Huddersfield business paints future for budding decorators
Family-run business Ramsay Clay, will continue developing the next generation of expert painters and decorators thanks to LEP funding.
Family-run business Ramsay Clay, which has worked on prestigious contracts including The London Savoy Hotel and Westminster Abbey, will continue developing the next generation of expert painters and decorators, thanks to funding from the Leeds City Region Enterprise Partnership (LEP).
Training the next generation
The Huddersfield-based business has been awarded a grant from the LEP’s skills service. The £1,415 grant will allow Ramsay Clay to train the next generation on delivering the same high quality work that the business has been providing for more than 70 years.
Ramsay Clay offers both commercial and domestic decorating services nationwide, with particular expertise in working on heritage and listed buildings, conservation projects and ecclesiastical painting.
High standards
The business is dedicated to training its staff to the highest possible standard. It currently employs a 30 strong team, as well as providing a continuing apprenticeship programme in partnership with The Entice Project and Kirklees College.
Following the recruitment of two young apprentices, the business recognised the need to invest in further training, in order to maximise productivity and sustain the future growth of the business.
Caroline Clay Director at Ramsay Clay said: “Ramsay Clay was first established in 1946, and whilst we’ve come a long way since then, we want to continue to grow and innovate. We’d like to take on more specialist restoration work over the next few years, but in order to do this we need to increase capacity within the business to secure those projects.”
“A recent recruitment drive identified the need to create a mentor position within the business, and we wanted to fill this position from our existing staff. We therefore approached the LEP for two pieces of support which included leadership training, and helping staff understand the skills needed to take on more of the day-to-day running of the business.
”We identified and developed a bespoke piece of training to support our apprentice mentor, we enrolled a staff member on the Institute of Leadership & Management Certificate in Leadership & Management and then the LEP helped to cover the costs, which we are very grateful for. It’s already had a massive impact as we now have an apprenticeship mentor who has taken the extra responsibility in his stride. “
Apprentice support
Mark Ridgway, LEP Board member and chair of the skills service management board, said: “We’re delighted that we could provide Ramsay Clay with the funding that the business needs. As a business owner with 10% of our employees in apprenticeship schemes, I’m especially pleased we were able to help Ramsay Clay to support apprentices in order to grow their business.
“The LEP’s skills service offers the opportunity to work with a team of expert skills advisors who support employers to tackle paperwork and submit a robust application for funding. In particular, with Ramsay Clay, we offered additional support to help them find an appropriate training provider.
“The LEP is dedicated to ensuring local businesses, primed for growth, have the skills to succeed.”
If you'd like support to grow your business, the LEP can help with support and funding for training. Click here for more information or get in touch at skills@the-LEP.com or call 0113 386 1910.