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New Deal For Education In Stoke-on-Trent
One of the Midland’s largest painting and maintenance companies has sealed a ground-breaking contract with Stoke-on-Trent College, which is among the first of its type in the country.
J & S Seddon has pledged to put its entire workforce through an extensive programme of training – culminating in an NVQ - under the agreement.
Over the next three years, 800 people will receive training at the College’s Moorland Road campus.
Graham Moore OBE, Principal of Stoke-on-Trent College, said: “This is one of the first contracts of its type in the UK.
“The Government has been working to bring training and industry together as the way forward and this is a great example of that policy in action.
“A skilled workforce will make a competitive and productive Britain. This is a step forward for the city and puts us firmly on the map as a centre for innovation in training and development.”
J & S Seddon will put tradesmen from its offices across England, Wales and Scotland through the programme - making Stoke-on-Trent College its national hub for training.
Training will also be available for the company’s supply chain.
Stuart Seddon, chairman of J & S Seddon Painting, which has its head office in Fenton, Stoke-on-Trent, said: “It is a challenging programme, but an achievable one.
“Ultimately it is going to help us get the best training for our staff, pushing up quality and continued high standards.
“Our business has grown on the basis of our training commitment and this contract sets the platform to build on for the future.”
Already this year J & S Seddon has taken a series of major honours for its training commitment.
In April, it secured the AWM and EU backed Leadership In People Award, from West Midlands Constructing Excellence, as well as the regional Site Manager of the Year title from the Building Safety Group.
It was awarded one of the highest accolades in the painting and decorating industry in June after receiving the 2008 Special Award for Excellence, from the Painting and Decorating Association, at the trade body’s annual Premier Trophy Awards. The award was given by independent judges for the company’s commitment to driving up standards in quality and customer care.
At the same awards, Tom Alston, a trainee painter with J & S Seddon in Preston, took the Apprentice of the Year title, and the company also won the industrial category.
Stuart Seddon added: “Our standards are already high, but we need to keep pursuing innovative and engaging training methods. Working with Stoke-on-Trent College helps us to achieve that goal.”
Training will be delivered at the college’s new multi-million pound construction and allied skills training centre. The site is called the John Seddon Building Technology Centre in recognition of the work of the former J & S Seddon chairman, who played a key role in the college’s governing board.
Release Date: June 08
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