Local MP Chris Mole praised SEHBAC on his recent visit to our manufacturing centre for the quality of the products and our recruitment of three young technical trainees. Chris encourages training schemes to build business capability for future growth.
Chris Mole MP gets hands on at SEHBAC
East Anglian home improvement company, SEHBAC, has been a major employer in Suffolk and Essex since the early 1970s and has recently embarked on a programme of positive youth employment by employing apprentices from the National Apprenticeship Service as part of SEHBAC’s 75-strong workforce.
To recognise SEHBAC ‘s contribution to the region, local MP Chris Mole visited SEHBAC’s window and door manufacturing and sales centre in Ipswich on 19th February to meet two young apprentices where he called on more Suffolk businesses to use the apprenticeship scheme.
20-year old Jed Barrell works as a member of the company’s Commercial business, SEHBAC Commercial. Jed’s 15 month programme is subject to regular assessment from industry experts and through workplace learning, Jed is now becoming a key player in the multi-million pound turnover company working on contracts across the UK with clients ranging from small companies to multi-national property owners. Regional training supplier WS Training put him in touch with SEHBAC as a strong candidate following their interview process.
“The apprenticeship has changed my life,” says Jed. “Having been made redundant from my previous engineering job I attended a careers fair and learned about the Apprenticeship programme. I secured an interview with SEHBAC through the contacts at WS Training and have been here since November ‘09. The business skills I’m learning here and the knowledge my colleagues are teaching me are fantastic. As well as in the office I find myself using them in other walks of life – planning living budgets, structuring life plans! I aim to be here for the long-haul and develop my career within SEHBAC.”
Fellow apprentice Adam Locke, 19 and from Ipswich, is responsible for stock management and goods. Previously unemployed, Adam joined the company and worked as a member of the team producing over 1,000 windows each week from the Ipswich factory. “My apprenticeship is giving me opportunities I might not have otherwise had. It’s changed my life for the better.”
Glen Swatman, Managing Director of SEHBAC Commercial: “My team needs to know the details of our market sectors and our products need to be fit for purpose and in keeping with building requirements. The team needs to be able to communicate with clients in a professional and clear manner and meet the quality levels we’ve set. Jed came to us last year and has slotted into the day to day running seamlessly. His enthusiasm and willingness to learn from our more experienced staff and to use those skills in dealing with clients has been first class.”
John Savage, Managing Director of SEHBAC’s retail operations, is a strong believer in the Apprenticeship programme’s benefits: “The Apprenticeship programme ensures we have a structured approach to training and helps enhance the multi-skill levels of our staff. Whether, like Adam, our apprentices are involved in the important manufacturing side of the company or in the client-facing special project areas, the ambition they demonstrate helps to keep our staff fresh and gives us the opportunity to train young employees in the SEHBAC way. We have ISO 9001 Quality Management System approval and Kitemarks requiring all procedures to be documented and audited; the training these young members receive is all best practise and ensures that going forward, SEHBAC will stay relevant at the forefront of the various sectors we operate in.”
Having toured the SEHBAC premises where he saw the production line in action and witnessed the creation of windows from start to finish, Chris Mole met and talked to the apprentices about the roles they now have and the effect the Apprenticeship programme has had on their lives.
Chris Mole MP: “I was pleased to get the chance to shadow the apprentices at SEH BAC windows and to find out more about how the Company is investing in Ipswich by providing employment and training to young people, and continuing to grow a successful business with the help of Apprenticeships.
‘Not only do Apprenticeships play an important role in giving businesses the edge to succeed in the upturn – they are invaluable to the individual, offering a strong route into a career and valuable hands-on experience as well as qualifications.
‘The recession has taught us two key things: that businesses’ long-term commitment to investment in their workforce really pays off, and that young people must be effectively brought into employment. Apprenticeship programmes, like at SEHBAC, offer both of these factors and I would urge more businesses to consider the benefits of Apprenticeships.
‘Over 300 employers in Ipswich have already signed up to the free Apprenticeship vacancies service which matches apprentices with prospective employers and it would be fantastic to see this number rise. I would strongly advise companies in Ipswich to consider Apprenticeships as part of their recruitment strategy.”
Also visiting on the day was Teresa Logan, Employer Services Director for the National Apprenticeship Service in the East of England.
“Apprenticeships provide a flexible resource to help businesses across all industries grow and provide a route to harness fresh talent. Having staff with the right skills for the job means they can do a wider range of tasks and take on new responsibilities. This can help to reduce skill shortages, minimise staff turnover and workplace accidents, and increase productivity.
“The time is absolutely right for businesses of all sizes to take on apprentices. Our research shows that firms who take on apprentices have been in great shape to face the downturn. Last year saw a seven per cent increase in apprentices; that’s 240,000 people starting their careers with the best possible training and the determination to succeed.
“Our aim is to bring about significant growth in the number of employers offering Apprenticeships and our target is to have one in five people undertaking an Apprenticeship by 2020.”
Ends…
Issued by SEHBAC COMMERCIAL
Media Contact: Oliver McCrudden
SMA Public Relations
Tel: 01621 892 814
Email: oliver@smapr.net
