TRAINING ON DEMAND

An innovative training initiative targeting skills that are particularly in demand in Cornwall has been set up with the help of Objective One.

The four industry sectors partnering in the STAKES (Skills Training Across Key Emerging Sectors) programme are Cornwall Marine Network, Cornwall Engineering Group, Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust and the Food and Drink Skills Network.

The project has received £744,798 of investment from the Objective One European Social Fund (ESF) and the Learning and Skills Council.

Doctor Andrew Green, co-ordinator of the Objective One learning and skills task force, explained: "The Learning and Skills Council (LSC) really has shown flexibility and tried to respond to the needs of small businesses by funding sector organisations.

"The sector organisations are now in a position to purchase the training they want at the time to suit their business. This is a wonderful opportunity for small businesses in Cornwall to invest in the skills that they need to improve growth and productivity and we look forward to them taking up the opportunities that STAKES presents.

"From this point of view Objective One and the LSC can really lay claim to doing things differently and responding to need."

The Cornwall Sustainable Building Trust has already hit the headlines with its futuristic ZED (Zero Emission Development) homes.

As well as teaching new methods the Trust is training people in traditional skills including stonework and brickwork with lime, scantle slating and lime plastering and rendering.

They are also tailoring courses to demand.

Paul Bright, CSBT spokesman, explained: "A roofer will only be interested in the scantle slating and not the stonework so we are proposing to run a three day course specifically for the roofers. Some of the first trainees are now being sent into Boscastle and Crackington Haven, which both suffered severe damage in the well known August flooding, to help rebuild."

Carleen Kelemen, Director of the Objective One Partnership, said: "This is a good example of how Objective One investment is helping by offering training that is demanded by the businesses themselves. Having the right skills can often be a key part of helping businesses flourish and driving the prosperity of Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly."

Cornwall Engineering Group has just got its training courses up and running.

Spokesman Lyn Morris said: "Engineering, both mechanical and electrical, is one of the largest sectors of industry in Cornwall and includes some of the most innovative and technically advanced companies in the country. Our aim is to improve the competitiveness and prosperity of Cornish engineering companies by working together.

"Already, members of the Group are working together and have gained export orders which they would not have been able to achieve by working on their own. Other companies have also found experience within the Group to enable them to solve their immediate requirements. Nobody should have to turn down a valuable order just because they do not have the skills or machinery to fulfil it."

The Food and Drinks Skills Network is based at Duchy College and was running before STAKES. Courses offered include food hygiene, product development, health and safety, management and ICT. The group is also looking beyond NVQs to specific training such as bakery and ice cream making.

Tina Boydell, a Network skills adviser, said: "The organisation was set up as a result of intensive research into the needs for basic skills within the food & drink industry. We have helped lay some good foundations in basic skills now and are looking at helping staff and business owners to build on these.

"It was discovered that there was a requirement for quality skills training support and that there needed to be a way of obtaining expertise in certain areas, particularly in food and drink manufacturing operations. STAKES funding has allowed us to take on a Project Manager, Emma Pate, who joins from the industry with 14 years experience working within food retail and manufacturing. Emma will lead this exciting project forward to ensure that businesses can benefit from quality NVQ in-house training programme that is flexible enough to be built to suit individual food and drink businesses."

The Cornwall Marine Network, with Chairman Roger Graffy, owner of Mylor Yacht Harbour, has high ambitions. On top of offering training the Network hopes to attract investment to gain massive boost for Cornwall's marine industry, with a £10 million development plan creating nearly 2000 new real jobs over the next five years. The plan aims to improve access to the water for both commercial and leisure users, and to make provision for the development and teaching of new and traditional skills.

Already more than 50 companies from ports across Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly have signed up to the Network.

For further information please contact the Objective One Communications Team, Tel: 01872 223439 or email: cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk.