Cornish businesses to lean on global manufacturer

A newly-formed partnership between a leading local College and a global manufacturer has resulted in the launch of unique qualifications aimed at improving the efficiency of Cornwall’s businesses.

Truro and Penwith College Business has been working alongside Keter, a global manufacturer and marketer of resin-based household and garden consumer products, to develop two new Business Improvement Apprenticeships that aim to help existing managers and team leaders improve the efficiency and effectiveness of operational practises and processes. 

The new Apprenticeships are available at Level 3 for managers responsible for department processes and Level 4 for senior managers whose remit includes multiple departments or whole organisations. Learners will be supported to identify and address real efficiency opportunities in their workplace, and it is hoped those qualified will be suitably skilled to go onto make a positive impact on business profitability. 

The 14-month Apprenticeships start in March 2020 and while available to all organisations, the training is expected to appeal strongly to SME’s who will be entitled to funding for 95% of the training costs.

The unique Apprenticeships have been designed in conjunction with Keter’s European Continuous Improvement Manger Gary Schultz, the College’s Management Training Team and have been part funded by the European Social Fund through the College’s Innovation in Higher Level Skills project (IHLS). Gary will join industry leaders on the Management Training Team to co-deliver aspects of the course.

The IHLS project has also helped to ensure industry relevance through consultation with a range of other businesses including St Eval Candle, WES Engineering Solutions, Teagle, Pump International, Goonhilly Earth Station and DP Engineering.

Interested businesses are invited to join the College and Gary Schultz at Keter’s Redruth based factory to find out more at a Business Improvement Tour and Taster Session on Tuesday 21 January. Places are limited and attendees are required to register their interest for the event by contacting Truro and Penwith College Business on [email protected] or 01872 242711.

Adele Bull, Programme Team Leader at Truro and Penwith College Business commented: “The College is thrilled to announce the launch of these Apprenticeships and to supplement the Outstanding level of industry experience on our Management Training team with Gary Schultz who is responsible for process improvement at Keter, which has a proven track record of delivering lean manufacturing on the world stage.

“The programmes are suitable for businesses in any sector and aligns perfectly with our aim of providing training that makes a real difference, supporting employers to deliver real workplace objectives and ultimately boost the wider Cornish economy.” 

In addition to delivering the Apprenticeships, the College hopes to bring the employers involved together to create a business improvement group that shares best practice and contributes to the continual development of the programme. 

Gary Schultz, European Continuous Improvement Manager at Keter commented: “Keter is looking forward to the opportunity of collaborating and networking with other like-minded companies within Cornwall, in order to promote lean and its benefits to business.” 

If businesses would like to discuss any aspects of the new Apprenticeships the team at Truro and Penwith College Business is available on 01872 265802 or via [email protected].