York creative construction firm invests in training with LEP grant

A grant from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP) has enabled a York-based creative construction and manufacturing organisation heavily invest in the training of its staff.

Located in Tockwith, Stage One Creative Services has successfully applied for an £18k grant from the LEP to invest in training for supervisory and management team staff.

With support from The LEP, Stage One Creative Services is looking to further strengthen its position as a supplier in creative staging specialising in the design, manufacture, and installation of sophisticated ‘flying’ systems, such as those featured at the London 2012 Olympics.

Established in 1996, Stage One also created the set for the 2014 Sports Personality of the Year awards, the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games Opening Ceremony and the Tour de France Grand Depart team presentation.

The training, which is being delivered by two separate providers for 25 members of staff, will enhance the skills of Stage One’s management teams, improving efficiency levels through better management practice.

The programme consists of a series of 10 comprehensive management training workshops and a programme of communication and presentation training for customer-facing staff.

Additional training is being planned for next year.

Julie Scholefield, HR Manager at Stage One Creative Services, said: “We approached the LEP for skills support in order to boost the skill sets of a wide range of employees at supervisor and middle management level. We were keen to commit to further training despite our recent growth and success and this has proved to be extremely positive and beneficial. The confidence levels of those who have already completed the training is already paying dividends throughout the business.

“The level of industry knowledge and expertise within the business is unrivalled but we need to build on this and ensure that this is communicated effectively and translates to our clients. We plan to extend the training and roll it out to other team members aiming to increase the confidence of customer-facing staff in their presentation abilities, improve internal communications and define a more customer-focussed, relationship based approach than we’ve ever had before.

“We are confident the training itself not only shows commitment to staff from the company but also motivates the team, increases teamwork, co-operation and communications throughout the business.

“The LEP Skills Service has played a significant role in keeping our business on track and making sure we are in a position to grow and evolve in the hugely dynamic creative industries sector in which we operate.”

Mark Ridgway of Group Rhodes, who is an LEP Board member and skills service lead, added: “With grants of between £500 and £50,000 available to businesses with a budget to put towards training, have the opportunity to work with a team of expert skills advisors, discuss their long term growth plans and skills needs, and put together a robust training plan for their staff. We are delighted to have been able to assist Stage One Creative Services, a real innovator in its specialist field and we want to help them stay that way.

“Offering a comprehensive service to businesses, the LEP’s team of advisors support employers to tackle paperwork, source appropriate training provision and submit an application for funding. The LEP is dedicated to ensuring local businesses primed for growth have the skills to succeed.”