Stage is set for Tockwith business following LEP training grant

A grant from the LEP is helping one of the UK’s leading creative construction and manufacturing organisation stay firmly in the industry spotlight.

Over 1,000 individuals in Leeds City Region have now benefitted from grant funding to support train their staff. Among them is Tockwith-based Stage One Creative Services, which has successfully applied for £18,000 to invest in training for supervisory and management team staff.

Investment off to a flying start 

With support from the LEP, Stage One Creative Services, which was established in 1996, is looking to further strengthen its position as a market leading supplier in creative staging specialising in the design, manufacture, and installation of sophisticated ‘flying’ systems, such as those that helped to kick off the magic at the London 2012 Olympics. 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 amongst many other high profile events.  

Management and communications training

The training, which is being delivered by two separate providers for 25 members of staff, will enhance the skills and expertise 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. 

Motivation and teamwork

Julie added: “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.”

LEP Board member and skills service lead, Mark Ridgway, of Group Rhodes, said: “With grants of between £500 and £50,000 available, businesses across the Leeds City Region, including York and North Yorkshire, 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. 

“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.”