Bonds training manager John Forsyth.

Established: 2008

Established: 2008

Sector: Advanced engineering

Type of business: Steel castings manufacturer

No. of employees: 65

BONDS Precision Castings Limited was launched in 2008, after the County Durham-based company Bonds Limited bought it from Precision Products in Alston.

Bonds Limited also owns another foundry in County Durham that was established in 1868 and is renowned in the international steel industry as a specialist in the manufacturing of steel castings used in many areas of engineering.

Bonds saw the potential in investing heavily in the site at Alston which is the town’s main employer with 65 staff.

The Bonds Precision Castings workforce is undoubtedly highly skilled but it has become clear that the company at Alston would benefit from training for some employees that would not only improve their ability to carry out their job, but formalise their experience in their field.

John Forsyth, training manager at Bonds Foundry, explains: “When we bought the Alston site, we got in touch with Business Link Northwest to see what areas it could help us with. It became clear very quickly that we needed to focus on training as a major priority and so our adviser has helped us learn more about training initiatives and find the right providers for our employees.”

When she first began working with Bonds Precision Castings, Business Link Northwest skills adviser Wendy Griffiths carried out a skills diagnostic to assess gaps in skills and training. A management restructure was already underway at this stage and the search was on for existing employees with the potential to develop into management roles.

One of the first initiatives that Wendy recommended Bonds Precision Castings became involved in was NVQ training for staff via the Train to Gain scheme. John was keen to take advantage and he is now working towards putting half of the workforce at Bonds Precision Castings through NVQ qualifications in areas as diverse as manufacturing, engineering, management and team building. With support from Wendy the company will be able to access funding to cover the cost.

John says: “Bonds has a very highly skilled workforce but there are some areas that need formalising. We are very keen to employ local people and will be utilising training facilities to make this possible.”

To help develop the management team at Bonds Precision Castings, Wendy signposted the company to leadership and management training. She identified a Carlisle-based training provider called Gen II that could work with the company to ensure the management team had the skills to lead their teams effectively.

John says: “We are now finalising the details of the training with Gen II, which will see 13 supervisors and managers from Bonds Precision Castings go through the management training. The training will equip them with the skills they need to help drive the business forward.”

Wendy helped Bonds Precision Castings to access funding towards the cost of the training through the Train to Gain: Leadership and Management Advisory Service.

As well as the NVQ and leadership and management training, Wendy also recommended that Bonds Precision Castings looked into employing apprentices. Wendy says: “Employing apprentices is a cost-effective way for companies to grow their own workforce by providing on the job training in specific areas.”

Bonds Precision Castings has since employed three apprentices from the local area in the fields of administration, mechanical engineering and moulding. The company also put an existing staff member on an apprenticeship and plans to take on two more in the near future.

Wendy says: “Bonds Precision Castings is committed to training and has made the Skills Pledge, a voluntary, public commitment made by an organisation to invest in the skills of its workforce. They work in a niche area of manufacturing, in a town that needs a strong local employer and deserves one that’s committed to supporting local people.

“The new management team is dynamic yet socially aware. They have formed close links with the local schools and have already taken on apprentices, with more to follow, so are helping to boost the local economy.”

John adds: “We will keep in contact with Business Link as it is the perfect service partner to give us the help we need to ensure all of our staff are properly trained. Once we have the right training in place, we can focus on other areas of growth and development and will be seeking Business Link’s assistance during this process.”

If you think your business could benefit from free support and guidance from Business Link Northwest call 0845 00 66 888 or e-mail infobusinesslinknw.co.uk . For more information visit Business Link Northwest’s award-winning website www.businesslink.gov.uk/northwest.