow SMEs the affordability of allowing apprentices to work 18-months off the job. What support would you like to see be given?

The issue is that SMEs need to gain productivity improvements and bottom-line benefits from their apprentices, with many smaller firms typically unable to carry the extra costs associated with an apprentice.

What I find interesting is that research undertaken by the Federation of Small Businesses has come up with three statistics that really reinforce the need for this support, that is:

Recruiting an apprentice was the biggest challenge for SMEs, with 42% struggling to do so.
29% of SMEs said that allocating management time to supervise apprentices was a barrier that they faced.
25% of respondents said that meeting the requirement for 20% of training to be done “off-the-job” was a challenge for them.

In-Comm has been rated, by Ofsted, as an ’Outstanding’ provider, and with over 35-years’ experience, the company would have been witness to a lot of change. With that being said, what would your main call to action be to the government?

When we purchase machinery, we are able to claim Capital Allowances in our Year End Accounts, thus reducing our Tax Liability. This, however, is not the case when a company invests in an Apprentice, which over a period of time, can end up costing the business even more than the equipment!

Therefore, we would encourage the government to introduce tax allowances for all businesses recruiting apprentices and investing in the engineers of the future.

If I had the opportunity to add another call to action, it would be based on how we’re seeing a number of our clients in the automotive supply chain being forced to make redundancies due to the downturn in business.

Apprentices are often the first to be cut as firms need to maintain their skilled staff so they can continue to deliver to their customers. In turn, this means our young people can’t complete their apprenticeships and through that, we’re struggling to find new employers for them to join, as the job roles are different to what they had started their course doing.

In my view, the government could offer support to firms to help them keep their apprentices, so they have the resource and long-terms skills in place for when the economy picks up.

GOLF DAY 2018

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 04/09/2018

We would like to invite you to join us at the Welcombe in Stratford upon Avon for our 2018 In-Comm Golf Day.

It tees off on Friday 7th September 2018.
10.00 arrival for registration, breakfast rolls, tea & coffee
11.00 for the first tee

Team and individual prizes will be awarded for overall scores, longest drive and nearest the pin at a two course meal and presentation after the day’s play. Dress code: Jacket and tie for dinner.

A contribution of £20.00 per player is required to secure your place which will go towards charity.

Please RSVP to Tracy Butler by 31st August 2018
Email: TracyB@in-comm.co.uk or Tel: 01922 457686.

Please present this invitation at the golf club entrance - The Welcombe, Warwick Road, Stratford upon Avon, CV37 0NR

Apprenticeship boost as MCMT announces 30 new positions

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 23/01/2018

More than 30 apprenticeship places are up for grabs at two of the regions leading manufacturing training hubs.

Marches Centre of Technology & Manufacturing (MCMT) and its partner In-Comm Training Academy Shrewsbury (ITAS) are looking to grow the industrial talent of the future by offering the latest trailblazer courses in welding, general engineering and machining.

Recruitment is taking place for a March start and many of the positions have jobs attached to them with employers keen to do more to bridge gaps by increasing the pipeline of skills available in Shropshire.

This is a fantastic opportunity for someone looking to get into engineering and manufacturing and have access to two sites that have over £5m of investment channelled into them, explained Amy Farley, Apprenticeship and Centre Co-ordinator at MCMT.

All of the courses are delivered by expert trainers from In-Comm Training and the apprentices will be learning on a host of state-of-the-art equipment, including robotics, CNC machines, metrology and Mig, Tig and Arc welding bays.

She went on to add: Going down the apprenticeship route can give you a clear pathway into industry and to securing a degree in exactly the same timescale as if you decided to go to University. The difference is that doing it this way you are likely to be £100,000 better off from not having any debt and earning whilst youre learning.

This next cohort could be ideal for individuals who have started a job and realised its not for them or someone who wants a career change into the exciting world of making things.

Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology is run by a consortium of Classic Motor Cars, Grainger & Worrall, In-Comm Training and Salop Design & Engineering.

The Bridgnorth site is housed in a 36,000 sq ft site facility on the Stanmore Industrial Estate and provides a high-tech environment for individuals to learn from engineering experts on the latest technology all geared towards giving them opportunities to apply their new found skills on real life manufacturing situations.

It is equipped with over £2m of state-of-the-art equipment, including dedicated fabrication, foundry, lathe, metrology, milling, robotics and vehicle trimming sections.

ITAS is co-located on the Salop Design & Engineering site and offers modern lathes, milling centres, surface grinders, welding bays and a 10-seat CAD training room.

Rhian Emery, Business Development Manager at MCMT, went on to add: Employers are really excited about the way we are approaching skills and training and actively want to get involved.

As part of our recruitment drive, we are going to be holding two open days for businesses and schools to come down and meet our apprentices and our trainers, look around our two facilities and find out more about the courses on offer.

She concluded: The programme of activities is still being finalised, but the first one will be at Bridgnorth on February 9th, followed by Shrewsbury on 15th. Its time for the region to step up and address the skills shortage.

Companies backing the next cohort with employment opportunities are Grainger & Worrall, Fabweld Steel Products and the Engineering Technology Group, who are recruiting 6 apprentices. The latter is offering paid-for accommodation at the University of Wolverhamptons Telford campus for young people that may not be local to Shropshire.

For further information, please visit www.mcmt.co.uk or email amyf@in-comm.co.uk /remery@mcmt.co.uk. Latest updates can be found @marchescentre on twitter.

In-Comm Training collaborates with HK Technologies to produce PPE for local NHS trust.

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 06/05/2020

As a result of a personal connection to the Coronavirus outbreak, In-Comm Training & Business Services has joined forces with fellow Made in the Midlands member, HK Technologies to produce reusable PPE for their local NHS trust.

With the United Kingdom now entering its 44th day of lockdown, no corner of British life has not been impacted by the Coronavirus outbreak. But for Stuart Dallaway, the Academies Manager at In-Comm training, the situation is particularly true with his working in their local A&E department.

Yet when his wife came home at the start of the lockdown discussing the low stock of the much needed PPE, Stuart looked for a practical solution. Coupled with the fact that In-Comm’s site has temporarily shut down due to the virus, and through the help of fellow MIM Member HK Technologies, and their 3D Printers, Stuart was able to use the time and space to start producing facemasks for his local NHS trust.

Talking about the entire project Stuart said, “We’ve got to make sure that even if we (In-comm) are shut down due to the Coronavirus, then we must do whatever we can do to go forward.

The collaboration with HK Technologies comes in the form of their Markforged 3D Printers, which have been providing Stuart with the ability, to so far print 40 face visors, a number that continues to grow every day.

“So far we’ve sent 20 face visors to our local NHS trust, and since then, we’ve had more people contacting us for them, and because of that, we’re going to continue printing them. Likewise, since the initial print, we’ve been able to print a further 20 face visors” said Stuart.

One such advantage that came with the collaboration is that the computer file needed to send to the printer was already available, meaning that as Stuart put it, “The process was quite quick. There was virtually no lead time in having to physically design the process.”

As a result, Stuart was able to start the process of printing in quick succession. “From pressing print to having a final product it takes around 7 hours and 15 minutes. Right now we can only print one-offs, but since you can put multiple printers on one line, we’re looking to get some more printers to print multiple visors at the same time” said Stuart.

Since the delivery of the first batch of 20 facemasks, Stuart was thanked by the matron at the hospital who thanked him for the delivery of the PPE, specifically on the quality. This comes as Stuart described to the Made in Group how the face visors were designed to be reused multiple times, over traditional PPE that must be disposed of after a single-use.

In-Comm host Parliamentary Candidate during National Apprenticeship Week

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 03/03/2015

With National Apprenticeship Week beginning on March 9th, a training provider in Aldridge is creating a legacy for companies across the region by giving young people the skills to become engineers for life.

In-Comm Training and Business Services take great pride in their record of achievement over the past 30 years and this has also been recognised by their peers.

At the end of last year two of their apprentices Josh Watson, an apprentice toolmaker from Faurecia in Lichfield and Sam Parkes, an apprentice CNC programmer from Neida Products in Stoke teamed up to scoop the Young Inventor award at the Made in the Midlands ceremony.

Together they presented the panel with an impressive interlocking tool divider and they impressed a high calibre judging panel with an overall project score of 56 out of 70 marked on Design, Originality, Planning, Research, Functionality and Success.

In-Comms Operations Director Gareth Jones said: We produce lifelong Engineers ensuring they have the necessary foundations to enable them to pursue any pathway within the sector. As part of our training programme we ensure learners know and understand the stages of product development and are taught the different materials and manufacturing processes.

Our guidance allowed Josh and Sam to get from concept to prototype with their invention. The Young Inventor Award also reinforced that presentation and communication skills are vital in the workplace.

During NAW In-Comm have secured a meeting with Wendy Morton the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Aldridge and Brownhills to discuss the future of apprenticeships.

Gareth added: This has become a hot issue in the run-up to the election, but the fact is that it has always been important if we are to sustain a skilled and successful base in the heartland of British manufacturing.

To find out how your company can benefit from In-Comms services visit www.in-comm.co.uk or call 01922 457686.

No Sugar thank you, our apprentices are sweet enough!

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 10/11/2015

It's November, the colleges are well into their stride and you've missed the boat to secure an apprentice to help future proof your business, right?

Wrong! Our next cohort of engineering apprentices start here at In-Comm in March 2016, so now is the time to contact us and discover how they can add value to you, as we train them to become engineers for life.

Our Strapline is 'Growth Expertly Delivered' so stop watching The Apprentice on TV and start watching your new apprentice make a real difference to your bottom line.

West Midlands apprentices head to Westminster to quiz MPs on skills support

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 27/03/2017

25 apprentices from the West Midlands travelled to London this week to quiz a number of politicians on the skills gap and the importance of vocational learning.

In-Comm Training, which operates training academies in Aldridge and Shrewsbury, arranged the visit to coincide with the culmination of the National Apprenticeship Week and to highlight the need for continued investment in generating the talent of the future.

The company arranged for the young people and 20 of their employers to debate the subject with Business Minister Margot James, the hosting MP Wendy Morton and fellow MPs Amanda Milling and Daniel Kawczynski.

They were also given a behind the scenes tour of Westminster and how the Houses of Parliament operate.

The Government has finally woken up to Apprenticeships being real jobs and the recent reforms will help engage employers to raise the quality and provide a faster route to competence, explained Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training.

We want to showcase the talent we are developing in the West Midlands to the people that make decisions and the conversations we had were very positive, building on the introduction of T-Levels in the recent Budget.

He continued: Raising parity of esteem between Apprenticeships and other forms of higher and further education is paramount to making sure we get young people considering this as a viable career path.

It was also important to express the business viewpoint and we had some fantastic employers join us from professional services, retail and industry.

In-Comm Training has 35 years experience of delivering apprentices and upskilling courses to companies across the Midlands.

Each year, it supports about 400 apprentices across its two academies, with many of its learners going on to hold senior management positions within the companies they train with.

IMI Precision Norgren, GKN Land Systems, Frank Dudley, Made in the Midlands, FBC Manby Bowdler, William Mitchell, B Mason & Son, Bradken, Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Cooke Brothers, Phoenix Tooling, Grainger & Worrall and Middas.

Rowan Crozier, CEO of Brandauer, also made the trip and said: We have to start sharing the message of how important apprenticeships are for the British economy; these young people are our future engineers, managers and decision makersthats exactly what this trip did.

It also highlighted how employers were working with In-Comm to develop their young people. Having a training provider that understands the bigger picture has changed the way we approach apprenticeships and is helping us grow our workforce.

Wendy Morton, MP for Aldridge-Brownhills was delighted to be involved in the event: I have always been a big supporter of Apprenticeships and the role they play in bridging the skills gap and there is nothing like hearing from young people about their experiences and their achievements.

It was also good to hear from businesses about the benefits they enjoy and also the financial commitment they makewithout employers willing to invest time and money into apprentices the skills gap would be a lot wider.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

Book now Supplier & Employer Event, 5th September

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 24/08/2016

Venue: Classic Motor Cars,Stanmore Industrial Estate, Bridgnorth WV15 5HP

Choose from either:
9.30am - 11.30am or 12.30pm - 2.30pm

Classic Motor Cars (CMC), Grainger & Worrall, In-Comm and Salop Design have partnered to build a 36,000sqf world class training facility. The consortium has pulled together to develop and deliver an employer lead training facility to address the skills/competency gap within the Marches area. The centre will boast foundation engineering equipment such as manual Lathes & Millers through to the latest in Engineering Technologies such as Metrology, Advanced 5 Axis CNC Machines, a Rolling Road, Classic Car Restoration through to Robotics & Automation.

We are inviting all potential suppliers and employers interested in being part of the new facility which will be based on the Stanmore Industrial Estate, Bridgnorth along to our 'Meet the Buyer' event. Please book your tickets via the eventbrite link (below).

If you're a supplier wishing to gain access to the capex list please contact Steve Yardley on 07967 682245. The closing date for tenders will be 6pm on the 7th September 2016 and we hope to start the procurement process week commencing 12th September 2016.

09.30 - 11.30: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supplier-employer-event-am-tickets-27071769391?aff=es2

12.30 - 14.30: ttps://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/supplier-employer-event-pm-tickets-27071767385?aff=es2

Survey reveals manufacturers are backing apprenticeships despite Brexit uncertainty

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 08/03/2019

Manufacturers are brushing aside the uncertainty around Brexit to continue investing in new apprentices according to a new survey.

The annual In-Comm Training Barometer, which is designed to take the temperature of industry’s appetite for training, revealed that 83% of firms are still committed to taking on the next generation of engineers despite issues around the UK leaving the EU.

Nearly three quarters (72%) of companies have already put aside budget to recruit apprentices over the next twelve months, with a surprising number of businesses (60%) stating they feel the Apprenticeship Levy is working.

The results brought to a close this year’s National Apprenticeship Week 2019, a 5-day celebration of vocational learning and its impact on individuals, employers and the economy.

Gareth Jones, Joint Managing Director of In-Comm Training, said: “We’ve been inundated with stories of Brexit causing a slowdown and putting the brakes on investment, so this report is a very pleasing shot in the arm and shows the importance companies are still placing on continuing to bridge the skills gap.

“Manufacturers, possibly more than any other sector, have recognised the value that comes with vocational learning and, if done right, how they can recruit and train staff so they have an immediate and lasting impact on their business.”

He continued: “I think what was surprising is that 60% of firms feel the Levy is working, which contradicts a lot of the current sentiment that is doing the rounds at the moment. Whilst not a resounding success, it does prove that if businesses are supported to make the most of it, it does deliver real benefits…I think the key is perhaps tinkering with the system rather than a complete overhaul.

“Whilst there is £2 billion unspent in the Levy pot, there are already warning signs that this and future money to be allocated by the Government, will not be enough to support future uptake when all standards are available and Universities are delivering degree apprenticeships.”

Of those that felt the Apprenticeship Levy wasn’t working, more than half said a lack of understanding was to blame for a lack of take-up, followed by 21% who felt the right training wasn’t available and 13% bemoaning a dearth of good quality training providers.

The vast majority (78%) of the 83 respondents to the In-Comm Training Barometer felt that the range of Trailblazer Apprenticeships didn’t give them access to the skills they needed, which proves that the speed of which standards are being release is halting engagement in some parts of the sector.

The report also highlighted that more than half of firms (54%) preferred part-time courses over the full-time option, whilst two fifths of companies engaged in apprenticeships don’t use them for upskilling.

This could be attributed to a lack of knowledge of what apprenticeships can be used for or the stigma still attached with this type of training and the notion that it is usually reserved for young people or someone at a basic skills level.

Finally, UK industry appears to have not heeded the move towards Industry 4.0, with just over a third of manufacturers questioned taking measures to implement digital systems and technology.

Gareth went on to add: “The findings of the report tally with what we’re seeing at our three Technical Academies in the Black Country and Shropshire, with 280 apprenticeship opportunities currently available – all linked to full time positions with some great local employers.

“This means you can learn from the best trainers, on the best equipment and get paid for it, with a recent partnership with University of Wolverhampton offering a pathway to a degree at the end of it – all without the associated debt that can go with it. That’s a £100,000 opportunity for young people or mature workers looking for a change in career.”

He concluded: “The skills gap is only going to get bigger if we fail to invest in the next generation of engineers and it appears from the report that companies have no intention of giving up on the good work that has been going on.

“Now is the time for Government to listen to some of the valid criticisms around the Levy and make sure they modify the system so that small, medium and large firms can benefit. We have to make it a success, in order to make sure the economy can prosper in uncertain times.”

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

In-Comm Training will be one of the members exhibiting at this year's Made in the Midlands Expo on June 20 at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry. To join them or register for tickets to the event click on the banner below and don't forget to visit our new website - www.madeinthemidlandsexpo.co.uk

£1.5m boost for In-Comm Training

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 03/08/2017

In-Comm Training has announced it is going ahead with a £1.5m extension that will more than triple the size of its facility in Aldridge.

The Black Country training specialist has joined forces with workholding specialist Hyfore to develop an Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centre next door to its current site in Vigo Place.

Backed by the Black Country LEPs Growth Deal, the ambitious plan will create an additional 16,000 sq ft of space that will be fitted out with world class CNC machine tools, automation and a robotics line, fluid power stations and a dedicated electrical and electronics section.

It will also house material testing, material handling and grinding capabilities, as well as a 16-seater Mastercam and CIMCO CAD/CAM studio to help students develop their design for manufacturing skills.

Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training, commented: Things are happening to bridge the skills gap, but not many firms have thought about the competency gap and that involves looking at equipping firms in the West Midlands with the technical and advanced skills they need to make the most of global opportunities.

This extension, which gives us a combined space of 21,000 sq ft, will address this issue and create a world class training hub that will provide an additional 420 Apprenticeship Trailblazer places between now and 2022. We will also aim to provide over 1200 upskilling courses in prototyping, R&D, operational excellence and data analysis.

He continued: Getting Industry 4.0 ready is not just something for the big manufacturers to think of, SMEs also have to embrace it and take advantage of increased connectivity and real-time data and automation.

This facility will help SMEs gain access to application engineers and state-of-the-art technology that will allow them to product develop and process map prior to installing manufacturing cells into their factories.

Work on the extension will start shortly and will be completed by the 4th September to welcome a new apprenticeship intake.

In-Comm will be tapping into Hyfores considerable experience in advanced engineering, turnkey projects, CNC machining and prototyping to fit out the centre with the latest equipment and in finalising some of the new Trailblazer Apprenticeship Courses.

The duo has also enlisted the support of the Engineering Technology Group in supplying the CNC machine tools, Halter for the Robotic Systems and Mastercam and CIMCO for the design of the CAD/CAM suite.

Sulzer Dowding & Mills will provide their expertise in motors, whilst IMI Precision Engineering will be supporting the fluid power installation.

Hyfores joint Managing Director Gary Dickenson picked up the story: We need technically advanced employees coming through the ranks and our customers are saying something very similar.

The UK has a great opportunity to be at the forefront of advanced manufacturing, but were not going to compete with our international rivals without ensuring the skills pipeline is expansive and delivering what manufacturers need.

Government can only do so much. As an industry, we need to do our bit and our involvement in this Advanced Manufacturing Technology Centre at In-Comm is a further commitment to generating the engineers of the future.

Gestamp, a specialist in metal components for the automotive sector, will be one of the first companies to take advantage of this new investment, with more set to follow.

Stewart Towe, Black Country LEP Chair said: The Growth Deal is helping the Black Country LEP to invest in and change the landscape of the whole Black Country.

We are delighted to be working with partners, such as In-Comm, to develop the build of specialist training facilities to support hands on skills development across the advanced manufacturing sector.

Full credit: Qimtek

Engineering Sustainable Development

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 11/09/2014

Girl Power leads the way at the In-Comm Training Awards

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 10/06/2018

Girl power was brought to the fore when In-Comm Training held its annual awards, with two female apprentices claiming top prizes at the event.

Integrated Water Services Laura Thacker was named as the Most Improved Learner of the Year having overcome several setbacks to develop her skills and excel in her apprenticeship, whilst Maria Collins from IMI Precision (Norgren) secured the Outstanding Learner of the Year and Peter Wood Memorial title.

The latter impressed an industry-led judging panel with her level of dedication to work and the way she has employed excellent management and organisational skills to take control and successfully complete projects.

They were joined on stage by Caterpillar Shrewsburys Lauren Ball, who is one of the first apprentices in the country to be trained at the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology in Bridgnorth.

Despite being the only female in her first cohort, the Learner of the Year In-Comm Academies Engineering has shown a real appetite for new challenges and often leads from the front, carrying out every job to the best of her ability.

Bekki Phillips, joint Managing Director at In-Comm Training, said: There has been a lot of media debate about the effectiveness of the Apprenticeship Levy, but one thing that is not in question is the important role we all play in developing the engineers of the future.

Apprenticeships offer a fantastic way for companies to develop their own staff and for young people to become competent craft and technical engineers by being exposed to all levels of education and a host of practical scenarios.

If they go all the way to Degree level through this route, theyll also save £100,000 on average when compared to people going to University.

The In-Comm Training Awards are designed to showcase the best vocational learners in the Midlands, highlighting individuals who have gone above and beyond, mentors that have given blood, sweat and tears in developing their younger members of staff and employers who have put their money where their mouths are.

She continued: This year will be remembered for girl power, with our two main prizes going to Laura and Maria, with Lauren also picking up one of the awards. These girls are fantastic ambassadors for women in engineering and will go on to have great careers in industry.

Other winners at the In-Comm Awards 2018 included:

Learner of the Year - Business Support: Jack Shakespeare (Ames Group)

Learner of the Year Supervisory Management: Marc Edwards (Walsall Pressings)

Learner of the Year Continuous Improvement: Lloyd Scarsbrook (CPE Pressure Vessels)

Learner of the Year Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies: Maria Collins (IMI Precision)

Ambassador of the Year Keith Collins (Castings Plc)

The focus was also on companies, with Birmingham-based precision metal stamping specialist Brandauer taking the Employer of the Year title for the way it has made apprentices more than 15% of its total workforce, helping it to retain specialist skills and reduce the average age of staff to just 44 in the process.

Headline sponsor for the event was the Engineering Technology Group (ETG), one of the UKs leading machine tools suppliers. Chloe Reeve, Technical Co-ordinator and former apprentice, was one of the judges for this years competition.

She said: The quality of the entries was fantastic, with lots of stories of young people saving their companies money and solving production bottlenecks even mentoring their peers who might be struggling on certain topics.

The winners and the nominees are excellent ambassadors for recruiting the next apprentices and the engineers of the future.

Over 350 people attended the In-Comm Training Awards, held for the first time at the ICC in Birmingham.

Guests were given an insight into life behind the scenes of Robot Wars by Grant and James Cooper, before being entertained by Black Country royalty in the shape of Doreen Tipton.

Sponsors for the event included Black Country Chamber of Commerce, B Mason & Sons, Classic Motor Cars, Grainger & Worrall, In-Comm Training and Manufacturing Group, Jonathan Lee Recruitment, Made in the Midlands, My Workwear, Salop Design & Engineering and the University of Wolverhampton.

Pictured from left: Jack Shakespeare (Ames Group), Lorraine Ferman (Brandauer), Laura Thacker (Integrated Water Services), Maria Collins (IMI Precision), Lauren Ball (Caterpillar Shrewsbury), Marc Edwards (Walsall Pressings) and Lloyd Scarsbrook (CPE Pressure Vessels).

Salop Design & Engineering press ahead with help from In-Comm Training

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 28/09/2014

In-Comm have been working with the pressings sector since its birth in 1982 and still delivers programmes to companies they partnered with over 3 decades ago. The team of specialists continually train, consult and maintain organisations compliance with legislation through Power Press Regulation courses and NVQ programmes.

Gareth Jones, Operations Director at In-Comm said "we increase employee's competency by enhancing the two key ingredients that are needed, knowledge and experience." Our programmes are designed to not only teach, but guide candidates through putting their education into practice."

Chris Greenough of Salop Design & Engineering, a long term partner of In-Comm said "It can not be stressed enough, the value of training and skills in a highly competitive and fast paced industry, such as Manufacturing in the UK today."

"Salop teamed up with In-Comm over a decade ago to ensure it was compliant with legislation for power press setter/operator training, but also to ensure a firm training plan was in place to predict skills gaps and plug them through Apprenticeships and Up-Skilling of existing staff."

"We at Salop have put many of our staff through training and NVQ programmes with In-Comm and are seeing real benefits. Staff are engaged in Improvement Techniques and empowered to take ownership of their working procedures and environment."

For further information, please contact Gareth Jones on 01922 457686, garethj@in-comm.co.uk or visit www.in-comm.co.uk. You can also follow them on Facebook and Twitter at @incomm_training

In-Comm Breakfast Seminar - ISO 9001:2015 is changing. What does it mean for your business?

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 14/10/2015

Are you one of the thousands of businesses in the UK that hold the UKAS accredited ISO 9001:2008 certificate?

The release of the ISO 9001:2015 affects everyone with the previous standard. To what extent will differ greatly from business to business.

To help you understand how this might affect your business In-Comm are running a breakfast seminar on Wednesday 21st October and you will leave with all the information you need to know.

We have limited availability so find out more and to book your space on this essential update by clicking this link.

West Midlands training legend passes away

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 11/08/2020

One of the West Midlands leading supporters of vocational learning has sadly passed away.

Geoff Jones, who ran training provider In-Comm Training since 1997, died unexpectedly in late July and leaves behind his wife Annette, children Bekki and Gareth and his much-loved grandchildren Darcy and Frederik.

The larger than life character (in more ways than one) had been involved in manufacturing for more than 50 years after starting his career with British Steel in Bilston in 1968, before completing a BA in Human Resources & Business Studies and moving to Swan Housewares in Lye.

He stayed there until 1988 when his love affair with In-Comm began, first heading up the recruitment agency side of the firm and then working his way up to Training & Business Adviser, Business Services Manager and then Director just four years later.

Geoff along with lifelong friend and colleague Colin Mills then decided they wanted to ensure the long-term future of the business by buying shares in it, and, after convincing Annette to re-mortgage the family home, this was secured in 1997.

Bekki Phillips, Managing Director of In-Comm Training, commented: “We are devastated to lose Dad, first as a family and then for the passion and commitment he always gave to the business, our apprentices and people looking to use training to boost their career.

“The In-Comm journey since 1997 has been phenomenal and this couldn’t have been achieved without the vision and ability to build relationships that Geoff and Colin brought to the business.”

She continued: “The amount of goodwill in the engineering, manufacturing, warehousing and professional services worlds locally could only have been generated by continuing to go above and beyond in what they promised to do.

“Dad will be forever remembered by everyone who met him and we are going to be celebrating his life and achievements at a special dinner in Birmingham on December 17th.”

Under Geoff and Colin’s leadership, In-Comm Training was one of the few providers who ensured vocational learning for industry was still available during the late nineties and early 2000s when a lot of support had gone by the wayside.The duo always recognised the importance of developing the next generation of engineering talent, adopting an employer-led approach to bridging the skills gap that now sees 700 apprentices supported every year and thousands of upskilling opportunities for industry and commerce delivered.

A family ethos has also been at the heart of the business and this saw his children Bekki and Gareth join the company in 2000 and 2008 respectively. They both learned the trade in various roles within the business, eventually becoming joint Managing Directors in 2016 when Geoff and Colin decided to semi-retire.

The company, which is rated Outstanding by Ofsted, has invested more than £7m into the development of its three technical academies in Aldridge and at MCMT Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, providing the state-of-the-art facilities that mirror the expertise of its experienced trainers.

Gareth, who has since taken up a new challenge with the Engineering Technology Group but is still a shareholder and Executive Director of In-Comm Training, concluded: “I think dad will be remembered for his caring attitude, his passion for the business and being unique in that everyone who met him…loved him.

“We’ve had clients ringing us up with many fond memories of how he helped them keep their firms going and how he also supported them with personal issues. One lady even remembered how he supported her during her father going into a home and another when he continually kept in touch with a colleague whilst they were off work on long-term sick.

“Even though he semi-retired, he could never stop working. In-Comm Training was his lifelong passion and many of the people he worked with in 1988 were still his clients. He genuinely cared about people and they cared about him. A true living gentleman.”

Geoff’s funeral will be held on 17th August at St Thomas’ Church in Wednesfield at 11am, then after at Bushbury Crematorium for the burial.

Due to current Covid-19 restrictions, the funeral is by family invitation only, but friends and colleagues wishing to pay their respects can line the street outside In-Comm Training when the funeral cortege passes at 10am or alternatively outside the church/crematorium before and after the services.

In-Comm Training announce new Operations Director as it looks to build on £7.5m investment drive

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 23/07/2019

One of the West Midlands leading training providers has announced a new senior management team, as it looks to capitalise on recent investment and a record year of performance.

In-Comm Training, which has supported more than 2500 people with apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities in 2018, has promoted Chris Reeves to Operations Director, overseeing the further expansion of academies in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury.

The former member of the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers will join Directors Colin Mills, Geoff Jones and Bekki Phillips on the senior management team, with the latter moving to Managing Director.

This follows the news that former joint-MD Gareth Jones will be stepping down from his full-time role in August to concentrate on new opportunities. He will still remain as a shareholder and will provide support with strategy, long-term business planning and the development of the In-Comm Training & Manufacturing Group.

“Working with our consortium partners, we have secured and delivered more than £7.5m of investment in creating three world class training centres in the West Midlands,” explained Bekki Phillips.

“It has been a hectic time and the opportunity now is ensuring we capitalise on these facilities and maintaining strong business and apprenticeship engagement.”

She continued: “We have spent the last twelve months establishing an excellent and robust Leadership team that will form the backbone of the business going forward and that includes experienced industry specialists Jason Daniels and Stuart Dallaway, along with Chris Reeves.

“The latter has done a fantastic job as Operations Manager and will now take a more strategic involvement in the development of the In-Comm technical academy in Aldridge and the Marches Centre of Manufacturing and Technology in Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury.

“In total, that’s over 75,000 sq ft of outstanding training space that can cater for up to 2000 apprentices every year and is capable of supporting in excess of 3000 businesses. This capacity is the challenge we are tackling, but it also represents a fantastic opportunity for companies to get involved with us, in order to help them address the skills shortage they are facing.”

Chris, who held roles in logistics, training and recruitment during a 10-year career with the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers, joined In-Comm Training in 2014 as an assessor before working his way up to Operations Manager.

He has impressed the senior management team with his ability to manage the day-to-day operations of the three academies, as well as integrating up to 40 new trailblazer apprenticeships, covering anything from machining and metrology to heritage and electronics.

As Operations Director, he will now be tasked with the on-boarding process for new and existing clients, ensuring a well-balanced and focused solution to their skills requirements journey.

Chris went on to add: “This is a great way to celebrate five years at In-Comm and comes at a very exciting stage of our development as a leading provider of vocational training in the UK.

“I’ve always had a passion for personal development and this new role gives me the opportunity to positively influence over 2500 different people every year – and this figure will grow as we increase engagement and open up all areas of our investment.”

Bekki concluded: “Gareth has been with In-Comm for eleven years and has been instrumental in our growth and helping us establish our employer-led approach to training, including securing high-profile projects, such as MCMT and the ECMS’ National Power Press and Tooling Centre.

“I’m really pleased that he’s agreed to remain on the board and continue to contribute to our strategic vision and act as an ambassador for how powerful vocational learning can be for business and industry.”

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

In-Comm Training and Brandauer partner to reverse toolmaking skills crisis

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 14/11/2022

£1m Precision Tooling Academy set to reverse toolmaking skills crisis

The UK’s first ever Precision Tooling Academy has been launched thanks to a pioneering partnership between In-Comm Training and Brandauer.

Over £1m has been invested by the two strategic partners to create a commercial toolroom in the training provider’s facility in Aldridge, which will produce complex tooling, as well as acting as a professional training ground for the toolmakers and designers of the future.

This is a vital move for domestic industry, with the sector being held back by a severe lack of toolmakers and the very real possibility of losing these essential skills forever as older workers choose to retire.

The Precision Tooling Academy aims to reverse this trend by offering companies access to professional toolmaking courses, upskilling opportunities for qualified engineers looking to diversify their skills and a Level 6 Tool Process Design Apprenticeship to develop the next generation of talent.

Training will be unlike anything currently on the market, with up to 35 individuals in the first twelve months able to learn on live tooling projects that will be producing hundreds of thousands of parts every week and will give Brandauer and other tooling experts the opportunity to reshore more manufacturing projects from Asia, the EU and the US.

In a massive stamp of approval, a major car manufacturer has agreed to be the first company to put their engineers through the toolmaking course and has contributed to the actual development of the curriculum.

Gareth Jones, Managing Director at In-Comm Training, commented: “We have always placed employers at the heart of our approach to skills and, through our close relationship with Brandauer, identified a real demand to create and upskill engineers into world-class toolmakers.

“Lots of conversations turned into a rough plan to create an advanced training academy that is embedded into a live commercial toolroom. This would serve two purposes…provide the best possible hands-on practical and theoretical training, whilst also giving the precision stamping specialist additional capacity to meet the growing global demand for more UK made tools. A win-win and we’ve both backed it to the tune of £1m.”

He continued: “Brandauer has jointly developed the course syllabus around its own proven tooling development process, whilst we have contributed our years of expertise in vocationally balanced delivery to offer truly unique course content.

“This isn’t just a ground-breaking project for our two businesses, but for manufacturing as a whole. We immediately have provision for 35 training places, yet this could easily expand with more companies getting involved…this is open to everyone, whether you are an OEM or part of the supply chain.”

The Precision Tooling Academy has also attracted the support of Inventive Engineering & Design and Hexagon, who will bring product development, jig and fixture design and VISI die making expertise to the fore.

Unique to the toolmaking sector, the latter is an end-to-end CAD/CAM solution that is used in the design, simulation and manufacture of progressive & stamping dies and supports all parts of the process.

“This is a real industry collaboration featuring some of the best names in training, toolmaking and tool design,” added Rowan Crozier, CEO of Birmingham-based Brandauer.

“We are talking about one of the ‘great’ manufacturing disciplines and we’re in a real pinch point now where a lot of the skills could be lost forever with people retiring.

“This Academy – with more than £1m invested in a GF AgieCharmilles and Mitsubishi wire EDM machines, CNC machines, grinders and ZwickRoell material testing equipment and Hexagon scanning arm - will begin to address this issue, as well as giving us additional toolroom capacity to produce commercial tools that will help us grow.

“Return on investment for companies looking to get involved is relatively quick, with an average toolmaker recruitment fee of £6k (if you can find them) and £1k savings from every press tool set right, first time.

“Exchange rates are already boosting a recent reshoring trend that has seen us win new tooling projects back from China and other low-cost countries.”

The toolmaking programme features 12 different units, ranging from manufacturing process, costing and strip layout to understanding the bill of materials, using a wire EDM machine, part validation and problem solving to ensure the tools work when they are built.

Apprenticeships will also be offered in the form of a Level 6 in Tool Process Design, an advanced course that has been shaped in partnership with the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM).

The latter will be a crucial ambassador and the End Point Assessment Centre for the qualification, which covers CAD training, blanking/form tools, simulation, SMED and lean and APQP/PPAP quality certifications.

Gareth Jones concluded: “Our approach is all about bringing industry and training specialists together to ensure we deliver current and future skills.

“With this in mind, In-Comm and Brandauer are both part of the Level 3 Toolmaker and Tool & Die Maintenance Technician trailblazer group, which is rewriting the way training is delivered. This should be launched in time for the September 2023 cohorts, creating a further 30 spaces for the engineers of the future.”

For further information, please visit https://in-comm.co.uk/tooling-academy-launch/.

Caption for In-Comm Precision Tooling (Group): (L-R) Marcus Gardner (Hexagon), Geraldine Bolton (CBM), Stuart Berry and Rowan Crozier (both Brandauer), Gareth Jones (In-Comm Training), Adrian Howell (Inventive Engineering & Design) and Bekki Phillips (In-Comm Training).

About In-Comm Training

In-Comm Training, which is rated outstanding by Ofsted, is one of the UK’s leading independent training providers, supporting more than 700 apprentices and 450 companies every year with apprenticeships, upskilling opportunities, and strategic consultancy to improve business performance.

Operating from three world class technical academies in the Black Country and Shropshire, it has pioneered the employer-led approach to skills, engaging with firms to understand their requirements and then collaborating with them on shaping course delivery and the latest development opportunities so you are futureproofing staff for years to come.

The strategic technical partnerships are one of its unique strengths, closely followed by a £7m investment drive that has given learners access to state-of-the-art technology in CNC machining, 3D printing, fluid power and metrology.

About Brandauer

Established in 1862, Brandauer is one of the West Midlands’ best kept manufacturing secrets, producing millions of high tolerance metal pressings and stampings every week for customers in the plumbing, automotive, domestic products, electrical, medical and renewables sectors.

Most of its products are invisible to the user but are fundamental in making many everyday items work effectively. These include electrical connectors that are fitted in 90% of the world's kettles, edge connectors for the dimming of rear-view mirrors in 50% of modern-day cars and hundreds of millions of nose clips for face masks – so important in recent times.

Apprentice nominated for In-Comm award

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 20/05/2015

By Dan Sharp

A Hagley based accountant has been nominated for a prestigious industry award.

Rachel Green, 22, has been put forward for the annual In-Comm Training and Business Service Awards by her apprenticeship assessor at Baldwins Accountants.

This is the fourth time the awards will be handed out to celebrate and reward young apprentices and adult learners from across the West Midlands.

Rachel, who recently completed her year-long apprenticeship programme in Baldwins Stourbridge office, feels the award would be a wonderful way to mark the end of the process.

She said: Its a bit scary to be nominated for this award, but it would be a good end to the apprenticeship.

I previously worked on reception in a gym and was looking for a way into a more professional working environment.

I wanted to train on the job and I wouldnt have had the chance to do that without going into an apprenticeship like this. It is always something I had been interested in doing.

Rachel has been nominated in the Apprentice of the Year Business Support category ahead of an evening celebration at Wolverhamptons Grand Station on Friday, June 5.

David Baldwin, a partner at the firm, said: We have an ongoing commitment to playing our part in the development of the next generation of the workforce.

We have had some fantastic apprentices in the past and Rachel is a fine example of what can be achieved with focus in a working environment conducive to the development of its staff.

http://www.bromsgroveadvertiser.co.uk/news/business_daily/12948086.Hagley_accountant_nominated_for_industry_award/

Will you be joining us to celebrate success at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton on Friday June 5th? Call Bekki on 01922 457686 to confirm your place.

Report shows appetite for Apprenticeships remains strong, but inflation a worry for employers looking to attract and retain staff

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 14/04/2022

Investment in apprenticeships has remained resilient in the face of the pandemic according to a new report released today.

In-Comm Training’s 3rd annual Training Barometer revealed that 67% of companies had taken on apprentices during the last twelve months, whilst a staggering 97% kept all their learners on despite the pressures of Covid-19.

The confidence extends into the future, with more than two thirds of businesses (70%) committing to taking on an apprentice over the next year (up from 47% in 2021), with 69% giving employees the opportunity to progress learning all the way to an HNC or Degree.

There were, however, some concerns in the report, which featured 105 companies from aerospace, automotive, distribution, general engineering and professional services.

The impact of the pandemic had resulted in nearly a third of companies cutting back on their training spend and barriers to embarking down the vocational route continue to be dominated by a lack of in-house infrastructure and understanding of all the different apprenticeship standards currently out there.

“These results show a massive shift change from last year with companies reaffirming their commitment to investing in vocational learning, underlining the major strides apprenticeships have made over the last few years and the value management teams place in them,” explained Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training.

“Despite all of the pressures, the turmoil and the restrictions, bosses believed it was vital to retain existing learners and, importantly, continue to invest in new ones as they didn’t want to be hit with a skills gap when the recovery started.”

He continued: “This is none more pertinent than in engineering, where there is a lack of talent and the people that are out there are demanding extortionate wages. Growing your own is the only sustainable way of getting around this situation and those that held their nerve during the pandemic have come out of it better.

“Looking at the bigger picture, the key barrier for training is releasing staff from core activities (49%) as many of them were focused on continuous improvement activities during the downturn, in order to improve processes/quality, implement automation and reduce waste.

“The second biggest challenge was identifying the right course for what the business needs (19%), proving that, as a sector, we need to make things simpler.”

The In-Comm Training Barometer also asked respondents about why they invest in apprenticeships, with close to two thirds of companies citing a desire to develop future talent as their primary objective.

This was followed by ‘fulfilling a skills gap’ and ‘retaining skills within a business’, although reskilling was valued by just 1% of companies, a surprising score when you consider the current skills crisis and industry desperately competing for a shrinking labour pool.

Growing cost of inflation is firmly on the mind of many management teams, with 58% citing it as a significant barrier to attracting and retaining staff, an issue that could potentially get worse before it gets better with employees also looking for flexible working patterns and training and development.

The final major concern employers have is a ‘skills drain’ that comes from older workers retiring. Here 70% of businesses are concerned about the impact on staff and their ability to meet the requirements of their customers.

Gareth continued: “Whilst the overwhelming feeling is one of optimism, you can’t escape the very real economic and societal challenges that are having an impact on decisions around training and vocational learning.

“The biggest takeaway from this report is how firms are seeing apprenticeships in more than their traditional guise and using them to develop Engineering, Leadership & Management, Continuous Improvement and Health & Safety professionals. I’d like to think we could build on this as a way of increasing multi-skilling throughout organisations, retraining people in new technologies and halting the skills drain.”

For further information or to download the report, please visit https://in-comm.co.uk/training-barometer-2022/ or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

£500,000 advanced skills boost for West Midlands manufacturers

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 12/01/2022

Hundreds of workers across the West Midlands are being given the opportunity to upskill thanks to a new initiative by The Black Country & Marches Institute of Technology (IoT).

Companies can now access specialist training for members of staff aged 19+ on one of three Level 4 technical courses in Automated Machining, Robotics and Quality Assurance.

The £500,000 In-Work Skills pilot, which will be delivered at the Marches spoke of the IOT at In-Comm Training in Telford, is free of charge and can be completed part-time and in modules giving both staff and employers complete flexibility.

Topics have been chosen to reflect the changing needs of industry as they look to take advantage of new opportunities in advanced manufacturing and greener technologies, including the march towards electrification.

“Brexit and Covid has placed a lot of financial pressure on businesses and, in some cases, training budgets have been cut, meaning employees and bosses are missing out on vital skills development,” commented Bekki Phillips, Chief Operating Officer at In-Comm Training.

“The In-Work Skills pilot has been designed to bridge this gap and will give manufacturers access to high quality Level 4 technical courses at no cost to them.

“They will be delivered by our industry trainers, with content developed in conjunction with technical partners, such as the Engineering Technology Group and Bauromat. Furthermore, employers will also have a big say in shaping the focus, so it gives them exactly the skills they need to become more competitive and to win new business.”

All courses are Level 4, enabling individuals to access a higher level of training and will be delivered one day per week over a three-month period, beginning the second week of January.

Individuals will have to complete assignment-based examinations to ensure they have the necessary knowledge and understanding of the specialist topics, including modern machining methods, key principles of six sigma and robot cell design.

Eligibility is simply manufacturers based in the West Midlands, employees must be aged 19+ and the company needs to have a strong desire to upskill their workforce.

Bekki went on to add: “This is a great opportunity for individuals to learn new skills that will futureproof their career and potentially support future promotion opportunities.

“The blended learning, a mixture of face-to-face training and online supervision, means it is really flexible and it is rare that such a high-level programme can be completed without too much time taken away from the day job.”

For further information or to book a course, please email sales@in-comm.co.uk

In-Comm Training ‘Open Day’ set to attract hundreds of potential apprentices

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 31/01/2020

Hundreds of young people looking for a career in engineering and manufacturing are set to descend on Aldridge next month as part of a special Open Day.

In-Comm Training, which is rated ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, will throw open the doors of its Technical Academy on Saturday February 8th (10am - 2pm) to provide a unique insight into life as an apprentice.

Budding engineers will be able to access all areas of the £3m facility, taking in live demonstrations and exploring the firm’s CNC zone, EDM machine, dedicated fluid power unit and the soon-to-be commissioned National Press and Tooling Centre.

They will be able to talk to tutors about the 40 different Trailblazer courses available, including mechatronics, machining, electrotechnical and product design and development.

Stuart Parker, Business Development Advisor at In-Comm Training, commented: “People’s perceptions of industry are changing slowly, so we have a job to do to accelerate the thinking and showcase exactly what a career in this sector can offer in terms of progression, pay and opportunities.

“The best way of doing this is to get young people, their parents and even mature workers looking to reskill through the doors so they can see first-hand the technology they’ll be learning on, what is involved in the courses and all the expertise our tutors can bring to the table.”

He continued: “Over 200 people are already signed up and we are expecting double that number over the four hours, with view to signing at least 100 individuals up for interviews to embark on a possible apprenticeship.

“We’ve got lots of employers already in place that have a variety of positions to fill. These include Metal Processes 1959, Precision Technologies, Metal Assemblies, PP Control & Automation, Castings PLC and Valen Fittings to name just a few firms.”

Visitors to the In-Comm Training Open Day will also be able to quiz current apprentices about the courses and the support they receive.

This will range from 1st to 3rd year learners and also workers who have embarked on the vocational route and are now in full-time employment and climbing the career ladder in industry.

Stuart concluded: “There’s nothing like getting feedback - ‘warts and all’ from your peers to help sharpen the mind. Our apprentices continue to be our best ambassadors for promoting apprenticeships as a great way to start your career.”

In-Comm is one of the UK’s leading training providers, working across more than 10 sectors and with over 450 different companies.

It has developed a simple, but effective employer-led approach to bridging the country’s skills gap. This focuses on building strong relationships with companies, listening to their challenges and opportunities and then giving them the opportunity to shape learning opportunities that meet their specific requirements.

Over £7.5m has been invested into the firm’s three Technical Academies at Aldridge and at its Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) hubs in Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or email jayneg@in-comm.co.uk

In-Comm Training turns to virtual learning as part of its Coronavirus response

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 31/03/2020

One of the UK’s leading training providers has developed a new way of making sure apprentices are able to continue their learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.

In-Comm Training, which operates three technical academies in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, will be delivering all courses via a virtual platform, ensuring its 750 learners still have access to industry experienced trainers and assessors when they need them most.

The ambition is to make it ‘business as usual’ where the firm can, with individuals able to complete tasks online using Google Classrooms or Microsoft Teams.

“Our first concern has always been the safety of our learners, staff and the employers we work with, so we have had to cancel all on-site training at our technical academies until further notice,” explained Bekki Phillips, Managing Director at In-Comm Training.

“The good news is that learning can happen in many forms and we are still 100% committed to supporting learners in developing their skills and, importantly, achieving their qualifications.”

She continued: “Virtual platforms like Google Classrooms and Microsoft Teams are perfect for supporting apprentices on their journeys and we can also use the technology to deliver some commercial upskilling courses.

“We feel it is important for learners to still keep that face-to-face contact via video links as it can be the difference between understanding content, being able to ask questions and, in some ways, keeping up morale.

“The technology will also be used be to complete assessments, removing the need for our assessors to make on-site visits.”

In-Comm Training recognises the impact Covid-19 is having on mental health and will also be enhancing its pastoral case for all learners during this difficult time.

For more information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training

CBM Advocates In-Comm

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 21/04/2015

The CBM has established a partnership with one of the UKs 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.

It was important that we teamed up with a provider which had significant experience in working with all sizes of organisations; from the OEMs and Tier One suppliers, right down to the small and medium-sized businesses which form the majority of our membership.

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-Comms business development director, Gareth Jones, believes CBM members will be particularly attracted to his organisations 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, were seeing more and more companies recruiting apprentices, he says.

We have around 5,500 sq ft of specialist training space at Aldridge, and weve 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, well 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, were happy to discuss the options with them. We have 30 full-time trainers on our books at the moment, and were 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.

Im 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 wont be long before you wont 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.

Pictured: CBM's Operations Director Geraldine Boulton with In-Comm's Gareth Jones.

New training academy boosts Shropshire’s manufacturing skills

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 28/09/2015

A new £300,000 training academy has been officially opened in Shrewsbury to boost the Countys ability to develop the engineers of the future.

In-Comm has joined forces with metal pressing and assembly specialist Salop Design & Engineering Ltd to create the 10,000 sq ft facility, which will support up to 60 apprentices every year and provide a host of specialist training opportunities for local employers.

The project has taken just two months to build at Salops Brixton Way factory, with the dedicated space now equipped with modern lathes, milling centres, surface grinders, welding bays and state-of-the-art teaching areas.

A new 10-seat CAD training room was also unveiled and announced as The Dickie Homden Design Suite, in honour of the founder of Salop Design and Engineering.

Shropshire is crying out for more dedicated industry-led provision in order to support its resurgent manufacturing basewere hoping our Academy will start to address this skills gap, explained Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training & Business Services.

Our relationship with Salop Design dates back more than forty years, which in that time we have helped developed apprentices and worked together on promoting UK manufacturing to young people.

He continued: We knew we wanted to establish a presence in Shropshire and the management at Salop said they would be happy to dedicate some space inside their factory to make it happen.

Together, we have created a world class training facility that combines expert teaching, access to new machinery/design capabilities and the opportunity for apprentices to witness theory being applied on live manufacturing projects.

In-Comm Training Academy Shrewsbury (ITAS) will provide Intermediate, Advanced and Higher Apprenticeships to 16-24 year-olds looking to carve careers in fabrication and welding, maintenance, production, quality, toolmaking and precision engineering.

Initially, there will be around 60 industrial places available, with plans already in place to increase this figure to 100 by 2018.

At the same time, ITAS is also looking to offer apprenticeships in administration, customer service and business management.

Gareth continued: Interest in what we are offering has been huge, with eight employers already signed up to train their young people at our Academy. This includes Mail Solutions and Bill Carr Precision Engineering.

However, developing young people is just one aspect of what we do. Were also going to be offering companies the chance to tap into training on continuous improvement, quality, technical development and safety.

Going forward we want to create a Shropshire Industrial Partnership, where local employers can shape the type of training we provide. Theres no point trying to second guess what our manufacturers want, lets get them on board and hear exactly what support they would like.

Christopher Greenough, Director at Salop Design and Engineering, added his support:

We have always been committed to enhancing the learning experience of our own staff and the pace we are expanding means there is now an even greater need to be able to bring new people through to bolster our current workforce and help us achieve even more.

Having the Academy on our doorstep means our apprentices arent travelling 50 miles to get the learning they require, whilst we have easy access to fantastic training facilities that other members of our staff can use.

Importantly, we are doing our bit to help UK manufacturing bridge the skills gap. Apprenticeships are a key part of this learning while earning.

Shrewsbury MP Daniel Kawczynski was given the honour of officially opening the In-Coming Training Academy Shrewsbury in front of 70 people today.

He was given a guided tour of the facility and also chatted to the trainers delivering the courses and some of the first apprentices due to start next week.

It is always encouraging to hear that businesses themselves are looking at innovative ways of training the next generation, added Daniel Kawczynski.

He concluded: I have known about Salop Design & Engineering for many years, as it has been at the forefront of manufacturing in the UK and a key local employer for constituents.

With the current revival of engineering and manufacturing, the firm has recognised the value of high quality training schemes which are instrumental in plugging the skills gap. I am truly confident that the In-Comm Training Academy in Shrewsbury will be a success.

Join our new In-Comm Alumni on Linkedin

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 04/08/2015

Calling all former learners with In-Comm...We have just set up a Linkedin Alumni page for learners past and present to that allows you to share knowledge, experiences and even to let us know how you have used your training in the workplace.

We'd love you to get involved and look forward to hearing from you.

We also have limited spaces available for our apprentice engineering packages available in August and September.

Health & Safety:

IOSH - Managing Safety
Power Press Regulations (novice/refresher)

Technical Development:

Basic Hydraulics
Basic Pneumatics
Fluid Power Electronics Controls
Programmable Logic Controls (PLC)

To find out more about the content or to book call Gemma on 01922 457686.

Record turn-out at In-Comm Golf Day

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 10/11/2015

Well, some said it couldn't be done, but as always, the positive attitude that's helped us to train thousands of engineers over the past three decades has prevailed. Our Invitational Golf Day sponsored by RBS, attracted a record number of participants (yes on a damp November morning).

Congratulations go to the winning team (pictured L-R) Stuart Neil - JC Payne, Stuart Welch - RBS Corporate, Brian King - Pentax Medical and John Higginson - Land Marque.

Our huge thanks go to everyone who played and raised money during Lung Cancer Awareness month and to The Astbury for looking after us on the day. See you next year?

Check out our facebook page for all the photos from the day

In-Comm calls on new Government to embrace an employer-led approach to skills

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 13/12/2019

Following on from yesterdays UK General Election, which saw the Conservative Party, under Boris Johnson, return to power with a majority of 80, Bekki Phillips, Managing Director at In-Comm Training has provided comment on what she hopes this outcome will provide.

Speaking on Friday the 13th of December, 2020, Bekki Phillips said: “The biggest thing for business is that hopefully we now have an end to uncertainty and the Government – with a working majority – can start to look to the future and to implement some of its policies to support the economy.

It is vitally important we continue to plan and build environments that ensure individuals have the right skills to move our country forward, as we start to forge new alliances in the world of trade deals and make the most of the UK’s position in digital manufacturing and ‘green’ technologies.

The Conservative manifesto talks about a £3bn National Skills Fund that will provide match funding for SMEs and individuals, and this is something we cautiously welcome. Yet, as always, the devil is in the detail, and we need to ensure whatever additional money that comes into training and skills is channelled in the right way and should be led by employers. This approach would avoid the type of issues that have held the Apprenticeship Levy back.

A major cash boost for college estates has also been mentioned and, whilst this is good news, on the whole, we should not forget the role private sector training providers play in delivering skills provision and engaging with business.

Working with local companies, we have invested £7.5m into our three Technical Academies in the Black Country and Shropshire, and these are really reaping dividends, creating a strong pipeline of apprentices that meet the region’s skills needs.

We believe this is the blueprint on how training - both apprenticeships and upskilling courses should be delivered in this new world we find ourselves in. Business has been stagnating for too long whilst we’ve waited to get an outcome with Brexit…now is the time to be positive and forge ahead with plans for the future."

In-Comm Training lands major apprenticeship contract with Lander Automotive

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 26/07/2022

A leading independent training provider is celebrating winning its largest apprenticeship contract in years after signing a major deal with Lander Tubular Products.

In-Comm Training, which operates three state-of-the-art technical academies across the Black Country and Shropshire, has become the strategic training partner for the supplier of precision engineered metallic and plastic manipulated pipe assemblies for the automotive, commercial vehicle and off-highway sectors.

Forty Level 2 apprentices in Lean Manufacturing Operations will be recruited over the next six months in a bid to develop a future talent pool that can help the manufacturer meet a rapidly growing order book.

The new relationship will cover all recruitment and selection, advice on tapping into funding, induction process and delivery of training, with In-Comm trainers and assessors set to be permanently based at Lander Tubular Products’ internal academy at its Woodgate Business Park factory in Birmingham.

“This is a major milestone for our business, and we’re delighted that another high-profile industrial specialist has chosen to adopt our employer-led approach to apprenticeships and training in general,” explained Paul Hodgetts, Business Development Manager at In-Comm Training.

“The tender process was over a three-month period, involved six providers and numerous visits to each other’s locations. We were able to listen, understand exactly what the firm needed and then put together a flexible learning package that obviously appealed to the management team here.”

He continued: “Everything kicks off in September with a cohort of 15, then this is followed a month later with 10 more apprentices and the final 15 need to be in place by December. So, the message for young people and mature learners looking for a career change is simple – there’s the potential for high quality jobs with a world class automotive supplier, get in touch!”

With over 140 year’s history, Lander Tubular Products is a leading manufacturer of precision engineered metallic and plastic manipulated tubular products for the automotive, off-highway, and industrial sectors.

The company, which has three manufacturing sites in the UK and a further two production facilities in the USA, has a long history of delivering award-winning apprenticeship programmes.

Its product range covers multiple applications for the transfer of fluids or air, and tubular structural products for a broad range of major OEM and tier one customers.

Growing its own staff has always been a priority and this new contract marks the next phase of its workforce development, with pathways being created so that individuals can work all the way towards Technical Apprenticeships, a Degree in Engineering and Manufacturing and upskilling opportunities in continuous improvement, quality and leadership & management.

Anita Davenport-Brooks, Group HR Manager, added her support: “We’ve known about In-Comm for some time and were really impressed with the way they took the time to listen and tailor the approach to suit exactly what we need.

“The course will give every apprentice core manufacturing skills, as well as developing softer ones and encouraging the right behaviours to fit our culture. All the training will be completed at our factory, which will give us great flexibility when balancing shopfloor demand.

“I’m also keen to look at how we can work together to shape new Apprenticeship qualifications that are currently missing in industry. One example, is early discussions about creating a Level 3 Technical Operator course that could be the next step for our apprentices.”

She concluded: “Vocational learning is so important for us and, next year, the plan is to recruit up to 100 apprentices. Working with In-Comm Training will save over £200,000 on recruitment costs alone in 2022 and that does not take into account the bottom line benefits our learners will deliver to our three businesses across the Midlands.

“Several of our senior team and middle managers all started with an apprenticeship and are now critical to our future success.”

Lander Tubular Products, which was recently named as the number one company in the Top 50 SME Apprentice Employers Rankings by the National Apprenticeship Service, will also tap into other services offered by In-Comm Training.

This includes upskilling courses, health and safety consultancy and lobbying, with Anita already taking her place on the training provider’s new Skills Steering Group.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk/www.lander.co.uk or follow @incomm_training and @landerautomotiv on twitter

Is training on your agenda for 2015?

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 12/01/2015

The In-Comm partnership offers a range of world class-leading services to Industry, Commerce & Learners.

In-Comm have over three decades of experience in the design and delivery of Training, Skills & Consultancy programmes to suit the cultures of the sectors we work within.

Our Training Academy is equipped with industry standard equipment enabling us to teach up to date processes and techniques. Our team of industry experienced professionals ensures In-Comm creates innovative, lifelong Engineers with a true passion for the sector.

Whether you are an owner managed company looking to develop your workforce/organisation, a multi-national company looking for a partner who offers customised training programmes or a person looking for a career/apprenticeship in the Engineering Manufacturing sector, our team of highly competent specialists are here to help.

For a full list of courses available for 2015 download our brochure or call our enquiries team on 01922 457686

Companies back apprenticeship investment as In-Comm announces 23 new apprentices

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 05/08/2020

Employers are still investing in apprentices despite the pandemic according to a leading West Midlands training provider.

In-Comm Training, which operates three technical academies across the Black Country and Shropshire, has just released 23 new vacancies for young people and mature workers looking to train in administration, operations or various disciplines of engineering.

Apprenticeships range from toolmaking, lean manufacturing and welding to admin, engineering, warehousing and machinists, with some providing a clear pathway all the way to a degree.

The recruitment drive has been launched after 10 employers from across the region pledged their commitment to developing the next generation of workers, including Cedo, Gotronic and SMB Pressings.

Bekki Phillips, Managing Director of In-Comm Training explained: “This is very welcome news, what with all the job cuts being announced and Covid-19 causing uncertainty across numerous sectors.

“I think it shows us that companies are still prepared to invest in growing their own staff and the value apprentices can bring to businesses. In fact, many of them have been long-term supporters and want to continue to invest in skills despite the pandemic.”

She continued: “We’re expecting the 23 vacancies to be snapped up quickly and the good news is that all of our academies are back open and Covid-19 secure. This means we can offer the same high-quality practical experience we’re recognised for, as well as virtual lessons on theory, making sure apprentices get the best all-round start to their training.”

In-Comm Training, which is also recruiting for three Engineering Tutors, has been asking employers in the West Midlands to back its Skills Pledge, which invites them to commit to supporting apprentices, raising the profile of vocational learning and ‘upskilling’ their workforces.

‘Powering the Engine’ campaign will last for over a year and will ensure the business world does not sacrifice the investment and time it has channelled into developing the talent they are going to desperately need to help reignite the economy.

It has been a plea that has been embraced by local firms, with more than 40 taking the pledge and these include Brandauer, Glassworks Hounsell, Epwin and SDE Technology.

Bekki concluded: “Covid-19 turned the training world upside down, but together we managed to get in place virtual learning platforms, career launchpad webinars and, through Zoom/Teams, keep in touch with existing and potential customers.

“The message we are getting loud and clear is that a skilled workforce that can adapt is crucial to the recovery and we’re here to make sure this happens.”

In-Comm Training has spent more than £7m on creating three state-of-the-art academies in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, featuring IT Suites, CNC machining zones, fluid power departments, metrology rooms, over 25 welding bays and a specialist heritage engineering cell.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

£3m training centre boosts skills levels for West Midlands manufacturers

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 02/04/2018

Efforts to improve the skills and competency levels of workers in the West Midlands has received a major boost following a £3m investment in new facilities by training provider In-Comm.

The company has expanded facilities at its base in Vigo Place, Aldridge to create a dedicated 21,000 sq ft Training Academy.

The new facility is a true employer-led collaboration with no fewer than 12 manufacturers contributing investment, expertise and input into its development by identifying what their specific needs were.

Supporters have included ABB Robotics, Blum-Novotest, Engineering Technology Group, Hexagon Metrology, Houghton, Hyfore, IMI Norgren (Precision Engineering), Mitsubishi EDM and Zwick Roell.

It has also benefited from support from the Black Country Local Enterprise Partnership, which has backed the centre with £733,000 of Growth Deal funding.

The Technical Academy is equipped with world class CNC machine tools, automation, a robotics line, metrology, fluid power stations and a dedicated electrical and electronics section.

It will also house material testing, material handling and grinding capabilities, as well as a 16-seat Mastercam and CIMCO CAD/Cam studio to help students develop their design for manufacturing skills.

Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training, said: This is a transformational project for the region and will ensure SME manufacturers have the capabilities and skills to remain competitive.

The investment will create an additional 420 Trailblazer Apprenticeship places between now and 2022, whilst also providing 1,250 advanced learning opportunities. And this isnt basic training; this is training that will explore automation, prototyping, R&D, operational excellence and real-time data analysis.

This facility will help SMEs gain access to application engineers and state-of-the-art technology, which will allow them to product develop and process map prior to installing manufacturing cells into their factories. Its the future of skills provision.

The new academy will support the already-successful work being carried out by In-Comm, which has seen it buck the UK trend in declining apprenticeship levels.

While there has been a 61% decline nationally in apprenticeship levels, In-Comm has seen a 40% increase in its own numbers.

Achievement levels are also high with 87% of In-Comms apprentices hitting the mark, against 68% nationally.

The company has also received an Ofsted Outstanding rating for its training.

It is also playing a key role in service delivery at the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT), the new training hub in Bridgnorth led by Classic Motor Cars, Grainger & Worrall and Salop Design & Engineering.

In-Comm Training lands major ‘Education Business Partnership’ Award

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 21/11/2018

Finding a way to leverage the best of industry and academia has helped In-Comm Training secure one of the region’s most prestigious business titles.

The company, which supports more than 500 apprentices every year, was named as the winner of the Black Country Chamber of Commerce’s Education and Partnership Award, sponsored by the University of Wolverhampton.

More than 300 people at Wolverhampton Racecourse heard how the Aldridge firm had managed to create three state-of-the-art training facilities by leveraging the technology and expertise of more than 20 local employers.

It had also hit the headlines for its work in creating the Training & Manufacturing Group, which involves 11 technical partners – including the Engineering Technology Group, Guhring and WNT Ceratizit - sharing their knowledge with the UK’s SME manufacturing base.

Gareth Jones, Joint Managing Director of In-Comm Training, said: “Our whole approach is about being employer-led and that’s what tends to differentiate us from other training providers.

“This award recognises the efforts of our staff and the great strides we have taken in making sure education and business is more closely aligned, so that companies get the employees they need and young people have access to skills that they will actually use in the workplace.”

He continued: “It’s just the start. We’ve got lots of work to do and this was underlined recently when we launched the ECMS’ new National Press and Tooling Centre at Aldridge to help meet major competency gaps in toolmaking.”

In-Comm Training, which was recognised by Ofsted as ‘Outstanding, operates three technical Academies at Aldridge and, under the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) banner, at Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury.

Birmingham engineer takes the main prize at In-Comm Training Awards

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 11/06/2019

A budding engineer from Birmingham has secured the main prize at this year’s In-Comm Training Awards after helping his firm secure a game-changing contract.

Adam Burgoyne, who is a New Product Engineer at metal pressings and stamping specialist Brandauer, was named as the ‘Outstanding Apprentice of the Year’ after earlier picking up the title of ‘Learner of the Year for Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies’.

The double-haul marks the 21-year-old’s impressive development and his role in helping to identify the measurement equipment required to secure the company’s first ever pharma contract for the Middle East - a project that could be worth in excess of £1m annually.

He was joined on stage by his colleague James Arnold, who impressed judges with his maturity and determination to drive sales at sister business CB Cable Clips to take the ‘Learner of the Year - Business Support Award’.

Employer of the Year was won by Black Country’s Fablink UK, a specialist manufacturer of metal pressings, operator cab assemblies, fuel and hydraulic tanks and complex structures.

The Wolverhampton-based firm, which also has facilities in Northampton and Darlington, currently employs 20 apprentices - making up 5% of its permanent workforce.

It works tirelessly to promote vocational learning in schools and has introduced a new Senior Manager apprenticeship programme to help it highlight the career progression available for people joining the business.

Bekki Phillips, joint Managing Director at In-Comm Training, commented: “There has been a lot of negativity surrounding Apprenticeships this year, with the national media quick to put the proverbial boot into the Levy and how it is failing employers across the UK.

“Talk of the number of ‘starts’ being down and large businesses turning the back on vocational training have dominated the headlines, but that’s only part of the story and last week we had the opportunity to tell the other half.

“The annual In-Comm Training Awards provides a fantastic platform to even the playing field and inform people about the amazing things that are happening in the West Midlands and highlight the companies that deliver anything from outstanding professional services advice to those making components that help drive the latest aircraft, cars and medical innovations.”

She continued: “We recognised and celebrated the best of the region’s vocational talent… the stars of business and industry and, more than likely, the business leaders of the future that are helping their employers work smarter, launch new products and services and, importantly, increase sales.”

Other winners at the In-Comm Awards 2019 included:

Learner of the Year – Management & Leadership: Adam Strong (Top Tubes)
Learner of the Year – Continuous Improvement: Jade Higgins (FBC Manby Bowdler)
Learner of the Year AMTC (MCMT): Tyler Cadwallader (Bridgnorth Aluminium)
Apprentice Ambassador of the Year – David Latham (Liberty Pressings)

Most Improved Learner – Ryan Lenton-Kane (IMI Precision Engineering)

Headline sponsor for the event was the Engineering Technology Group (ETG), one of the UK’s leading machine tools suppliers. Chloe Reeve, Technical Co-ordinator and former apprentice, was one of the judges for this year’s competition.

“I’m very passionate about the importance of vocational learning and ensuring more young people see it as a credible alternative to going to University, giving them the same career progression and opportunity to study towards a degree.

“The quality of entries just keeps getting better and better and the winners, highly commended and nominees are exactly the type of ambassadors we need to put apprentices on the map through tales of boosting sales, introducing money-saving processes and, importantly, acting as role models for the next generation.”

She concluded: “It can be hard to find the right fit when you are first starting out in engineering. However, getting to know each department - as you would in an apprenticeship - provides that extra bit of information and experience. It also gives you a feel of real life and the potential for your future development.”

Over 300 people attended the In-Comm Training Awards, held for the second time at the ICC in Birmingham.

Guests were given an insight into the latest developments at In-Comm Training, before being entertained by West Midlands historian Professor Carl Chinn.

Sponsors for the evening included Black Country Chamber of Commerce, Elite Centre for Manufacturing Skills, FBC Manby Bowdler, In-Comm Training & Manufacturing Group, Made in the Midlands, MTD CNC, MyWorkwear, Rational FX and Wieland.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

Your Invitation to the In-Comm/RBS Golf Day - Nov 6th

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 15/10/2015

Calling all manufacturers and engineers.

We have organised a golf day in association with RBS and wed like to invite you to join us.

It takes place at the Astbury in Chelmarsh which was the first golf course designed by legendary Rock Star KK Downing and is the home of 2016 Ryder Cup Captain Darren Clarke OBE.

It tees off on Friday 6th November 2015.

08.45 arrival for registration, breakfast sandwiches, tea & coffee

09.30 for the first tee

Team and individual prizes will be awarded at a two course meal and presentation after the days play.

Dress code: Jacket and tie for dinner.

We are delighted that RBS has supplied the following prizes:

A tube of 3 RBS branded balls for each player + tees
Titleist locker bag for the winner
4 x Jack Nicklaus Polo Shirts for the winning team
Lanson Black Label Champagne for the longest drive and nearest the pin.

If you would like to join us on the day email Gareth or call on 01922 457686 by Friday 30th October.

In-Comm Training named ‘Training Provider of the Year’ at the Ladder for the Black Country Awards

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 27/11/2023

A company that supports more than 700 apprentices every year has been recognised as the
‘best’ in its field.
In-Comm Training, which operates two Technical Academies in Aldridge and Telford, was
named as the ‘Training Provider of the Year’ at the prestigious Ladder for the Black Country
Awards.
More than 250 people crammed into Walsall Football Club to celebrate the stars of
vocational learning, with the family-run firm overcoming strong competition to impress judges
with its £10m investment strategy and its recent record-breaking 199 apprentice cohort
intake.
The launch of the UK’s first ever Precision Tooling Academy was also praised, especially in
the way it has worked with stamping specialist Brandauer to create a real-world commercial
tool room to train the toolmakers of the future.
Bekki Phillips, Chief Operating Officer of In-Comm Training, commented: “These awards are
vital in raising the profile of apprenticeships and for promoting why they are vital to business,
young people and mature learners.
“To win the Training Provider of the Year caps what will be a record year for our company
and underlines that our employer-led approach to training and apprentices is working. We’re
trying to push the boundaries of delivery, but we can’t do that without our amazing people
and firms that are willing to innovate to bridge the skills gap.”
The Ladder for the Black offers a collaborative, joined-up approach to improving skills and
enrichment opportunities for all, particularly for the young and disadvantaged.
Backed by the Express & Star, the organisation links up employers, training providers and
candidates to give everyone the best chance of success in upskilling and employment.
Bekki went on to add: “Another success story is how we have forged strategic relationships
with several major OEMs and tier1s.
In addition to partnerships with JLR, RBSL and Marston’s, we have also joined forces with
automotive giant Gestamp to launch a dedicated training centre at its new £50m
Wolverhampton plant this year.
“This will be used to deliver Lean Manufacturing Apprenticeships for 60 team members
every year, as well as other development activities. We’re hopefully providing the blueprint
for other providers to follow.”

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow
@incomm_training on twitter

In-Comm F/T and P/T Engineering Packages - Limited places available

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 21/07/2015

We have limited spaces available for our apprentice engineering packages available in August and September.

Health & Safety:

IOSH - Managing Safety
Power Press Regulations (novice/refresher)

Technical Development:

Basic Hydraulics
Basic Pneumatics
Fluid Power Electronics Controls
Programmable Logic Controls (PLC)

To find out more about the content or to book call Gemma on 01922 457686.

TMG Open House: Automotive Technologies

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 15/10/2018

The latest technologies supporting the automotive sector will be on show at the Marches Centre of Manufacturing and Technology (MCMT) on Thursday 13th December.

In-Comm Training and Manufacturing Group (TMG), in collaboration with our technical partners, would like to invite you to experience a range of world-class technologies alongside our guest speaker from the industry and business support seminars.

Guest speaker, James Grainger, Executive Director and owner of Grainger and Worrall and MIA Vice Chair will be discussing the changing landscape of the automotive sector. The event will also include a workshop tour of Classic Motor Cars (CMC).

James Grainger is an Executive Director and owner of Grainger and Worrall [GW], a UK headquartered engineering business specialising in high integrity casting for the motorsport, prestige vehicle, aerospace and defence industries. Customers include (for example) the F1 teams, McLaren, Porsche, Aston Martin, and increasingly GW plays an important role in the EV market with the supply of lightweight and high strength chassis components, battery trays, and transmission technologies. 55% of GW’s business goes to export, with particular focus on Europe, N.America and China. GW employs 700 people with annual sales of some $85m.

James is also the Vice Chair of the Motorsport Industry Association, the world’s leading trade association for motorsport and high performance engineering services.

To register visit https://tmgopenhouseautotech.eventbrite.co.uk

Closing gap will boost productivity

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 04/01/2017

Gareth Jones of In-Comm Training and Business Services feels firms should be paying greater attention to bridging the competency gap if they are going to develop the next generation of employees.

The Black Country-born managing director has cited the importance of showing young people how the skills and knowledge they are learning can be applied on the shop floor and the only way they can do that is to ensure they have access to industry experience.

All we constantly hear about is bridging the skills gap and, whilst we should start there, we should be ensuring they go on to the next level.

There is no substitute for showing apprentices how the attributes they are gaining can be used to improve efficiencies, come up with new solutions or meet Just-in-Time deliveries, explained Mr Jones.

And that is where experienced trainers come into their own, trainers who have been experts in their field and want to pass some of that knowledge, experience and common sense down to the next generation.

He continued: We have just recruited another three trainers to help with expansion at our academies in the Black Country and Shropshire and this takes us up to 18. Between them, they have over 330 years experience of working across every manufacturing sector imaginable, from automotive and aerospace to food and pharmaceutical.

They cover all of the main competence gaps in industry, with specialists in maintenance, quality, production, health and safety and management systems.

2016 was a major year of growth for In-Comm, with more than £700,000 invested into its academies in Aldridge and Shrewsbury so that it can support more than 450 learners to complete Intermediate, Advanced and Higher qualifications.

The money has been channelled into equipping the workshops with new lathes and milling machines, CNC capabilities, a new electrical section and an increased number of MIG/TIG/MAA welding stations.

Two new CAD design centres have been created, including the integration of the latest CAD/CAM software.

Mr Jones went on to add: We are playing an integral role in roll-out of the new Marches Centre for Manufacturing Technology (MCMT) in Bridgnorth, a more than £3 million project that has been supported by the Marches Local Enterprise Partnership and will cater for over 2020 apprentices and learners by 2020.

This is a really bold step and one that brings together a consortium of partners including ourselves, Grainger & Worrall, Classic Motor Cars and Salop Design & Engineering.

The LEP listened to what employers wanted and, through the Government Skills Capital Initiative, are letting us drive the provision.

It has the potential to bridge the competency gap that so much of industry is simply not paying attention to.

In-Comm Training named ‘Apprenticeship Provider of the Year’

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 10/04/2019

A unique employer-led approach to vocational learning has helped Black Country training provider, In-Comm Training secure one of the UK’s most prestigious training awards.

In-Comm Training, which operates three state-of-the-art academies in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, overcame competition from more than 350 rivals to secure the Apprenticeship Provider of the Year title at a glittering finale held by FE Week and the Association of Employment and Learning Providers.

The high-profile judging panel praised the firm for the way that it has placed businesses at the heart of its approach, using the expertise, knowledge and requirements of engineering and manufacturing companies to shape the way courses are delivered and the technology it invests in.

This has seen it work with more than 450 different businesses across the UK and contributed to an impressive 40 per cent uptake in starts over the last twelve months - all achieved in the face of a downward trend in apprenticeship engagement.

Gareth Jones, joint Managing Director at In-Comm Training, commented: “We know that our approach is different, but to have it recognised on a national scale, against companies ten times our size, is a tremendous achievement.

“It really makes a difference and underlines that what we are doing is working and, importantly, recognises the efforts of our staff - many of whom have spent years working in industry before making the switch to a trainer.”

In-Comm Training, which is rated as ‘Outstanding’ by Ofsted, has masterminded £7m of investment in its three academies, offering over 40,000 sq ft of dedicated manufacturing training space, including the latest CNC machine tools, automation, robotics, metrology solutions and 3D printing.

This is reinforced by access to industry-experienced trainers and 11 technical partners, who include Blum-Novotest, Ceratizit WNT, Engineering Technology Group, Guhring, Hexagon, HK3D and Hyfore Workholding.

It currently has over 280 apprenticeship positions vacant and these are for part and full-time trailblazer courses with a job at a local manufacturer guaranteed at the end of it.

Bekki Phillips, joint Managing Director, concluded: “Being named as the National Apprenticeship Training Provider of the year is great for raising the In-Comm brand and we will use the accolade to help us take our employer-led model to other regions across the UK.”

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

In-Comm Training will be amongst the hundreds of members exhibiting at this year's Made in the Midlands Expo, which takes place at the Ricoh Arena in Coventry on June 20. To join them, register for tickets by clicking on the banner below and don't forget that for more details on the event, visit our new website - www.madeinthemidlandsexpo.co.uk

Up & Coming Courses

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 20/02/2014

ARC & MIG Welding - Various
FMEA Course - 20th
IOSH Working Safely - 12th
Team Leader Award - 4th/11th/18th/25th
Preparing To Teach (PTTLS) - Various
Power Press - 31st

Pneumatics -20th/21st
Forklift & Reach Truck-Various
First Aid Courses-Various

Midlands engineering stars recognised for their commitment to learning

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 07/07/2014

The achievements of some of the best young apprentices and adult learners in the West Midlands were in the spotlight recently when the In-Comm Training Annual Awards came to a glittering finale.

More than 250 people packed into the Bescot Stadium in Walsall to recognise 10rising stars of engineering and manufacturing that are helping local companies drive the economic recovery.

Taking the main plaudits on the night was Michael George, who was named as The Peter Wood Memorial Award for Outstanding Learner of the Year after impressing bosses at Wolverhampton-based Fellows Ltd.

The Advanced Apprentice is a vital part of the team, demonstrating a thirst for learning new industry techniques and applying them to solving shopfloor issues on a daily basis.

He was joined on stage by double winner Marcus Thomas of Truflo Marine Valves, who received Apprentice of the Year (Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies) and Most Improved Apprentice of the Year sponsored by the Darlaston Rotary Club.

It is extremely important that we continue to raise the profile of vocational learning and give it the same profile as other educational routes our awards play a small role in achieving this, explained Rebecca Phillips of In-Comm Training and Business Services.

We are committed to developing the next generation of workers and also helping existing engineers improve their skills so they can tackle new challenges and seek promotion.

She continued: These accolades are designed to promote the achievements of individuals who are striving to be the best they can be and the importance of Apprenticeships in making this happen and giving companies the skills they need to compete.

Made in the Midlands sponsored Apprentice of the Year Business Support category which was won by Hannah Williams at Rugeley based CPE GB.

Guests at the In-Comm Annual Awards were treated to keynote speeches from Truflo Marine Valves and Moog Aircraft Group, the latter detailing how Andrew Hughes had risen from an Apprentice to Director of Programmesat just 32 years-old, now helping China deliver its first significant commercial aircraft.

Other winners on the evening included:

Tina Hawthorn (Sirus Automotive): Adult Learner of the Year - Business Support

KhaledMiah (Metsec): Learner of the Year Intermediate Supervisory Management

Gary Drohan (Merseyside Galvanising): Learner of the Year Advanced Supervisory Management

Anne Churchwood (Moog Aircraft Group): Learner of the Year Business Improvement Techniques

Jake Edwards (B Mason & Sons) Adult Learner of the Year Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies

Liam Dixon (Norgren): Apprentice of the Year Intermediate Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies

Lewis Ward (SulzerDowding & Mills): Apprentice of the Year Advanced Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies

Keri Whaley (Sirus Automotive) Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year

AlphaDrive Engineering Services Employer of the Year

Rebecca continued: The Awards are only made possible by some great organisations sponsoring the different categories. These include Bradken, Charter Automotive, City of Wolverhampton College, Made in the Midlands, Polymer Training & Innovation Centre, Rical Group, Salop Design and Engineering and Wedge Group.

In-Comm has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for over 31 years.

The firm has a proven track record of developing Engineering Apprentices through its range of specialist packages, starting with Bronze (delivered at the clients premises) and culminating with Platinum, which involves 5 days training at its workshop and machining academy.

For further information, please contact Gareth Jones on 01922 457686 or visit www.in-comm.co.uk. You can also follow them on facebook and twitter at @incomm_training

IMAGE: MIM Director Charles Addison presents Hannah Williams with her Apprentice of the Year award.

In-Comm helps Moog deliver £1.5m landmark training programme

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 17/01/2014

One of the UKs leading aerospace manufacturers has joined forces with a Black Country training specialist to deliver one of the biggest training programmes seen in the region this year.

Moog, which produces components for flight control systems supplied to Airbus, Boeing and Lockheed Martin amongst others, is working with In-Comm Training and Business Services to put over a quarter of its total workforce through specialist Business Improvement Techniques (BIT) courses.

The I54-based company is investing nearly £1.5m in the training, which will see 130 of its staff - from all areas of the business develop new skills in continuous improvement, QCD (quality cost and delivery) performance, shop floor efficiency and the latest lean manufacturing principles.

The contract, which will run until 2015, will help the manufacturer improve the workflow of its manufacturing cells, achieve required cost downs and free up capacity so it can compete for new contracts in the global aerospace market.

People are at the heart of the Moog philosophy and we invest heavily in developing the skills of our 420 workers in Wolverhampton, explained Douglas Allen, Value Stream Manager.

This latest project with In-Comm will be our biggest yet and underlines our commitment to quality and delivering world class manufacturing performance to our blue chip clients.

He continued: The training is about instilling the right culture in our staff and making them think about how their individual roles impact on the business and what they can do in order to make a positive difference.

There is no doubt offering these type of opportunities helps with staff retention and we firmly believe that the improvement projects we are undertaking will deliver £millions of cost savings through improved workflow and reduced inventory.

Three specialists from In-Comm will provide the on-site training, working with groups of between 10 and 12 staff on securing either a NVQ Level 2 or 3 in

Vocational learning in the spotlight as the West Midlands best apprentices revealed

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 22/05/2017

The future stars of engineering, manufacturing and professional services were recognised last week at the annual In-Comm Training Awards.

Tricrests Daleep Bhogal stole the show after being named as the Peter Wood Outstanding Learner of the Year in front of over 350 people at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton

The trainee toolmaker, who will now spend a week Chrion in Germany as part of his prize, impressed judges with his thirst for continuous improvement and how far he has developed over the last twelve months.

He was joined on stage by five other apprentices, including FBC Manby Bowdlers Dixie Whitten, Brandauers Oliver Eskriett, Lee Matthews (RMD Kwikform), Morgan Goule (Beacon Mouldings) and Tom Weaver of Frank Dudley Ltd.

There was also recognition for Lee Pearson of Salop Design for his Contribution to Engineering, with Lichfields IMI Precision Engineering beating off competition from 20 firms to land the Company of the Year title.

Vocational learning is finally being given the recognition it deserves and this years awards again highlighted the outstanding talent we are developing in the West Midlands, explained Rebecca Phillips, joint Managing Director of In-Comm Training.

We had over 250 entries this year, covering all aspects of engineering, manufacturing, business support and professional services. There were some fantastic stories of personal development, triumph over adversity and individuals starting to achieve their career ambitions.

She continued: It is also important to underline how important the role employers play in all of this. Without the companies investing time and money into creating the next generation of staff, the skills gap would be a lot wider.

The In-Comm Training Awards, which are now in their sixth year, was backed by main sponsor Engineering Technology Group and other sponsors FBC Manby Bowdler, John Winter, Made in the Midlands, Mason, Moore Stephens, Royal Bank of Scotland and Stechford Mouldings.

An industry-led judging panel was responsible for choosing the eventual winners, with the prizes given out by music legend and railway enthusiast Pete Waterman OBE.

Gareth Jones, Joint Managing Director, concluded: The introduction of the Apprenticeship Levy gives employers a great opportunity to shape the training provision they need, creating the skills and future employees theyre going to require to grow and succeed.

Next years Awards will recognise this fact and will be heavily influenced by the trailblazers that are currently being designed.

Full list of 2017 winners, includes:

Daleep Bhogal (Tricrest Limited) In-Comm Academy Learner of the Year and Peter Wood Memorial Award Outstanding Learner of the Year

Oliver Eskriett (Brandauer) Learner of the Year Engineering Manufacturing & Technologies

Maurice Hill (Lariot) Learner of the Year Business Improvement Techniques

Dixie Whitten (FBC Manby Bowdler) Learner of the Year Business Support

Lee Matthews (RMD Kwikform) Learner of the Year Supervisory Management

Lee Pearson (Salop Design & Engineering) Contribution to Engineering

IMI Precision Employer of the Year

Tom Weaver (Frank Dudley Limited) Special Recognition Award

Morgan Goule (Beacon Mouldings) Most Improved Learner

In-Comm Training chosen to help deliver new Apprenticeship Levy Transfer fund

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 15/10/2019

In-Comm Training has been named as one of the training providers for a new skills fund launched by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

The Aldridge-based firm, which operates three technical academies in the Black Country and Shropshire, will be galvanising SMEs and larger firms to make the most of unspent Levy money currently available in the region.

The aim is to encourage employers to take on more young people in advanced manufacturing, digital skills and STEM-related apprenticeships as the area looks to cement its position as a global leader in engineering.

In-Comm Training’s employer-led approach to skills was one of the main reasons it has been chosen, with its team of expert advisers and trainers now responsible for supporting potential users of the fund to meet the criteria and recruit the right young people.

Bekki Phillips, Managing Director at In-Comm Training, commented: “Any new programme that encourages greater adoption of vocational learning is welcomed, especially one that specifically targets STEM courses.

“We have to raise the region’s productivity and using unspent Levy money to offer apprenticeships to 16-18 year-olds is a great, long-term way of ensuring we are growing our workforces of the future.”

She continued: “More than 146 standards are available, covering science, technology, engineering, manufacturing, construction and digital - all the skills we are going to need if we are going to exploit the UK’s strengths.

“The new fund will essentially remove the 5% fee that SMEs normally have to pay to take on an apprentice, making it easier to invest in young people.”

The West Midlands Combined Authority covers a population of 4.2 million across Greater Birmingham and Solihull, the Black Country, Coventry and Warwickshire and the Marches LEPs.

In-Comm Training’s proven track record in delivering apprenticeships, combined with a £7m investment in its three academies in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, has given it the perfect platform to be a crucial partner to the Apprenticeship Levy Transfer Fund.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

‘Outstanding’ In-Comm given Ofsted seal of approval

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 11/04/2017

A West Midlands private training provider has been given a resounding seal of approval by Ofsted following its latest inspection.

In-Comm Training, which operates academies in Aldridge and Shrewsbury, has been rated Outstanding across all areas of the business, one of just three organisations in the Black Country to achieve this and putting it in the top 12% of providers across the UK.

The Grade One verdict recognises that apprentices achieve outstanding qualifications that help prepare them for promotion and their future career, that leaners achieve high levels of Maths, English and IT and most budding engineers secure high grades in their technical training.

Inspectors were also impressed with the rigorous governance arrangements in place and the quality and experience of the trainers, who support learners in their rapid progression.

To secure Outstanding rating from Ofsted is a fantastic achievement for everyone connected with the businessour management team, our trainers, our partners and, importantly, the 400+ apprentices and learners we support every year, explained Gareth Jones, joint Managing Director at In-Comm Training.

Over the last three years, we have worked tirelessly to raise the profile of vocational learning, in order to meet the acknowledged skills gap and have put in place a number of ambitious plans to make sure we are seen as an outstanding provider.

He went on to add: This includes employing the best staff and investing more than £1m in the latest workshop equipment, including new CNC capabilities, millers, lathes, welding bays, a fluid power section and CAD suite. Ofsteds Outstanding rating reinforces that what we are doing is working.

In-Comm, which received a Good inspection in 2015, has also been praised for the work it is doing with industry to help it bridge the skills gap and to ensure companies are achieving their strategic aims by having access to skilled people.

Inspectors cited that employers play a significant role in planning and delivering high-quality apprenticeship programmes and that leaders and managers are highly responsive in meeting the skills needs of the region.

Bekki Phillips, joint Managing Director, continued: We spent a lot of time working with firms in our area and they all told us that they would invest more in training if it gave them future employees ready for work.

Our Improvement Planning from the previous Ofsted inspection was key to achieving this and focused on learners developing their skills rapidly to ensure they were ready to undertake the significant responsibility required by employers.

She went on to add: Once we had this approach finalised, we threw down the gauntlet to a number of key partners and the first success came when Salop Design & Engineering agreed to join forces with us on ITAS, a new academy supporting 40 learners in Shrewsbury.

More recently, we have played a key role in shaping the £3m Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) in Bridgnorth, alongside Salop, Classic Motor Cars and Grainger & Worrall. This venture will create 2020 learning opportunities between now and 2020.

Thats not all. Were also about to launch a series of nationwide advanced technical academies in partnership with a leading CNC machine supplier.

In-Comm has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for 35 years.

The firm has a proven track record as a specialist engineering training academy, developing engineering apprentices skilled for the needs of the employer base through its range of specialist packages.

Other areas of training and development cover topics, such as management development, health and safety, quality assurance, business improvement techniques, lean manufacturing, business support and specialist skills courses.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

First 68 apprenticeship places now available at £3m Shropshire training hub

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 14/06/2017

68 apprenticeship places are up for grabs later this month when Shropshires newest training hub holds a major Summer Event.

Young people, parents and businesses are being encouraged to attend the showcase, which will mark 60 days before the official opening of the £3m Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT), a state-of-the-art hub that will support 2020 learners by 2020.

Led by employers Grainger & Worrall, Classic Motor Cars, Salop Design & Engineering and training specialist In-Comm, the centre will provide the county with access to over 65,000 sq ft of engineering and manufacturing space and will be equipped with technology that will ensure apprentices are industry-ready when they leave.

The event, due to be held on June 30^th between 1pm-6pm, will give visitors an exclusive opportunity to gain a sneak-peak at the development of the MCMT, a virtual tour of the different technology zones and a chance to meet key members of the team.

There will also be the chance for young people to sign-up to be part of the first cohort of apprentices available in courses ranging from maintenance engineering, business improvement and welding, to automotive, electrical, engineering design and mechanical engineering.

We are continually told there is a skills shortage in the region and this is holding companies backwell now is the time to stop talking about it and actually embrace a bold and ambitious vision to bridge that gap, explained Matthew Snelson, Managing Director of MCMT.

The Summer Event will see us throw open our doors so people can see how construction and the fit-out is going and we should be able to unveil the striking frontage of the training school.

He continued: Our trainers will also be on hand to go through the details of the courses, what is involved, the new technology you will be learning on and how this can lead to career progression and even a degree the latter without the debt that conventionally goes with it.

A lot of employers are already backing the MCMT and a large number of apprenticeship places currently available will be linked to companies so you have ready-made jobs.

The Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology has received £1.9m of Government Growth Deal funding via the Marches LEP to bring the concept into reality, with £1.1m of private funding already pledged.

It will provide a high-tech environment for individuals to learn from engineering experts on the latest technology all geared towards giving them opportunities to apply their new found skills on real life manufacturing situations.

Located on The Stanmore Industrial Estate in Bridgnorth, the MCMT will house dedicated fabrication, foundry, lathe, metrology, milling, robotics and vehicle trimming sections, as well as a specialist CNC Zone and spray booth/mixing capabilities.

There will also be an auditorium lecture theatre, bespoke learning environments, 5 vehicle ramps and a rolling road test facility.

Matthew concluded: We are just finalising the technology that will be installed and ready for action when we launch in September. Its an exciting list so far and will be far more advanced than anything current available in the county.

For instance, there will be 30 manual lathes and milling centres, a Laser Roamer arm for metrology, Hardinge Bridgeport CNC Centres, Halter Automation Robotics Line and testing machines. This is just a snapshot; the full capability will be announced shortly.

For further information, please visit www.mcmt.co.uk or follow @marchescentre on twitter.

Careers Launchpad’ webinars to help get young people into work

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 16/06/2020

A series of webinars to help young people find new job opportunities is being launched by one of the UK’s leading training providers.

In-Comm Training, which supports over 2500 people with vocational learning and upskilling courses every year, will host its first ‘Careers Launchpad’ virtual event on June 17^th (3pm) and is urging school leavers to sign-up.

The interactive webinar will explore the journey of embarking on an apprenticeship and the 40 different Trailblazer courses currently available, covering anything from engineering, manufacturing and logistics to mechatronics, administration and welding.

For the first time ever, there will also be an exclusive virtual tour around the firm’s £3m state-of-the-art Training Academy in Aldridge, featuring a dedicated CNC machining zone, the latest metrology technology and an industry-leading fluid power department that young people will train on.

Jayne Guest, Apprenticeship Engagement Manager at In-Comm Training, commented: “Despite the dramatic economic impact of Covid-19, there are still lots of career opportunities for young people out there and we’re going to help people find them through a series of Careers Launchpad webinars.

“We want to cut through the media hysteria and all the white noise, to provide all the information an individual will need to make informed decisions on the next stage of the learning journey and how apprenticeships can deliver an £100,000 opportunity.”

She continued: “In-Comm is currently working with lots of employers who are still recruiting, including Collins Aerospace, Doncasters and Gestamp Tallent, not to mention exciting SMEs, such as Key Precision and Valen Fittings.

“We need to get this message across loud and clear so that we ensure we have the talent of the future still coming through the ranks.”

Careers Launchpad will aim to replicate what you would see and hear if you visited the In-Comm Training academy, with tutors and apprentices also on hand to talk about course detail and what it is like from the learner’s viewpoint.

It will be the first of a series of webinars that will be hosted over the next three months, with a different apprenticeship tackled and explored each week. At the end of each virtual event, there will be an interactive Q&A session.

Jayne concluded: “There’s a whole school year group that have studied really hard and need to know opportunities for them to kick-start their career are still out there and taking the conversation online will allow us to do just that!”

In-Comm Training, which operates three academies at Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, has been asking firms in the West Midlands to sign-up to its ‘Skills Pledge’, which will see them commit to supporting apprentices, raising the profile of vocational learning and ‘upskilling’ their workforces.

‘Powering the Engine’ will last for over a year and will ensure the business world does not sacrifice the investment and time it has channelled into developing the talent they are going to desperately need to help reignite the economy now that lockdown is starting to ease.

25 companies have already taken one or more of the pledges, including Alwayse Engineering, Billcar, Liberty Pressings, MET Recruitment and SDE Technology.

For further information or to sign up to the Careers Launchpad, please visit https://in-comm.co.uk/careers-launchpad-webinars-to-help-get-young-people-into-work/or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

In-Comm Training aims to create another 200 additional Apprenticeships with launch of ‘Equip the Recovery’ Campaign

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 04/05/2021

One of the UK’s leading training providers is throwing its weight behind the UK’s economic bounce back by announcing a new Apprenticeship campaign designed to give firms the talent they need to grow.

In-Comm Training, which already supports more than 750 apprentices across three Technical Academies in the Black Country and Shropshire, has launched ‘Equip the Recovery’ to help more employers look at investing in apprentices by helping to remove some of the barriers.

It has committed to creating an additional 200 positions for young or mature learners between now and September and is asking businesses to get involved by creating roles within their companies.

In return, the Ofsted ‘Outstanding’-rated provider will offer one-to-one support to management teams to help them make the most of the Apprenticeship Levy, to navigate their Digital Apprenticeship Service Account, to understand the different training standards and to manage the matchmaking process so that firms get individuals that reflect their culture.

The campaign will also ask employers to submit their ‘pain points’ around vocational training, as well as celebrating the massive operational and commercial benefits apprentices deliver.

Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training, commented: “Covid-19 has impacted young people harder than most and we need to do everything we can to ensure we don’t lose a generation of talent by opening up opportunities for them to learn skills and gain employment.

“To do this we need companies to come forward and work with us to identify apprentices that will help their businesses tackle specific issues around capacity, retaining skills or just increasing the pipeline of talent coming through the ranks.”

He continued: “A lot of firms don’t realise you can also use an Apprenticeship for existing workers, in order to help retrain them in a new area – thus hopefully avoiding the possibility of redundancies when furlough comes to an end.”

Another essential part of ‘Equip the Recovery’ is In-Comm Training agreeing to take on up to 30 individuals, who desperately want to get into engineering and manufacturing, but can’t find the right opportunity.

Trainers at the firm will work with each person to look at the skills they need for their industrial development and decide on the journey they take, giving them the opportunity of Apprenticeships or upskilling courses until they can match them with an employer.

This cost will be covered by In-Comm and is completely different to the traditional approach where a company needs to be in place before the person can start their training.

Demand

In-Comm Training has seen an increase in demand from professional services and engineering clients over the last six weeks, as the UK emerges from lockdown.

Interest in recruiting an apprentice has risen 30% based on the previous two months, but there are still a lot of concerns emanating from management teams trying to balance recovery with managing day-to-day pressures.

Some of the common ‘pain points’ it is hearing from bosses range from not ‘understanding the different standards and what they mean’ to ‘how many days will we lose our apprentice for’ and ‘can we get funding to support our investment’.

There was also a general theme emerging that apprentices are often matched based purely on their expected skill set, with little time taken to try to match the person with the culture of the business.

“Equip the Recovery is going to get to grips with these issues and at the end of the campaign we will produce a step-by-step guide to help companies navigate the apprenticeship journey. Now is the time to send in your pain points!” continued Gareth.

“There does appear to be a real sense of optimism as we emerge from the lockdown with a lot of pent-up demand pushing volumes and new opportunities. Capacity is an issue now and will be in the future, so investing in apprentices will be crucial if companies are to maximise the opportunities.”

He concluded: “We are opening up another 200 Apprenticeship places across our three academies in the Black Country and Shropshire. Now it’s time for industry and commerce to take advantage by investing in this generation and also considering how they upskill their existing workforce.”

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter

In-Comm Training Open Day - 12th November

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 15/10/2015

In the latest Manufacturing Barometer released by the Business Growth Service 71% of manufacturers responded that they are planning to increase spending on developing their people.

In addition if you've been watching The Apprentice (with your hands over your eyes) and are looking for an authentic version for your business, then our open day is just for you. We'd like to invite you across on Thursday 12th November, so you can see for yourself how In-Comm can improve your productivity and help your business grow.

In order to close the skills gap that industry is experiencing in our region we have invested in new machinery and classrooms at our Aldridge HQ cater for both apprenticeships and adult learners in areas including leadership and management and business support.

There are three different sessions to choose from throughout the day and we look forward to seeing you and answering all your training related questions.

We look forward to seeing you and answering all your training related questions. In the meantime please take a look through our new brochure.

Training boss warns about growth as 100 apprenticeships sit vacant

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 08/05/2018

More than 100 apprenticeships for top engineering jobs are sitting vacant in the Black Country, raising fears that manufacturing still has a poor image at schools in the region

One of the West Midlands leading training providers believes recent growth in the industry could be hampered unless more people can be persuaded to take up vacant apprenticeship opportunities.

Gareth Jones, joint managing director at In-Comm Training in Walsall, says his firm has more than 100 positions all attached to high value engineering jobs that are available immediately, but there seems to be a reluctance to come forward and take advantage of them.

He puts this down to engineering and manufacturing still suffering from negative perceptions in schools and a lack of understanding on the career opportunities an apprenticeship could offer.

Companies are coming forward and saying they want to invest in apprenticesthat challenge has been overcome to a certain degree. We now need to make sure that, as a country, weve got a pipeline of young people or more mature learners to fill them, explained Gareth, who runs the business with his sister Bekki Phillips.

At the moment we have 100 positions vacant at our Aldridge academy alone and these are for full/part-time trailblazer courses with a job at a local manufacturer at the end of it. This means you can learn from the best trainers, on the best equipment and get paid for it, with the option of going on to do a degree at the end all without the associated debt that can go with it. This is a £100,000 opportunity.

He continued: There is still a perception that industry isnt a great career to go into and, whilst we are changing that, we need to do more to paint a picture of what modern day manufacturing is like.

Its robotics, its CAD/CAM systems, its precision CNC machines, its playing a role in making sure F1 cars get faster, aeroplanes are lighter, people can walk again all played out in bright factories and with great earning potential.

Thats the message we need to get across and we need industry to open its doors and highlight the magic of what is made right here on our doorstep. Schools, colleges and universities need to join us in getting this message out there.

Why doesnt the education sector award CPD (continuing professional development) points for teachers keen to gain a better understanding of industry and how it works? Try something different.

In-Comm, which has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted, has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for more than 35 years.

Current vacancies range from apprenticeships in machining and mechatronics to electro-technical, technical support, quality, product design, tool making, welding and manufacturing operatives.

Gareth concluded: Schools and young people looking to change careers are the natural places we first look when recruiting apprentices, but there is now no age criteria. The opportunity could also be there for a more mature worker, who may find themselves out of employment or would like to retrain.

To try and showcase what we do, we are throwing open our doors every last Friday of the month for people to drop in and see what we do, how we do it and to learn more about what Trailblazer apprenticeships can deliver.

We are also launching a new referral scheme, where people can receive a £50 voucher if they refer someone who then starts an apprenticeship with us.

In-Comm Training recently unveiled its new £3m Technical Academy at its site in Virgo Place in Aldridge.

The ambitious plan will create an additional 16,000 sq ft of space that will be fitted out with world class CNC machine tools, automation and a robotics line, fluid power stations and a dedicated electrical and electronics section.

For further information, visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

Award-winning female engineer urges young people to consider Apprenticeships on results days

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 16/08/2018

An award-winning female apprentice has urged young people to consider the vocational learning route when they receive their GCSE and A-Level results over the next two weeks.

Maria Collins, who works at the Fradley site of Birmingham-based IMI Precision Engineering, believes that apprenticeships offer school or college leavers a fantastic way to accelerate their careers and earn whilst they are learning towards a possible degree.

The 21-year-old trainee Engineer is confident that this path should no longer be seen as ‘the last resort’ and points to recent figures from her Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ training provider In-Comm Training that it could represent a £100,000 opportunity, which equates to the combined amount an apprentice earns in wages and the debt they avoid on tuition fees if deciding to go to University.

She has just completed a three-year Apprenticeship in Mechanical Engineering and is now setting her sights on securing a degree whilst developing her practical skills at the world leader in fluid power and motion controls.

“I saw a lot of my older friends get their degrees and then struggle to find jobs so I thought I’d take a look at doing something vocational that would have a position at the end of it,” explained Maria, who was named as the ‘Outstanding Learner of the Year’ at the In-Comm Training Awards in June.

“It has been a great decision. I’d completed some part-time work in manufacturing alongside my A-Levels, so knew that was the career I wanted and was fortunate enough to be accepted by IMI Precision Engineering to complete an apprenticeship.”

She went on to add: “The experience has been fantastic. I’ve learned a lot about the basics in engineering, such as milling and turning and then gradually developed more advanced skills in circuit design and 3D CAD design.

“This was done part-time, with the rest of my week spent working at my employer, getting to know staff and understanding how I could apply these new skills to my own role. It’s a fantastic opportunity. I was getting paid to learn and not weighed down with massive debt.”

Maria was the only female engineer on her course, but this did not stop her from leading from the front, quickly becoming just one of the group due to her hard work and natural aptitude for engineering.

She will be looking to start full-time as a trainee Engineer and will be responsible for supporting the technical sales team and the development of CAD/circuit design, panels and full systems, basically a different challenge every day.

“The training I received from industry competent professionals at In-Comm has allowed me to hit the ground running with IMI Precision Engineering. I even played a role in developing the new ‘Fluid Power Training Suite’ at the technical academy in Aldridge, which will be a great resource for apprentices going forward.”

Maria, who also completed a BTEC to enhance her technical knowledge, went on to add:

“Longer-term I want to work towards becoming a Chartered Engineer and hopefully move up the career ladder. I’m not looking to be MD or anything, I prefer the more hands-on practical roles.

“I’m also passionate about getting more girls to consider a career in engineering and visited Westminster to discuss this with MPs earlier this year.”

IMI Precision Engineering, which employs 9 apprentices as part of its 285-strong workforce on Fradley Park Lichfield, is a passionate advocate of developing new talent to ensure that skills get passed down from its more experienced employees.

It invests heavily in its apprenticeship and graduate schemes. Globally, there are 59 apprentices, 61 graduates (another 25 starting in September) and 32 interns employed in a host of roles ranging from Design Engineers and Prototype Toolmakers to CNC Machine Setters, Maintenance and Production.

Sarah Middleton, Communications Manager at IMI Precision Engineering, concluded: “We need the right people in the business and the best way of achieving this is to develop young people. We work with them to attain the skills they need and create a nurturing culture from the outset.

“Apprenticeships and our graduate programme are a fantastic way to achieve this, whilst balancing the age demographic across our workforce. Also the sky is the limit - a number of our senior international management team started with us as apprentices and subsequently have gone on to play a major role in the running of the global business.”

In-Comm Training operates three Technical Academies in Aldridge and – through the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) – in Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury.

Over £7m has been invested into these facilities to create state-of-the-art training centres capable of delivering more than 40 trailblazer apprenticeships and nearly 100 skills development courses.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

Pic Caption: (l-r) Maria Collins and Charles Bamford (both IMI Precision Engineering)

Auto apprentice drives forward at the In-Comm awards

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 09/06/2015

An automotive apprentice with flair for manufacturing and helping other workers develop their skills stole the show recently at the 4th annual In-Comm Training Awards #icawards15

Josh Watson, who works at Lichfield-based Faurecia Interior Systems, was named as the Peter Wood Outstanding Apprentice of the Year, beating off the challenge of 100 individuals from across the West Midlands.

He impressed judges for his dedication to his studies, combining theoretical learning with an ability to have a major impact on the shopfloor, becoming an integral part of the team in the process.

The apprentice was joined on stage by other winners, including Martin Hardy (Wedge Group) and Michael Kerry Millward (Moog Aircraft Group), who shared the Outstanding Adult Learner of the Year title.

It wasnt just the employees hitting the headlines at the prestigious event, which attracted more than 250 people to the Grand Station in Wolverhampton.

Moog Aircraft Group, Norgren IMI and Baldwinsalso overcame their peers by collecting the Employer of the Year Titles for Adult Learners, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies Apprenticeship Learners and Business Support Apprenticeship Learners respectively.

When we first started to organise these awards, the apprentice career path was off the radar and there was very little interest in it. What a difference four years make, but we still have work to do to convince young people and adult learners that the vocational route can make a major difference, explained Rebecca Phillips, In-Comm Training and Business Services.

2015 has been a record year for entries and reflects the fact we have more than 400 people training either at our academy in Aldridge or across manufacturers and professional servicesfirms across the West Midlands.

The quality has also gone up another notch and this is reflected in our winners, who will no doubt go on to have successful careers in the working world.

She continued: We also like to make sure the employers are recognised. Without firms willing to invest in new talent and their existing workers then the skills gap will only grow wider.

Other winners on the evening included:

Rachel Green (Baldwins): Apprentice of the Year Business Support
Stephanie Sparkes (Integrated Water Services): Adult Learner of the Year Business Support
Marta Pruska (Rubberneck Fittings Limited): Apprentice of the Year Supervisory Management
Ryan Blair (Baker & Finnemore): Business Improvement Techniques Intermediate
Luke Godden (GestampTallent): Apprentice of the Year Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies
Mark Chamberlain (Norgren IMI): Most Improved Apprentice of the Year
Alastair Green (Truflo Marine Valves): Tom Wood Memorial Apprentices Apprentice of the Year

Rebecca continued: The Awards are only made possible by some great organisations sponsoring the different categories.

These include Aktrion Group, Aldridge Fabrication, Alpha Drive Engineering, B Mason & Sons, City of Wolverhampton College, Darlaston Rotary Club, Key Precision, Made in the Midlands, Pro-Mil Engineering, Rical Group, Salop Design, University of Wolverhampton and Wedge Group Galvanising.

In-Comm has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for 33years.

It has invested more than £350,000 in developing a new Forklift Truck Training Centre and rapidly expanding its Academy in Aldridge to develop the next generation of engineers.

For further information, please contact 01922 457686 or visit www.in-comm.co.uk. You can also follow them on facebook and twitter at @incomm_training

Plan Your Course of Action for 2016

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 11/12/2015

We have just released our 2016 portfolio of Open Courses. These were hugely popular with groups and individual learners last year and new for this year we have introduced a series of Sales and Marketing masterclasses that will help you stand out from your competitors.

There are almost 100 courses to choose from in topics that include Health & Safety, Technical Development, Quality/Continuous Improvement and Leadership & Management.

So don't delay, choose today and take your business to the next level. If you book on before Friday 29th January 2016 using code ICT2016 you'll receive a 5% discount on your total order.

Over and above these extensive Open Courses we pride ourselves on partnering with you to provide bespoke solutions with flexible delivery both in our Training Centres and on-site in your business.

And finally, don't forget that there is still time to secure an engineering apprentice to help future proof your business. Our next intake of apprentices start here at In-Comm in March, so now is the time to contact us and discover how they can add value to you, as we train them to become engineers for life.

In-Comm celebrate National Apprenticeship Week

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 10/03/2015

A training provider in Aldridge is creating a legacy for manufacturers across the region by giving young people the skills to become engineers for life.

During National Apprenticeship Week (March 9th - 13th) In-Comm Training and Business Services are highlighting the work they do through their academy, which is equipped with industry standard equipment to teach the latest processes and techniques. Their specialised team has provided apprenticeship programmes to school leavers for over 30 years.

In-Comms Development Director Gareth Jones said: We produce lifelong Engineers ensuring they have the necessary foundations to enable them to pursue any pathway within the sector. As part of our training programme we ensure learners know and understand the stages of product development and are taught the different materials and manufacturing processes.

On the first day of National Apprenticeship Week In-Comm hosted a visit for Wendy Morton the Conservative prospective parliamentary candidate for Aldridge-Brownhills to discuss the importance and the future of apprenticeships.

Wendy said: I really value the work that In-Comm is doing to develop skills in local businesses. National Apprenticeship Week rightly highlights the value of apprentices but it also highlights the businesses that are linked into investing in their future.

Gareth added: We were delighted to host Wendys visit, she has a manufacturing background and demonstrated a real understanding of how we are helping industry.

During her visit Wendy took part in a discussion with three local businesses who work with In-Comm; Chemique Adhesives, Phoenix Tooling and Cooke Brothers. Issues discussed included access to finance, business crime and apprenticeships.

Last year In-Comm invested more than £235,000 on installing a new hydraulics and pneumatics section and a live components board that provides real-life scenarios for budding maintenance and sector specific engineers. They have also installed a six-bay welding section and acquired CNC and CAD/CAM training simulation packages.

Gareth concluded: Our academy is one of the best equipped in the region and we are committed to continuous development. We are part of the Black Countries Strategic Economic Plan and this has enabled us to invest further in our academy during by adding specialist equipment such as CNC machine tools, Pro Logic Controllers, testing and conference facilities.

When this round of investment is complete we will have created an additional 50% capacity enabling us to start 74 Engineers per year onto our foundation programmes.

APPRENTICE CASE STUDY: MICHAEL GEORGE

In-Comm offer a full five year higher apprenticeship in engineering covering the HNC which is the bridging qualification enabling their engineers to go on to study at their chosen university. Michael George is a perfect example of our strength in the sector.

He in his in his year training at In-Comm and is on a higher apprenticeship. Michael has put into practice the skills he has learnt on projects, processes and problem solving by proactively identifying and improving quality in his company.

Michael is employed by the Rical Group, formally SJ & E Fellows Ltd, established in 1895 and based near the centre of Wolverhampton. They are a manufacturer and supplier of high quality deep drawn and technically difficult presswork and commercial catering equipment.

He also writes standard operating procedure which has been implemented directly into the company policies and works within the quality team getting involved with writing the quality policies.

Michael takes time to visit local schools to showcase how an apprenticeship can be a pathway and a real career option for young people. He is a fine example and role model for young people.

To find out how your company can benefit from In-Comms services visit www.in-comm.co.uk or call 01922 457686.

Pictured: In-Comm's Engineer Academy Leader Stuart Dalloway show Wendy Morton the ropes overseen by Operations Director Gareth Jones.

£235,000 Investment Delivers World Class Training Academy for In-Comm

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 09/04/2014

A leading training provider is reinforcing its commitment to delivering apprentice and vocational skills in the West Midlands by making a major investment in its Aldridge-based academy.

In-Comm Training and Business Services has spent over £235,000 on installing a new hydraulics and pneumatics section and a live components board that provides real-life scenarios for budding maintenance and sector specific engineers.

It has installed a six bay welding section and acquired CNC and CAD/CAM training simulation packages. The firm has also built a dedicated 150 square metre Forklift Truck Centre across the road from its academy in Aldridge. This will provide RTITB accredited training for more than 250 people every year in counterbalance, narrow aisle, reach and mobile elevated work platforms.

Our workshop is now one of the best equipped in the region, said Gareth Jones, operations director for In-Comm Training and Business Services. Industry knowledge and the professionals we employ have always been big selling points with clients and we genuinely believe these new facilities will strengthen existing relationships and hopefully lead to new opportunities.

This investment believed to the biggest in more than a decade will help us offer training to more apprentices and adult learners than ever before and puts us in a perfect position to develop individuals for work in the automotive, aerospace, high value manufacturing and medical sectors.

He added: This is already working, with £250,000 of new contracts secured.

In-Comm has been providing offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for more than 33 years. This includes support in management development, health and safety, quality assurances, Investors in People, business improvement techniques, lean manufacturing and specific skills courses.

The firm also has a proven track record of developing engineering apprentices through its range of specialist packages that are tailored to meet customer needs.

This includes staggered start apprenticeship programmes, training delivered at the clients site and intensive learning at In-Comms academy.

Last year we increased our numbers on vocational courses and apprenticeships by 50% and nearly 25% respectively, continued Gareth.

He added: 2014 will be another milestone year for us and the investment in equipment and hiring the right trainers will build on recent growth and contribute towards bridging the skills gap in our sector.

In-Comm urges fellow manufacturers to take ‘Skills Pledge’ to protect pipeline of apprentices

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 19/05/2020

In-Comm Training, which operates three academies at Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shropshire, is asking firms in the West Midlands to sign-up to its ‘Skills Pledge’, which will see them commit to supporting apprentices, raising the profile of vocational learning and ‘upskilling’ their workforces as a way of coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.

‘Powering the Engine’ will last for over a year and will ensure that the industry does not sacrifice the investment and time it has channelled into developing the talent they are going to desperately need to help reignite the economy now that lockdown is starting to ease across the UK.

With several companies already taking one of the pledges, Bekki Phillips, Managing Director of In-Comm Training, explained: “The impact of Covid-19 has turned the economy upside down and many firms are trying to work out how they navigate their way through the crisis, making a lot of tough decisions in the process.

“We had noticed that a few firms were starting to let their apprentices go due to cost-cutting and wanted to address this before it becomes a major issue for young people and for an economy that is staring at a major talent drain.”

She continued: “There has been too much progress made in bridging the skills gap for us to just sit back and watch this happen, so we’ve decided to do something about it by launching the In-Comm Training Skills Pledge.

The three pledges for the ‘Powering the Engine’ campaign include:

Apprenticeship Ambassadors - the company and an apprentice will give up one hour of their time to participate in promoting the benefits of apprenticeships
Skills Support for the Workforce - a commitment to put some of its staff through upskilling courses over the next 12 months
Apprenticeship Recruitment – to recruit one or more apprentices every year

Companies taking part will receive a specific incentive depending on the pledge they take, and these range from a free skills audit and report, to free Learning Mentor courses and 5% off the cost of upskilling courses (when they cost over £500).

For every firm that signs up, In-Comm has also committed to manufacturing five visors for the NHS or local care homes.

Bekki concluded: “We want to get people talking about skills and highlighting the huge benefits apprentices can bring to the bottom line of a business, regardless of which sectors they operate in.

“This could be through social media campaigns, taking part in virtual networking, writing thought leadership articles or contributing video case studies. Let’s keep training on the agenda so we continue to have new talent coming through the ranks.

“Apprenticeships can also be used to upskill an existing employee, so they develop new skills and are more flexible to the business. A lot of levy paying companies are still having to shoulder costs so they might as well make the most of the situation.”

In-Comm Training has delivered in excess of 40 different apprenticeships to 800 apprentices over the last twelve months.

Recently, the company has recently been named as one of the training providers for a new skills fund run by the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), which means firms do not have to pay the 5% contribution to take on an Apprenticeship, saving up to £1350

Apprentices are the big winners of award night

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 15/06/2016

Last night at the In-Comm Awards, the brightest apprentices in the West Midlands were recognised at one of the largest vocational training award evenings.

James Harper, who works at Aktrion Automotive in Wolverhampton, managed to win Outstanding Apprentice of the Year against a field of 100s of peers.

The judges singled out his commitment to lean manufacturing and his drive to improve efficiency and save money as his most impressive qualities.

Voestalpine Metsec PLCs Steve Giles (Ambassador of the Year) and bosses from Cannock-based RLS Tooling joined him on stage, with the latter claiming the Employer title in recognition of its commitment to investing in young people.

The awards evening was held at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton and this years awards marked the fifth year of the In-Comm Training and Business Services Awards. The event attracted 250 people to celebrate the the importance of apprenticeships and in rebalancing the skills gap in the region.

Joint managing director of In-Comm Training and Business Services, Rebecca Phillips explained: We feel it is really important to celebrate the vocational learning route and recognise the achievements of young people who are gaining important skills whilst having a real tangible benefit to the companies they work for.

The awards received more than 250 entries, which the judges had to whittle down to seven categories.

Phillips continued: We have had our best ever year for entries and that is reflected in the calibre of winners, who, as well as working towards their qualifications, have gone that extra mile to support others, do things differently and consistently meet performance targets.

Its not just about celebrating our young people, that is just one element of the competition. There is also a desire to put the spotlight on the employers who invest thousands every year because they believe in growing their own and the mentors/parents who provide the support network individuals need to succeed.

The In-Comm Training Awards for the first time in five years has enjoyed a major sponsor in the form of RBS, who put forward commercial director Dave Robinson to sit on a judging panel including Rachel Eade (Manufacturing Hub) and Gareth Jones (In-Comm).

Together they whittled down 250 entries and came up with a list of Winners on the evening, included:

* Jack Smith (Sprint Tool & Die): Most Improved Learner of the Year and Apprentice of the Year In-Comm Academy Engineering & Manufacturing Technologies (EMT)Intermediate

* Craig Hall (Craig & Derricott): Apprentice of the Year Supervisory Management

* James Harper & Reece Davies (both Aktrion Automotive): Apprentice of the Year Business Improvement Techniques

* Faye Matts (George Taylor & Co): Apprentice of the Year Business Support Intermediate

* Bethany Griffiths (William Mitchell): Apprentice of the Year Business Support Advanced

* Joshua Bradley (B Mason & Sons): Apprentice of the Year EMT Advanced

* Dean Maritza and Joel Brown (RMD Kwikform): Apprentice of the Year In-Comm Academy EMT Advanced

Bekki added: B Mason & Sons, Bradken, Charter Automotive, Darlaston Rotary Club, George Taylor & Company, Made in the Midlands, Pro-Mil Engineering, Rical Group and Stechford Mouldings all contributed their time and some form of financial support to ensure the awards evening was such a huge success.

In-Comm Training launches Skills Barometer to discover impact of Brexit and Covid-19

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 28/01/2021

Businesses across the West Midlands are being encouraged to take part in a major new survey designed to identify the current skills landscape.

In-Comm Training, which provides apprenticeships, upskilling courses and consultancy to over 250 companies across the UK, has launched its Skills Barometer to help it identify how Brexit and Covid-19 are impacting on firms and their planned investment in training and the talent of the future.

A simple online survey (https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/in-comm-barometer-questionnaire-employers-2021) takes just five minutes to fill in and aims to get an insight into if apprentices are being kept on if businesses are still training staff who are on furlough and how future intentions on training and apprenticeship recruitment are shaping up.

The data will then be used to provide a compelling ‘skill’s case’ to help influential trade bodies talk to the Government about the support and funding required.

“The last year has been one of the most demanding in living memory, with companies having to contend with the uncertainty and economic pressure created by a joint combination of Brexit and Covid-19,” explained Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training.

“There is little doubt that the way businesses approach skills and training has changed and we need to make sure we can help management teams continue to invest in their workforces.”

He continued: “If we can understand how firms will utilise skills development as part of their bounce back against the pandemic, then it will help us to ensure we are providing courses that will boost productivity, increase efficiencies and deliver other tangible bottom line benefits.

“Our Barometer will hopefully be the largest report on skills completed in the last twelve months and we will use the findings in discussions with MPs, Ministers and trade organisations, including the Confederation of British Metalforming, Make UK and Made in the Midlands.”

For the first time ever, In-Comm is also running a Barometer for school pupils about their thoughts on possible career paths, apprenticeships and what attracts them to the vocational learning route.

The Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ training provider has already teamed up with a number of schools to help get the largest number of responses possible and is also opening up the survey (www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/in-comm-barometer-questionnaire-students-2021) to other educational establishments and any pupils aged between 14 and 16-years-old.

Jayne Guest, Head of Apprenticeship Engagement, concluded: “The skills gap we are trying to bridge requires a healthy pipeline of young people looking to take the Apprenticeship route and that is why we wanted to do a Barometer for young people to try to get their thoughts on the current situation.

“They will be very nervous about the impact of Brexit and Covid-19 on career opportunities, but we are here to help guide them through any questions they have, not to mention reassuring them that employers are still keen to invest in new talent.”

Results of both Skills Barometers will be published on the 8th February, the first day of National Apprenticeship Week 2021.

In addition to the survey, In-Comm Training will also be holding a round table for employers and a Virtual Open Day for young people and parents wanting to find out more about apprenticeships, the technologies you can learn and a possible career route to a Degree.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk. The two surveys can be found:

Employer Survey: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/in-comm-barometer-questionnaire-employers-2021

Student Survey: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/in-comm-barometer-questionnaire-students-2021

HNC Higher Apprenticeship launched by In-Comm Training and the University of Wolverhampton

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 02/10/2019

Budding engineers can take a vocational route all the way to a Degree thanks to an exciting new partnership between In-Comm Training and the University of Wolverhampton.

HNC Higher Apprenticeships have been launched in the West Midlands this month and have already attracted 20 people who are looking for a more practical route to gaining the highest possible competences and qualifications.

The HNC element of the programme is an intensive year-long course, which can be funded by the Apprenticeship Levy and features 12 technical modules with the learning being delivered at In-Comm’s state-of-the-art technical academy in Aldridge and the University’s dedicated engineering campus.

The competence element of the programme runs alongside, with the learner producing a portfolio of evidence complementing the knowledge undertaken in the HNC.

Participants on the course have the opportunity to focus their learning through elements, such as engineering and manufacture, design, research, business improvement techniques and new product development.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for young people and more mature workers to gain competences and technical skills that will provide an accelerated pathway to higher education and career progression,” explained Bekki Phillips, Managing Director at In-Comm Training.

“For the first time, someone who has completed a Level 2 or Level 3 Engineering Apprenticeship can accelerate their learning by completing the HNC Higher Apprenticeship that will then lead to their Degree Apprenticeship.”

She continued: “This ultimately means that from starting an apprenticeship at 16 you could have the equivalent of a degree by the time you are 22 - better still you have six years of on-the-job training and experience and no tuition fees to pay.

“From a company point of view, you can access funding through the levy to upskill your people to the highest possible level or even give existing workers the opportunity to broaden their technical horizons.”
 Rebecca Macdonald, Faculty of Science and Engineering Associate Dean for Business Engagement at the University of Wolverhampton, added her support: “This partnership gives regional manufacturing and engineering businesses the opportunity to upskill their workforce via a clear progression route from level 2, to HNC and then right through to degree and masters level.

“We are one of the first universities in the UK to offer an accredited fast track Bachelor of Engineering with Honours Manufacturing Engineering programme, meaning that as well as the benefits of seamless delivery via this partnership, employers can benefit from their employees achieving their full potential in less time.”

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

TMG Open House: Advanced technologies for the aerospace supply chain

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 31/05/2018

In-Comm Training and Manufacturing Group, in collaboration with our technical partners, would like to invite you to a special open house at the £4m Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT) in Bridgnorth.

The event will explore the advanced technologies that are currently supporting the aerospace industry and how the UK supply chain can make use of automation, Industry 4.0 and a highly skilled workforce to achieve higher levels of productivity.

There will be opportunities to experience a range of world class technologies in robotics, CNC machine tools, metrology and Wire EDM, whilst our guest speaker will outline where the sector is moving towards.

Delegates will also have the opportunity to tour the 36,000 sq ft MCMT training hub, a unique employer-led centre that will support 2020 learners by 2020 with trailblazer apprenticeships and upskilling opportunities.

For more information and to book your place on the event visit www.InCommTMG.eventbrite.co.uk

Funded training launched to help Black Country people at risk of or recently made redundant

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 26/07/2021

People who are at risk of redundancy or have been made redundant in the last three months can access funded training through the Skills Support for Redundancy programme to help them upskill or retrain.

In-Comm Training, one of the expert training providers chosen to carry out the programme in the Black Country, supports more than 2500 individuals every year to access apprenticeships and training to equip them with skills they can use to retrain and develop new careers.

The programme gives individuals the opportunity to complete Diplomas in Performing Manufacturing Operations, Engineering Operations and Business Improvement Techniques, all of which are fully funded and an accredited qualification taking 12 months to complete through off and on-the-job-training.

These sought-after qualifications can support those at risk either into continued employment with the existing employer or a new opportunity across the region.

There are other certified courses that cover a range of engineering or technical management disciplines, including introduction to metrology, reading engineering drawing, CNC programming and basic hydraulics and pneumatics – these can be taken over several days. Bekki Phillips, Chief Operating Officer at In-Comm Training, commented: “We all know how difficult it has been during the pandemic and a lot of people have been made redundant or are at risk of losing their jobs.

“The Skills Support for Redundancy programme gives individuals access to dedicated training support that will allow them to gain new skills that will be attractive to employers and help make finding new jobs a lot easier.”

She continued: “Employees who have received a letter saying they are at risk of redundancy in the last three months can also apply for the scheme, so that they can use the opportunity to upskill, which will add more value to the business if they are able to retain them.”

In-Comm Training’s employer-led approach has seen it become one of the UK’s leading providers, delivering more than 750 Apprenticeships every year and thousands of upskilling courses.

More than £7m has been invested in developing three world class technical academies in the Black Country and Shropshire, with learners getting access to the best trainers and advanced equipment, ranging from a dedicated metrology room and CNC machining zone to fluid power technology, 3D printing and extensive welding capabilities.

A wide range of funded training is also available for businesses to upskill existing staff through the Skills Support for Workforce programme,

Both the Skills Support for Redundancy and Skills Support for the Workforce programmes are delivered by Serco and are co-financed by the Education & Skills Funding Agency and European Social Fund.

Bekki concluded: “As we emerge from the pandemic, there will be a lot of challenges and plenty of opportunities too. Companies and individuals will need to be as skilled as possible, and this support will help the Black Country adjust to the new way of working in the best way it can.”

If you are an employer or an employee at risk, please contact sales@in-comm.co.uk or call 01922 457686 for more information.

In-Comm flying high after ‘aerospace skills’ funding success

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 03/03/2017

A Black Country training provider has been chosen to help deliver a major skills boost for the UK aerospace sector.

In-Comm Training, which operates two academies in Aldridge and Shrewsbury, is part of the £320,000 EU-funded Erasmus+ AEERO (Aerospace Engineering ECVET Resources Online) project that will create a suite of interactive online training resources.

The University of Wolverhampton secured the money for the collaboration and the Universitys Faculty of Arts is now working with the company, a number of local manufacturers and partner organisations in Portugal and Italy.

It is anticipated that the project will provide bespoke training skills and personal development opportunities to meet future demand for what is expected to be unparalleled growth in the aerospace sector.

Gareth Jones, Managing Director at In-Comm Training, said: There has been a 30% productivity growth in the aerospace sector in the last five years, but there is still a lack of vocational training on offer to ensure that skills are relevant and up to date.

The creation of a suite of online training resources, which will feature input from industry leaders, will support the vocational skills required by engineers across the EU aerospace industry, from supply chain development through to preventative and breakdown maintenance.

He continued: With a £31bn turnover, the UK has the largest aerospace sector in Europe and second only to the US in the world. Its our job to make sure we listen to firms from this industry and develop innovative new learning methods that give them the skills they need now and in the future. AEERO has an important role to play in this.

Sam Hope, Dean of the School of Art at the University of Wolverhampton, said: We will be working closely with partners to develop a shared, digital learning platform which is designed to meet user needs and will be made up of easily accessible, media-rich learning materials and resources.

The learning resource will be available in English, Italian and Portuguese three key languages in the global aerospace industry.

Involvement in the Erasmus+ project marks an exciting six months for In-Comm Training, who has invested heavily in its Aldridge academy and been named as one of the partners in the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology (MCMT)due to open in Bridgnorth in the Summer.

The company has also strengthened its partnership with Salop Design & Engineering, with a joint investment of £200,000 into facilities at the Shrewsbury academy, creating 40 new apprenticeship places in the process.

It is part of a strategic commitment to work with key organisations in manufacturings different sectors to deliver a bespoke approach to their skills requirements.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter

CNC apprentice is key to Cannock’s firm’s ventilator push

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 07/05/2020

A 20-year-old CNC machining apprentice is playing a key role in manufacturing over 150,000 critical parts for the NHS.

Jacob Benton, who is studying towards his HNC Level 4 with In-Comm Training, is working around the clock with the manufacturing team at Cannock-based Key Precision to produce up to nine different components for use in the assembly of ventilators being built for the frontline.

The young engineer has programmed three different CNC machines to create five oxygen supply line parts, completing the complex task in just a few hours of receiving the order so the company can meet urgent timelines set by the consortium.

“It’s great that I am putting what I’ve learned on my apprenticeship into action on such a crucial project that will help save lives,” explained Jacob, who has set his sights on gaining his BEng degree and a future career in Production Management.

“Each part starts with us receiving drawings and then, from there, I write a CNC programme to produce the specified component. In order for us meet the deadlines expected and to give us the different tolerances required, I had to use three different CNC machines.”

He continued: “There’s a real team ethic and this has been evident during this project, with a dedicated cell set-up for production and many of us working over 60 to 70 hours over the week and during the Easter Holidays.”

Key Precision is a specialist manufacturer of precision turned parts, inserts for plastic and sheet metal fasteners, supplying high profile customers such as Aston Martin, Bentley, JCB and Rolls-Royce.

The company, which employs 25 people at its base on Phoenix Road, has worked with In-Comm Training for more than 20 years, accessing upskilling courses and forklift training for its workforce.

Jacob is the firm’s third apprentice, starting as a Level 2 machinist in 2017 before following the CNC pathway to achieve his Level 3 last year and now embarking on his HNC that will eventually lead to a degree.

Greg Jackson, Engineering and Quality Director, added his support: “We are big fans of growing our own talent and actively look to recruit budding engineers who want to go to the very top of our business.

“Jacob is a prime example. From the minute he stepped on to the shop floor, he has shown a real appetite to learn from his peers, attack new challenges and use his own initiative to come up with solutions to problems.

“In-Comm Training has given him a fantastic grounding in engineering and the ability to continue to learn with our support. He really has been instrumental in the ventilator project.”

Jason Daniels, Technical Manager at In-Comm Training, concluded: “We are very proud of how Jacob has progressed, supported by an employer that really gets ‘apprentices’ and the value they can bring to a business.

“He’s well on course to secure his engineering degree in two years’ time and continue his progression at Key Precision. Learning on the job has certainly made a difference to how quickly his career has taken off.”

In-Comm Training has delivered in excess of 40 different trailblazer apprenticeships to 800 apprentices over the last twelve months.

All of these have been written in partnership with world class industrial partners to ensure the technical content is right for their current and future requirements, whilst all individuals apply their learning on machinery and equipment that will futureproof them for years to come.

This employer-led approach has helped it lead from the front and develop three dedicated technical academies across the West Midlands, where hundreds of students and employees are being trained in a combined 70,000 sq ft of dedicated learning space.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk, or follow @incomm_training on twitter. More details on Key Precision can be found at www.keyprecision.com

Industry experts wanted as In-Comm creates ten new jobs to meet apprentice rush

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 24/07/2018

Independent training provider In-Comm Training is creating ten new jobs as it looks to increase the number of apprentices it is training by 20%.

In-Comm Training, which operates Technical Academies in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, is looking to recruit a number of tutors, lecturers and assessors to help it meet demand from engineering and manufacturing firms seeking to develop the engineers of the future and to improve the skills of existing staff.

The positions cover Mechanical Engineering, Electrical, Health and Safety and Fork Lift truck, with each candidate expected to be experienced in their chosen field so they can pass on valuable industry knowledge to learners.

Bekki Phillips, joint Managing Director of In-Comm Training, said: “2018 is set to be major year for the business, with the number of apprentices we can train rising to 650 and the number of upskilling opportunities we are expected to deliver to more than 2000.

“After the recent £7.5m investment in our centres in Aldridge and Bridgnorth, now is the time to make sure the Academies are being fully utilised and we’ve had a great reaction from local businesses keen to make the best use of the facilities and our technology.

“In order to make sure we can cope with demand, we now need to increase our team of tutors/assessors and lecturers by 25% and that means recruiting ten new members of staff.

“Lots of industry expertise is crucial as we want our learners to benefit from people who have ‘been there and done it’ and can make the training as relevant as possible. It’s an approach that seems to be working, with 86% of our apprentices going on to secure their qualifications compared with a national average of just 68%.”

In-Comm Training, which is the only independent training provider in the West Midlands with an Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating, currently offers more than 40 different trailblazer apprenticeships, covering anything from mechanical engineering and machining to toolmaker and mechatronics maintenance.

The company works with a number of technical partners to give apprentices the opportunity to learn at three state-of-the-art Technical Academies featuring the latest CNC zones, fluid power technology, metrology, robotics and CAD/CAM suites.

“Having the three locations is great for meeting the geographic needs of manufacturers in the Black Country and Shropshire,” added Bekki.

“A lot of firms don’t want their staff travelling too far and we’ve listened to this and created a hub and spoke model. It’s the same outstanding teaching and facilities, just delivered across sites in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury.”

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on twitter.

Season's Greetings

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 17/12/2015

Here's to a prosperous 2016.

From all the team here at In-Comm Training and Business Services.

AlphaDrive’s commitment to its people drives 100% increase in sales

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 25/06/2014

A commitment to developing its own people is paying off for a Willenhall manufacturing specialist after it more than doubled the size of the business in the last year.

AlphaDrive Engineering Services, which offers the supply, mechanical repair and fabrication of bearings, industrial gearboxes, motors and power transmissions, has seen sales increase to £320,000 after landing a string of new contracts in the aggregates, food and beverage and paper making sectors.

Backed by support from In-Comm Training, the company has created an in-house training and continuous development plan for all employees and is also investing in the next generation of engineers with two local apprentices recently taken on.

It is an approach the management team is keen to build on, with the aim of hitting £1m turnover by 2018.

We started the business just as the recession was coming to its peak, but knew deep down we could offer customers something different to what they were currently receiving, explained Anthony Chisholm, Managing Director.

Having spent most of our career involved in engineering services we recognised the need to improve customer service, the importance of adding value to what we do and flexibility in responding to urgent requirements.

He went on to add: This helped us put the business plan together and at the heart of that plan was people. We wanted to adopt a big company development programme and embed it into our small business culture, something In-Comm has helped us achieve.

AlphaDrive currently employs 8 people at its Ashmore Lake Way premises, an increase of six new staff in the last year alone.

All of the workers have had access to courses focused on welding, managing health and safety, forklift trucks and first aid, not to mention a number of individuals working towards NVQs in team leadership.

Two engineering apprentices have also recently been employed and are undertaking training both on-site and at In-Comms purpose built workshop in Aldridge.

The more skills we can give our people the better and this is directly translated into better productivity on the shopfloor and an ability to take on different types of work. This could be machining and fabrication, repairing bearings or supplying industrial gearboxes direct to the customer, commented Anthony.

He continued: We cant adopt this training approach on our own, which is why In-Comm has been such a big help, understanding what we do, the support we need and giving us access to their dedicated workshop.

It has also been crucial in helping us take a more holistic approach to the way we deliver training and in ensuring we access the funding we need to implement all of the improvements.

Aldridge-based In-Comm has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for more than 33 years.

This includes support with apprentices, management development, health and safety, quality assurances, Investors in People, business improvement techniques, lean manufacturing and specific skills courses.

Gareth Jones, Operations Director at In-Comm, added: We work with more than 200 manufacturers every year and there has definitely been a surge in the number of firms investing in training.

AlphaDrive has been at the forefront of this and is a great example of a small company trying to be the best they can by unlocking the potential of its people.

He concluded: If it is going to achieve £1m turnover it will need to double the size of the workforce and recruitment of apprentices will be at the top of its agenda.

AlphaDrive is continuing to tap into support from In-Comm Training and is currently in the process of working towards ISO 9001.

For further information, please visit www.ad-eng.co.uk or www.in-comm.co.uk.

We are taking a stand - At the MIM expo

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 12/05/2015

In-Comm Training are looking forward to exhibiting at the MIM expo on stand 124. Gareth, Gemma and Vanda will be there to discuss your business training requirements, be it for apprentices or adult learners in these key areas:

We have over three decades of experience in the design and delivery of training, skills and consultancy programmes. We deliver quality training at our industry standard development centre in the heart of the West Midlands or on-site at your business.

We will also be bringing along a selection of the revered Engineering Industry Training Board (EITB) training manuals 'black books'. We have one the UK's only full and original library of these and working with us will give your learners full access to them.

Operations Director Gareth Jones said: "It is estimated that there will be a shortfall of 200,000 qualified engineers by 2020. Manufacturing and engineering creates wealth for the UK economy. In-Comm creates engineers for life."

We look forward to seeing you there...Don't forget we have a fantastic evening ahead at our annual awards ceremony on Friday 5th June at the Grand Station in Wolverhampton. For more information contact Bekki on 01922 457686.

In-Comm Training and RTX’s Collins Aerospace take off with ‘fast track’ employment course to create up to 65 advanced engineers

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 09/02/2024

In-Comm Training has joined forces with one of Wolverhampton’s largest employers, the
Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) and the West Midlands Combined Authority
(WMCA) to help unemployed people into advanced manufacturing jobs.
The independent training provider, which operates two state-of-the-art technical academies
in Aldridge and Telford, has created a fast-track course that will aim to create up to 65 new
CNC machinists and electro-mechanical fitters for RTX’s Collins Aerospace factory in
Wolverhampton.

A pilot scheme for the first cohort of ten people started in January, with each participant
receiving a mix of theoretical and practical technical training that will see them learn turning,
milling, hand fitting, CAD CAM and 3 and 5-axis. Backed by over £200,000 of Higher Level Skills funding by the WMCA, the ground-breaking
course will take just six months to complete.

At the end of it, each learner will receive a Level 3 Extended Diploma in Engineering and
Technologies, additional on-the-job competences, and an interview/opportunity to gain full-
time employment at Collins Aerospace’s Wolverhampton facility.
DWP, who play a key role in the initial recruitment phase, has also agreed to continue to pay
each individual’s benefits for the duration of the course.

“We are continually working with employers to overcome barriers to sustainability and growth
through the right talent attraction and development, taking that valuable insight and creating
training programmes that deliver future workers, vital competences and skilled engineers,”
explained Gareth Jones, Managing Director of In-Comm Training.
“The aerospace industry has seen first-hand the impact of the current skills shortage, a skills
shortage that has been exacerbated by Covid-19.
“With the niche skills required to be a CNC Machinist and electro-mechanical fitter, the talent
isn’t readily available and, the only way to overcome this, is to create the next generation of
engineers.”

He continued: “This is why we’ve developed a fast-track option to initially equip 10
individuals with the skills and Level 3 qualification required to work on the manufacturing
shopfloor at Collins Aerospace in Wolverhampton.
“We have worked really closely to develop the content of the course and were able to
introduce an innovative partnership with DWP, whilst accessing funding from WMCA to bring
the programme to reality.”

Wolverhampton-based Collins Aerospace has used In-Comm Training for its apprenticeship
scheme since 2018, with the latest training being delivered predominantly at the provider’s
Technical Academy in Telford.
Learners have been inducted and completed environmental, health and safety training and
have now moved onto engineering theory and honing practical skills.
To enhance engagement even further, participants will also be partly trained on the Collins
Aerospace site in Wolverhampton, giving them full exposure to the aerospace world and
culture.

Cathy Taylor, Business Development Manager with the Black Country Jobcentres, added her
support:
“We are pleased to be working with In-Comm Training to support Collins Aerospace’s local
recruitment needs.

“Jobcentres across the Black Country have been promoting the bespoke training
programme, which delivers an intensive 6 months of learning, leading to a full-time job
opportunity and well-paid career with the global aerospace supplier.

“This is a unique opportunity for motivated jobseekers, who already hold a level 2 in maths
and aspire to obtain a Level 3 qualification in Engineering and Technologies and gain
employment in the manufacturing sector.”
The pilot course is part of a £429,000 ‘Higher Level Skills’ funding package In-Comm
Training secured from the WMCA to help the region bridge the skills gap facing
manufacturing.

There are plans in place to recruit for a second cohort in June, with the overall aim of
developing up to 65 engineers by the end of 2025.
Andy Street, Mayor of the West Midlands and WMCA Chair, concluded: “We’ve identified
Advanced Manufacturing and Engineering as one of our priority sectors in our region’s Plan
for Growth.

“This partnership between DWP, Collins Aerospace and In-Comm Training shows how
WMCA skills funding can align with a high-growth sector, enabling local people to upskill in
this field and boosting their employment prospects at the same time. It will also provide the
sector with the workforce talent required to increase productivity and fuel growth.
“In-Comm has developed a flexible skills offer to help local residents access training -
supporting their future career prospects, as well as their wider health and wellbeing in the
months and years ahead.”

Anyone who is unemployed and interested in this programme should
email employer.serviceblackcountry@dwp.gov.uk for more information about the next
cohort.”
For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow the company on its
social channels. More details on Collins Aerospace can be found at
www.collinsaerospace.com

Gestamp Tallent signs up In-Comm Training for Apprenticeship boost

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 25/01/2018

One of the worlds largest suppliers of metal components for the automotive sector has appointed In-Comm as its preferred Apprenticeship training provider.

Cannock-based Gestamp Tallent, which has recently opened a second factory in Four Ashes in Wolverhampton, currently has 11 apprentices at the Aldridge firms state-of the-art academy on the trailblazer mechatronics and toolmaking courses.

It is part of the companys desire to bridge the skills gap and address an ageing workforce, with the plan to recruit another 30 apprentices over the next three years as it looks to maximise increases in volumes with all the major car manufacturers in the UK and Europe.

We want to work with a partner that understands where we are going as a business and can deliver the level of quality training that will produce engineers that have an immediate impact within the business, explained Julian Nicholas, Training Controller at Gestamp Tallent.

After a competitive tender that involved more than 10 providers we decided to appoint In-Comm to work with all of our apprentices. This involves helping us recruit them, shaping the training and then ensuring they are learning on equipment that is relevant to them.

He continued: All of our apprentices spend eighteen months full-time at the academy and then they join us, with one-day college release per week. This is the type of intensive development that you saw in the late 70s and one we are very much in favour of. Yes, its a longer-term vision, but one that will reap dividends over the next few years.

In-Comm - recently awarded Outstanding rating by Ofsted - has worked with Gestamp Tallent for over a decade, providing upskilling courses and consultancy on compliance and business improvement techniques.

The apprenticeship contract is one of a number of recent wins this year for the firm, which has also seen it play an instrumental role in the launch of the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology in Bridgnorth.

This £4m world class hub means it now operates three academies with further satellite workshops opening through its partnership with the Engineering Technology Group.

Gareth Jones, joint Managing Director of In-Comm Training, commented: There is an industry-wide desire for more robust apprenticeship programmes and our work with Gestamp Tallent reflects that.

We sat down with the team and looked at the right courses, before jointly tailoring them to reflect some individual elements that they needed covered. Its all about listening to the employer and ensuring we deliver the skills support they neednot what we think they may want.

He continued: This approach has been taken a step further when we invited Julian to attend an open forum on our new £1.5m extension set to open in February.

Gestamp along with twenty other clients discussed what type of machinery/technology they would like to see being installed and we have acted on this by equipping the workshop with our first wire EDM machine, 5-axis CNC machine tools with Halter automation, ABB robotics and the latest metrology equipment from Hexagon.

In-Comm has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for 35 years.

Other areas of training and development cover management development, health and safety, quality assurance, business improvement techniques, lean manufacturing, business support and specialist skills courses.

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training

on twitter.

In-Comm Training Leaders Named in Top 100 Manufacturing Professionals in the UK

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 18/11/2020

Two leading figures at In-Comm Training, members of Made in the Midlands, have been named as heroes of UK manufacturing.

In-Comm Training Managing Director Bekki Phillips and Academies Manager Stuart Dallaway have been featured in The Manufacturer’s Top 100 list, which recognises some of the most dynamic leaders and innovators in the sector.

Nominated by a 265,000-strong community of industrialists, the duo impressed a high-profile judging panel by the way they have helped apprentices and employers overcome the challenges of Covid-19.

This included introducing online training when the business was forced to close and ensuring the firm’s three academies reopened safely to avoid disruption to the learning experience.

In-Comm Training also introduced a Skills Pledge to work with more than 50 companies to protect and increase apprenticeships during these difficult times and this has already resulted in the protection of over 100 positions.

“Wow, this is such an honour and a fitting endorsement of what our teams in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury have achieved in the face of unprecedented challenges,” explained Bekki Phillips.

“It is so important that we don’t lose a generation of engineers to the pandemic and we are doing everything we can to support employers to continue to invest in apprentices, providing tailored support and more intensive online learning experiences.”

She continued: “The Top 100 is one of the most prestigious manufacturing competitions in the UK and, having two people in this exclusive list, shows how important training is to the future of our sector.”

Stuart Dallaway is a perfect example of how important vocational learning is, having progressed from his apprenticeship with In-Comm Training in 2004 to Academies Manager.

In his current role, he is now responsible for the effective running of three world-class facilities in Aldridge, Bridgnorth and Shrewsbury, supporting more than 750 apprentices every year.

His ability to lead by example and use his own personal experiences as an apprentice has helped shape the company’s trailblazer apprenticeships and led to it securing Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ rating and long-term contracts with major manufacturers, such as Doncasters and Gestamp Tallent.

Stuart concluded: “When I first started, I never thought I’d be in the UK’s Top 100 manufacturing professionals, so it just goes to show what you can achieve with hard work and commitment.

“I’ve got so much out of being an apprenticeship that it’s great I can now put something back by creating and running world-class academies that will be producing the next generation of engineering talent.”

For further information, please visit www.in-comm.co.uk or follow @incomm_training on Twitter

In-Comm boss warns manufacturing stereotypes threaten industry growth

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 09/05/2018

One of the West Midlands leading training providers believes the growth in manufacturing will be hampered if more people do not take up vacant apprenticeship opportunities.

Gareth Jones, joint Managing Director at In-Comm Training, said his firm had more than 100 positions all attached to high value engineering jobs immediately available but they were not being filled as there seemed to be a reluctance among people to come forward.

The reluctance is attributed to the negative perceptions surrounding manufacturing emanating from schools and other institutions, often through a basic lack of understanding about industry and the career opportunities it offers.

Gareth, who is also the chairman of the newly-launched Made in the Midlands Skills Advisory Board, said: Companies are coming forward and saying they want to invest in apprenticesthat challenge has been overcome to a certain degree. We now need to make sure that, as a country, weve got a pipeline of young people or more mature learners to fill them.

There is still a perception that industry isnt a great career to go into and, whilst we are changing that, we need to do more to paint a picture of what modern day manufacturing is like.

Manufacturing today is a much-changed beast compared to the industry familiar to the parents of todays schoolchildren with many of the processes implementing cutting-edge technology.

This is the message we need to get across and we need industry to open its doors and highlight the magic of what is made right here on our doorstep. Schools, colleges and universities need to join us in getting this message out there.

Why doesnt the education sector award CPD points for teachers keen to gain a better understanding of industry and how it works? Try something different.

In-Comm, which has been rated Outstanding by Ofsted, has been offering industry and commerce a wide range of training and business solutions for more than 35 years.

The firm operates three training academies in Bridgnorth, Shrewsbury (both under the Marches Centre of Manufacturing & Technology banner) and at its original site in Aldridge.

Current vacancies range from apprenticeships in machining and mechatronics to electro-technical, technical support, quality, product design, tool making, welding and manufacturing operatives.

We are also launching a new Referral scheme, where people can receive a £50 voucher if they refer someone who then starts an Apprenticeship with us.

In-Comm Training recently unveiled its new £3m Technical Academy at its site in Virgo Place in Aldridge.

Up-Skilling Todays Engineers

In-Comm Training & Business Services — 10/06/2014

In-Comm have added another skill set to their ever expanding range of industry based courses. With an eye on market trends and industry needs, In-Comm now have a dedicated team to provide training in Hydraulics, Pneumatics, Electro Controls to Fluid Power & PLC's.

Since the programmes inception February, over 45 learners from over 16 Companies throughout the Black Country have taken up the course. The courses have mainly been taken up by skilled engineers wanting to up-skill, however we have also taught apprentices on the equipment enhancing their learning journey. The Skills Factory are offering this programme through their scheme as they appreciate the need for these skills to ensure successful growth with the manufacturing sector.

One of our recent customers from UTC Aerospace Systems (through the Skills Factory) gave us feedback on the Hydraulics and Pneumatics courses. In-Comm were able to adapt the course to our needs. This proved extremely useful, and was used to great effect by Greg Tyson the instructor at In-Comm who focused on areas where we needed to spend longer and move quickly through areas that we had experience on. He also gave attention to the learners needs while making sure his inexperience did not stand out. He is an outstanding instructor.

As an experienced industry training provider, In-Comm are able to facilitate the needs of most engineering based companies. Covering a range of qualifications and consultancy programmes from Business Improvement Techniques to Apprenticeships. If you are interested in hearing more about this and other courses In-Comm can provide, please call Gareth Jones on 01922 457686 or email garethj@in-comm.co.uk.

In-Comm Training & Business Services

Government & Industry Urged to Work Together to Ensure a Generation of Apprentices Isn't Lost

200 apprenticeships up for grabs as In-Comm Training opens hotline for A-level and GCSE students

West Midlands’ engineering stars recongised for their commitment to learning

£3m Technical Academy opens to future-proof West Midlands manufacturing

In-Comm set to help up skill 800 people across Birmingham in £12m funding programme

The Training of the Shrew

In-Comm boss calls for more ‘IP’ to be commercialised in the UK

In-Comm Training stages Open Day for future engineers

Here come the girls at the In-Comm Training Awards 2021

Manufacturers split on the benefits of the Apprenticeship Levy according to new report

West Midlands mayor pledges renewed support for apprentices after visit to Made in the Midlands Members, In-Comm Training

Trying to find a way to support companies to continue investing in apprentices was on the agenda last week when the Mayor of the West Midlands visited a leading training provider.

In-Comm opens the door to success

Seminar: Hot topics in Employment Law

July Mini-Budget: The devil will be in the detail says In-Comm Training

In-Comm Training & Buisness Services Managing Director Bekki Phillips has responded to the statement made yesterday by the Chancellor that has a strong focus on apprenticeships.

In-Comm launches ‘Covid-19 Secure’ service to help businesses get back to work

Companies looking to return back to work safely can tap into a new service launched by In-Comm Training that will help them become ‘Covid-19 Secure’.

In-Comm Training reveals 130 apprenticeship vacancies as competition rises for this year’s talent

In-Comm Training targets expansion plans after management team becomes a family affair

We're counting down to the In-Comm Awards - June 5th

Manufacturers debate changing times for the automotive sector

Manufacturers urged to take ‘Skills Pledge’ to protect pipeline of apprentices

One of the UK’s leading training providers has launched a new campaign to ensure apprenticeships are protected as manufacturers seek to find ways of coping with the Covid-19 pandemic.

Q&A with In-Comm Training: Apprenticeship Levy is too prescriptive and not flexible enough, and more

The training Barometer report states that 55% of manufacturing firms you work with feel that the apprenticeship levy is working. Yet that means 45%, don’t think it’s working, from your experience why does the idea of does it work seem so divisive?

The report states that 20% of firms questions have increased the number of apprentices as a direct result of the Apprenticeship Levy. Is there still space for this number to grow in the future?

One of the key recommendations you made in the report was that if the government lowered the levy to £3m, then it would help companies with engagement. What was the key reasoning to set the Levy at that amount?

Your report also stated that more support is required in order to allow SMEs the affordability of allowing apprentices to work 18-months off the job. What support would you like to see be given?

In-Comm has been rated, by Ofsted, as an ’Outstanding’ provider, and with over 35-years’ experience, the company would have been witness to a lot of change. With that being said, what would your main call to action be to the government?

GOLF DAY 2018

Apprenticeship boost as MCMT announces 30 new positions

In-Comm Training collaborates with HK Technologies to produce PPE for local NHS trust.

As a result of a personal connection to the Coronavirus outbreak, In-Comm Training & Business Services has joined forces with fellow Made in the Midlands member, HK Technologies to produce reusable PPE for their local NHS trust.

In-Comm host Parliamentary Candidate during National Apprenticeship Week

No Sugar thank you, our apprentices are sweet enough!

West Midlands apprentices head to Westminster to quiz MPs on skills support

Book now Supplier & Employer Event, 5th September

Venue: Classic Motor Cars,Stanmore Industrial Estate, Bridgnorth WV15 5HP

Survey reveals manufacturers are backing apprenticeships despite Brexit uncertainty

£1.5m boost for In-Comm Training

Engineering Sustainable Development

Girl Power leads the way at the In-Comm Training Awards

Salop Design & Engineering press ahead with help from In-Comm Training

In-Comm Breakfast Seminar - ISO 9001:2015 is changing. What does it mean for your business?

West Midlands training legend passes away

One of the West Midlands leading supporters of vocational learning has sadly passed away.

In-Comm Training announce new Operations Director as it looks to build on £7.5m investment drive

In-Comm Training and Brandauer partner to reverse toolmaking skills crisis

Apprentice nominated for In-Comm award

Report shows appetite for Apprenticeships remains strong, but inflation a worry for employers looking to attract and retain staff

£500,000 advanced skills boost for West Midlands manufacturers

In-Comm Training ‘Open Day’ set to attract hundreds of potential apprentices

In-Comm Training turns to virtual learning as part of its Coronavirus response

One of the UK’s leading training providers has developed a new way of making sure apprentices are able to continue their learning during the Covid-19 pandemic.

CBM Advocates In-Comm

New training academy boosts Shropshire’s manufacturing skills

Join our new In-Comm Alumni on Linkedin

Record turn-out at In-Comm Golf Day

In-Comm calls on new Government to embrace an employer-led approach to skills

In-Comm Training lands major apprenticeship contract with Lander Automotive

Is training on your agenda for 2015?

Companies back apprenticeship investment as In-Comm announces 23 new apprentices

Employers are still investing in apprentices despite the pandemic according to a leading West Midlands training provider.

£3m training centre boosts skills levels for West Midlands manufacturers

In-Comm Training lands major ‘Education Business Partnership’ Award

Birmingham engineer takes the main prize at In-Comm Training Awards

Your Invitation to the In-Comm/RBS Golf Day - Nov 6th

In-Comm Training named ‘Training Provider of the Year’ at the Ladder for the Black Country Awards

In-Comm F/T and P/T Engineering Packages - Limited places available

TMG Open House: Automotive Technologies

Closing gap will boost productivity

In-Comm Training named ‘Apprenticeship Provider of the Year’

Up & Coming Courses

ARC & MIG Welding - Various FMEA Course - 20th IOSH Working Safely - 12thTeam Leader Award - 4th/11th/18th/25th Preparing To Teach (PTTLS) - Various Power Press - 31st Pneumatics -20th/21st Forklift & Reach Truck-Various First Aid Courses-Various

Midlands engineering stars recognised for their commitment to learning

In-Comm helps Moog deliver £1.5m landmark training programme

Vocational learning in the spotlight as the West Midlands best apprentices revealed

In-Comm Training chosen to help deliver new Apprenticeship Levy Transfer fund

ARC & MIG Welding - Various
FMEA Course - 20th
IOSH Working Safely - 12th
Team Leader Award - 4th/11th/18th/25th
Preparing To Teach (PTTLS) - Various
Power Press - 31st

Pneumatics -20th/21st
Forklift & Reach Truck-Various
First Aid Courses-Various