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The business behind employability skills

Businesses need employees to develop and supplement their skills in order to stay competitive in the growing UK economy. Intraining, a Sheffield based training provider for employers and employees, aims to do just that. Neil Armstrong, personal business adviser manager for Intraining, takes Bdaily behind the business.

1. Sum up your business model in a couple of lines

Our business is dictated by our customers. Our setup ensures we understand the needs of the employers and learners we work with and provide a tailored solution for them.

2. What key challenges has your company recently faced?

The Skills Support for the Workforce (SSFW) is a new contract for the business; our key challenges have been mobilising the new contract, developing and testing the processes and engaging with a range of new businesses.

It’s critical we work with SMEs to support and develop their companies as this is the key focus of the contract.

So, taking no shame in making a plug if you are an SME reading this, operating in the following sectors (manufacturing/engineering, hospitality/travel/tourism, retail, creative, digital/technology, low carbon, health and professional business services) and thinking about developing the skills of your staff and want to take advantage of fully funded, accredited training; get in touch.

3. What is your focus for the coming year, and what do you hope to achieve?

We want to work with as many SMEs as we can to understand their needs and develop business impacting training solutions.

I want to look back at the end of 2014 and believe we have worked with these companies and helped them achieve their goals; customer focus being a prime objective.

I also want us to develop a closer working relationship with key stakeholders and partners so we can support their plans and consequently they can help us with ours.

4. If you had to choose one top piece of advice for someone just starting out in business, or is currently operating within your industry sector, what would it be?

Understand your market, understand your customers and their needs and provide a product or service that matches their needs. Managing the business’ finances is of paramount importance also.

Translate the vision of your business to your staff.

5. Can you share with us your view of the current landscape of business, in your region or generally, and where your organisation sits within it?

I think businesses are generally optimistic and positive about the future. There are some fantastic companies in the North East with huge potential. We sit right in the middle in helping businesses get better, sharper and improve their performance.

Developing skills in the workplace is an ongoing need in an ever-changing local economy, so we have a huge responsibility to play our part in supporting SMEs with their plans.

6. What other business idea are you most envious of?

I’m really envious of Michael Acton Smith, the creator of Moshi Monsters. Michael is a serial entrepreneur who has created an innovative combination of digital and physical products for children. With a new movie due out, Michael is striving to position the business as the next Disney. What I admire is the creativity and strong vision for the business. I also like how the people in the business and their skills are essential to their success.

7. What will be the ’next big thing’ in your industry, and how do you plan to handle it?

The Local Enterprise Partnerships are taking a stronger role in coordinating and addressing skills needs in the region. A key objective is to ensure skills funding is directed and focused in sectors which can have the biggest economic impact.

This affords employers a greater role and responsibility in informing the skills that they need. It means we have to continue our relentless focus on understanding the needs of the businesses we work with, delivering the training our customers need and ensuring we have strong working relationships with our partners.