Business News

Two engineering businesses are the latest to join the Ladder for the Black Country campaign as they look to recruit five new apprentices.

Lead training provider Performance Through People (PTP) is recruiting for four welding vacancies at European Heathyard Engineering in Brownhills, which supplies the nuclear power industry, and two more for kiln and furnace manufacturer Bricesco, based in Wednesbury.

To support the recruitment programme – and provide an opportunity for anyone local who is considering an apprenticeship in welding – PTP is running a six-week Route to Work programme at its engineering centre in Walsall.

Kevin Newell, the project manager at PTP Training working with the two companies, said: “There is a high demand for skilled welders in the Black Country but also for fabrication skills.

“This course will provide applicants with a grounding in both skill sets and follows consultation with both employers. We work closely with recruiting companies to ensure they can find recruits with the right attitudes and aptitudes.

“Here at PTP we are also ensuring that these new recruits will fill the needs of the engineering businesses we work with, as well as providing opportunities for applicants to launch themselves into new careers, learning skills while being paid a wage.

“Ensuring the right fit between company and recruit is vital to the success of any apprenticeship. For example, European Heathyard needs to find candidates with a particular approach, combining a positive attitude to persistence and precision.

“Welding in the nuclear industry is an especially delicate and accurate job – there are very narrow margins of error. As a result, the company has very particular needs when it comes to recruiting apprentices.

“Here at PTP we recognise these needs and have already helped recruit a previous apprentice at European Heathyard who is make excellent progress.”

Both Bricesco and European Heathyard are recruiting due to expansion, so both employers are providing an ideal opportunity for the right candidates.

Gill Durkin, business executive at PTP added: “Both businesses want to recruit apprentices who wish to learn new skills, be rewarded for a good day’s work and grow with them.”

The six-week welding course is fully funded for any West Midlands resident aged 19 years or over who is not in employment, education or training.

The course will provide English, maths and digital support where required, pre-employment training to give the applicant the best chance of securing the job, training in the principles of MIG & TIG welding, health and safety, crane handling, safe use of grinders and cutters, basic understanding of Computer Aided Design, understanding drawing and diagrams, measuring and marking out.

As part of the process both employers are offering hands-on work experience where the applicant can shadow experienced welders whilst being mentored in the workplace. Any interested parties should email apprenticeships@ladderforblackcountry.co.uk or call 01922 651100.

Ends (466 words)

For further information, please contact:

Gill Durkin, Business Executive

Tel: 01543 460050, mobile: 07734 814905

Email: gill.durkin@ptp-training.co.uk

Website: www.ptp-training.co.uk

PTP Training, Essex Terrace, In-Town, Walsall, West Midlands, WS1 1SQ.

Prepared and issued by ASAP PR – 07990 978257.

Note to editors:

Performance Through People (PTP Training) is one of the leading providers of workplace training and apprenticeships in the West Midlands. PTP supports employers, individuals and communities offering local solutions with national coverage. It delivers apprenticeships, bespoke commercial courses and a range of government funded training programmes to suit the needs of our customers, whoever they may be.

The benefits for companies of taking on apprentices have been highlighted by the Ladder for Staffordshire.

Kevin Davis, chairman of the Ladder, explained how with schools now closed and with some school leavers undecided about what to do next, the marketplace is vibrant for offering apprenticeships.

Mr Davis said: “Taking on an apprentice comes with plenty of exciting benefits for businesses and can help them to fill skills gaps.

“There are a huge variety of standards to choose from, each designed to set out the skills, knowledge and behaviours needed for an occupation.

“This means they’re responsive to the wants and needs of organisations – both now and in the future.

“Apprenticeships aren’t only suitable for bringing in new employees – they are also ideal to help businesses to upskill or retrain existing employees, of any age, and at any level.”

Mr Davis said that apprenticeships are available from Level 2 (GCSE equivalent) right through to Levels 6 and 7 (equivalent to a bachelor’s or master’s degree), and some may also offer additional professional qualifications, such as Association of Accounting Technicians (AAT).

He added: “The important thing is that the apprentice will develop new skills to help them succeed in their chosen occupation.”

One example of a successful apprentice is Charlie Dance, who initially joined Valyou Recruitment, a firm based in Burntwood, Staffordshire, that specialises in the construction industry, on a Kickstart programme in November 2021.

He did so well that he was taken on as a trainee payroll administrator in March 2022, and started a Level 2 Accountancy apprenticeship alongside that role in September.

Charlie, aged 23 and from Burntwood, was helped on his apprenticeship by Performance Through People (PTP).

He said: “When the option to do a Level 2 Accountancy apprenticeship at Valyou arose, I jumped at the opportunity.

“I am handling invoicing and payroll to make sure that our workers are paid correctly and on time, plus I work on our internal database, finding ways to efficiently present and find information as well as keeping it up to date and relevant.

“So far it’s been the perfect blend between on-the-job experience and in-class learning, and being able to see the progress I’ve made since I started is really encouraging.”

Jason Challoner, managing director of Valyou, added: “Charlie is doing really well in his role and has definitely benefited from his apprenticeship, supported by PTP.”

Results for the 2022/23 year show that under 19s accounted for 24.8% of the overall number of people starting their apprenticeships.

Advanced apprenticeships accounted for 43.2% of starts (119,170) whilst higher apprenticeships accounted for 34% of starts (93,970), a 6.1% increase on the previous year.

Whether you are an employer or an individual, anyone still undecided should visit www.ladderforstaffordshire.co.uk or email apprenticeships@ladderforstaffordshire.co.uk.

Ends (457 words)

For further information, please contact:

Gill Durkin, Ladder for Staffordshire Manager

Email: apprenticeships@ladderforstaffordshire.co.uk

Website: www.ladderforstaffordshire.co.uk

Tel: 01543 460050, mobile: 07734 814905

Prepared and issued by ASAP PR – 07990 978257.

A customer service “bootcamp” run by Midlands training experts BCTG has resulted in more than 40 full-time jobs at banking business process specialist Firstsource.

BCTG ran its first “bootcamp” with Firstsource last summer, giving unemployed participants an introduction to the banking sector and a short course on how to deliver excellent customer service.

The session resulted in a work-based experience session, plus guaranteed interviews for full-time roles located at Firstsource’s site in Birmingham city centre.

Steve Burnet, business development lead coordinator at BCTG, explained that more than 70 jobseekers took part in the bootcamp, and that Firstsource offered over 60% of them full-time contracts.

Mr Burnet said: “The project proved to be a big success and has resulted in more than 40 of those who took part landing full-time jobs with Firstsource.

“As the course was open to anyone who was socially inactive and over the age of 19, we were able to attract a rich, diverse selection of candidates.”

One of the jobseekers who attended the bootcamp and then ended up with a full-time job was Morgan Street, of Kings Norton, Birmingham.

Morgan, aged 21, was unemployed and had been unsure about his future career when he attended a BCTG open day looking for possible apprenticeship opportunities.

After a chat with a BCTG advisor, Morgan was introduced to the Firstsource bootcamp and decided to see if his existing skills matched a role in the banking sector.

Mr Burnet said: “Morgan was initially a little fazed, given he had no prior working experience, but soon grew in confidence during the programme and headed into his interview in a buoyant mood.

“He gave an excellent interview, using the skills and techniques he had developed with BCTG and impressed Firstsource enough to be offered a role as a customer service agent last August.

“Since then, he has gone from strength to strength, and we understand he has become a key part of the team.”

Morgan himself said: “When I completed the Firstsource bootcamp, I learned a lot of useful skills and gained knowledge that would help me in a position as a customer service advisor.

“During my first eight months as a customer service advisor I have learnt to use my listening skills actively, and adapt to each customer’s query to give them the best outcome.

“I have thoroughly enjoyed my time so far at Firstsource and feel my experience there will strongly benefit my future.”

Jo Dunn, business skills curriculum lead at BCTG, added: “All the learners were grateful for the opportunity to explore new avenues and increase their knowledge ready for employment.

“They liked the support that we gave and the opportunity to work as a team, enjoying the interaction within the group and sharing experiences.

“They felt they learnt a lot and were more prepared to enter or re-enter the world of work and that the guaranteed interviews gave them a real advantage.

“They also liked having a structure again, felt that they were doing something worthwhile and had access to roles that would otherwise have been unattainable for those with no banking or customer service experience.”

Ends (517 words)

For further information, please contact:

Chris Luty, Chairman,

BCTG Group, European Business Park, Taylors Lane, Oldbury, B69 2BN. Tel: 0121 544 6455

Prepared and issued by Andy Skinner, ASAP PR – 07990 978257

Note to editors:

BCTG Group is a West Midlands-based training organisation which supports almost 10,000 young people and adults each year.

The group has ten sites in Birmingham, the Black Country, Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme, and includes PTP Training, trading as Performance Through People, BCTG Ltd, Eurosource Solutions, Further Training and The Apprenticeship Works.

The group offers 166 different types of apprenticeship, 84 different adult upskilling and reskilling courses and 27 pre-apprenticeship programmes for 16 to 18-year-olds. These include everything from healthcare and early years care to construction, engineering, manufacturing and logistics, through to business skills in IT, management and team leading.

More than a dozen staff at an expanding computer and gaming online retailer are attending new upskilling workshops leading to apprenticeships with Midland training experts Performance Through People (PTP).

Overclockers UK, based in Stoke-on-Trent, is one of the UK’s leading suppliers of PCs, hardware, components and accessories for customers across the UK, as well as supplying globally.

The company has recently relocated into larger 100,000 sq ft premises in Stoke-on-Trent’s ceramic valley, and the training investment has been agreed as part of its continuing growth.

Tracey Boulton is programme leader at PTP, part of the BCTG Group, and is based at the training firm’s offices in Newcastle-under-Lyme.

She explained that 13 staff from Overclockers were already booked onto workshops that would result in Certificates in Principles of Customer Services and Principles of Team Leading.

Ms Boulton said: “We are already discussing the potential progression of staff from the first course onto Customer Service L3 apprenticeships.

“Once the team leading workshops are held, we will also be discussing more progressions to Team Leading/Supervisor L3 and Departmental/Operational Management L5 apprenticeships.”

Melanie Taylor, senior HR and office manager at Overclockers, explained that the company’s relocation to Shelton Boulevard was a symbol of the investment being made back into the business and its colleagues.

She said this had already resulted in the first batch of Overclockers’ technicians and customer support staff completing the Customer Services certificate, which will now benefit customers seeking technical support and sales advice.

Ms Taylor said: “We are providing a modern workplace and facilities with the space to improve the service we offer, enabling us to grow quickly.

“We are also making investments into future growth through education and training, by partnering with PTP to upskill colleagues and find new ways of working to bring even more value to customers, suppliers, partners and stakeholders.

“We’re delighted with the support that PTP has already provided and look forward to developing the workshops that will see many of our staff enrolling onto formal apprenticeship programmes.”

Ends (333 words)

For further information, please contact:

Gill Durkin, Business Executive

Phone: 01543 460050  Mobile: 07734 814905

Email: gill@ptp-training.co.uk

www.ptp-training.co.uk

Prepared and issued by ASAP PR – 07990 978257. 

Note to editors:

PTP Training Ltd is part of the BCTG Group, a West Midlands-based training organisation which supports almost 10,000 young people and adults each year.

The group has ten sites in Birmingham, the Black Country, Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme, and also includes The Apprenticeship Works, BCTG Ltd, Eurosource Solutions and Further Training.

Overall, the group offers 166 different types of apprenticeship, 84 different adult upskilling and reskilling courses and 27 pre-apprenticeship programmes for 16 to 18-year-olds. These include everything from healthcare and early years care to construction, engineering, manufacturing and logistics, through to business skills in IT, management and team leading.

A Black Country care provider supported by training group BCTG has won one of the first Adult Learning Awards from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA).

LJM, based in Brierley Hill, delivers care packages for around 300 individuals in the local community, with services ranging from shopping to dispensing medication.

The company picked up its trophy on Thursday 18 May at the inaugural Adult Learning Awards, which showcased the impact of WMCA-funded adult learning, skills and training courses.

BCTG has worked alongside LJM for the past two years and has successfully delivered 25 Adult Care Diplomas at Levels 2 and 3.

BCTG also ran its first pre-apprenticeship ‘bootcamp’ with LJM, which gave unemployed participants an introduction to the care sector, a short course on care delivery and a work-based experience week, with guaranteed interviews for full-time Level 3 apprenticeships.

Steve Burnet, business development lead coordinator at BCTG, said: “LJM fully deserves this award, as they pride themselves on outstanding customer and client services and are incredibly focused on developing staff within the business.

“We nominated LJM on the back of the tremendous service they provide to the community, as their staff are very passionate about providing the best care service possible and the general welfare of everyone they look after.

“By administrating medication, doing health checks and the like, LJM reduce the need for their service users to contact local GPs, thus reducing the strain on the NHS.

“In times where perhaps the care sector has had its fair share of negative press, it’s very refreshing to see such a people-first focused employer.”

Samantha Little, care manager at LJM, said: “We’re thrilled to have received this award and want to say a big thank you to everyone at BCTG who have supported us in developing the skills of our staff.”

The Adult Learning Awards took place at Conference Aston in Birmingham where Andy Street, the elected mayor of the West Midlands, presented the awards.

The event was hosted by Nicholas Bailey, the Birmingham-born actor, research fellow, writer and coach, best known for playing the role of local GP Dr Anthony Trueman in BBC’s Eastenders from 2000 to 2005.

The awards have been developed in partnership with the Learning and Work Institute.

Ends (373 words)

For further information, please contact:

Rachel Highway

Design & Marketing Co-ordinator, BCTG Group

0121 824 4065

07801 573 623

rachel.highway@bctg.org.uk

Prepared and issued by ASAP PR – 07990 978257.

Note to editors:

The BCTG Group is a West Midlands-based training organisation which supports almost 10,000 young people and adults each year.

The group has ten sites in Birmingham, the Black Country, Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme, and also includes PTP Training Ltd, BCTG Ltd, The Apprenticeship Works, Eurosource Solutions and Further Training.

Overall, the group offers 166 different types of apprenticeship, 84 different adult upskilling and reskilling courses and 27 pre-apprenticeship programmes for 16 to 18-year-olds. These include everything from healthcare and early years care to construction, engineering, manufacturing and logistics, through to business skills in IT, management and team leading.

West Midlands businesses have been urged to seize the opportunity of £1 billion of HS2 contracts that are coming up for grabs this year, at a round table event hosted by national audit, tax, advisory and risk firm Crowe.

At the same time Johnathan Dudley, Crowe’s Midlands and South West Managing Partner and  National Head of Manufacturing, urged the HS2 partnership to use the railway scheme as a platform to revive the UK’s traditional railway engineering industry.

Representatives from the West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA), HS2 construction partner Balfour Beatty Vinci and Birmingham Chamber met with a select group of business leaders at Crowe’s offices at Black Country House in Oldbury.

They outlined the opportunities the rail project offered business, with £1.7 billion in contracts already awarded to West Midlands companies, with another £1 billion of civil engineering contracts due to be awarded by the end of this year.

Businesses were urged to use the HS2 Supply Chain School and online platforms such as CompeteFor to find out how they could win work on the high speed rail scheme.

But Craig Wakeman, Head of Transport Implementation at the Combined Authority, and Matt Munn, Head of Supply Chain Management at Balfour Beatty Vinci, said they were also there to listen.

They encouraged companies to talk about the challenges and issues they had faced trying to secure HS2 contracts, leading to a lively discussion.

Steve Morley, President of the West Bromwich-based Confederation of British Metalforming, said an initial attempt to engage with HS2 by his 200-strong membership two years ago had been “a nightmare”.

Craig Wakeman said this highlighted a “timing issue” – many manufacturers wanted work on the railtrack system and rolling stock contracts, and HS2 plans to issue an update when more information becomes available.

The HS2 team said they would now press for the release of a Gantt chart, which would detail the project’s schedule of procurement from construction through to track and train delivery, giving companies a better idea of when to bid for contracts.

Matt Munn also said the meeting had raised issues over effective communication surrounding information on “meet the buyer” and other HS2 events.

Geoff Archenhold, CEO of Lichfield-based Integrated System Technologies, urged the HS2 design team to engage with small and medium-sized companies at an early stage, saying they could offer levels of innovation often 20 years ahead of general industry thinking.

Craig Wakeman added: “We have always believed that HS2 can bring regeneration and long term economic benefits to the West Midlands, which is why we have adopted the line: ‘Beyond Building a Railway’.

These benefits could continue decades into the future but needed schools to start encouraging more young people to consider engineering as a career.

And he urged businesses in the room to support the establishment of a HS2 Strategic Supply Chain Panel to secure long term benefits for the region.

Johnathan Dudley said: “There are still railway carriages built in Birmingham, in use across the world, today. HS2 provides a golden opportunity to re-establish the British rail industry and its supply chain.

“We are already seeing remarkable work in Dudley and Coventry in the field of very light rail. It’s time to reclaim heavy rail as well. This is a real opportunity to inspire innovation and generate engineering expertise for generations to come. Indeed, much more than ‘building a railway’.

He added: “This round table event has been more successful that we could have hoped, providing a platform for real debate and exchange of views and producing solid results that will benefit both local companies and HS2.

“It proves the value of meeting face-to-face, when both sides come with a positive attitude, prepared to express frank opinions and listen with open minds.

“As a result, we are looking at repeating it in a few months’ time, with a view to making it a regular event on the business calendar.”

Ends (649 words)

Contacts:

• Miriam Sherwood, Director, People Communications & Marketing, Crowe UK. Tel: (0)121 543 1900, sherwood@crowe.co.uk

Notes to Editors:

About us
Crowe is a national audit, tax, advisory and risk firm offering global reach and local expertise. We are an independent member of Crowe Global, one of the top 10 accounting networks in the world. With exceptional knowledge of the business environment, our professionals share one commitment, to deliver excellence.

We are trusted by thousands of clients for our specialist advice, our ability to make smart decisions and our readiness to provide lasting value. Our broad technical expertise and deep market knowledge means we are well placed to offer insight and pragmatic advice to all the organisations and individuals with whom we work. Close working relationships are at the heart of our effective service delivery.

For more information, visit: www.crowe.co.uk

• Follow Crowe UK on LinkedIn
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Crowe industry recognition

• UK Member of one of the top 10 accounting networks in the world (International Accounting Bulletin World Survey 2022)
• Top charity auditor for 14 consecutive years (Charity Financials Auditor Benchmarking and Charity Finance Audit Survey, 2009 – 2022)

• Awarded Silver in the 2022 Citywealth Brand Management and Reputation awards – Best Overall Marketing Campaign category for Your Life Builder
• Awarded Silver in the 2022 Citywealth Magic Circle awards
• Ranked 5^th in the AIM auditors ranking by number of audits (AIM Advisers Rankings Guide, January 2022)
• 9^th largest audit firm in the UK (UK fee income of audit firms that audit PIEs – by fee income on audit, FRC Key Facts and Trends in the Accountancy Profession, Figure 33, July 2021)
• Risk Consultancy of the Year 2022 for the third consecutive year (InsuranceERM)

Two apprentices are helping a disabled fitness company’s expansion of its production and sales of a revolutionary wheelchair treadmill, thanks to Midland training experts Performance Through People (PTP).

Invictus Active, based in Four Ashes, Wolverhampton, was set up by Scott Smith and Paul Cooksey, who are both full-time wheelchair users following spinal cord injuries.

Launched in 2015, the company is now focusing on the market growth of its Invictus Active Trainer, a lightweight, portable fitness machine, similar to a treadmill, which helps wheelchair users to get fit.

With the help of PTP, Invictus Active has recruited Kenzy Wilkins, aged 16, from Wolverhampton, on a Lean Manufacturing Level 2 Apprenticeship, and Michael Hogg, aged 22, of Wombourne, on a Business Administration Level 3 Apprenticeship.

Mr Smith, co-founder of Invictus Active, said: “The recruitment went really well thanks to PTP who screened all the applicants so that we had a good list of suitable people for interview.

“Kenzy started with us in December and is already helping with our development of the warehousing and assembly operations.

“Michael joined us in March to assist with the expansion of our administration and sales, and is quickly picking up the basics of the job.”

Invictus Active supplies many disability products across the world, as well as providing online wheelchair fitness sessions, with the aim of enabling anyone to be as fit and active as possible.

The Invictus Active Trainer has sold more than 1,000 since its launch, and the company is now developing links with gyms and international dealers to accelerate its growth.

Mr Smith added: “The trainer has proved itself as a crucial, life-changing piece of equipment to help wheelchair users who are not fit but want to get fit.

“It’s been used in many situations, from the home to hospitals, and the results it gets are amazing.”

Invictus Active received grants from the Staffordshire Means Back to Business campaign to recruit the two apprentices who have expanded the company’s workforce to six.

Gill Durkin, business executive with PTP, which is part of the BCTG Group, said: “We’ve really enjoyed working with Invictus Active, which is a fascinating company with a growing reputation for assisting wheelchair users with their unique products.

“We were successful in helping them find the apprentices they needed for their expansion and we’ve already heard good reports on their progress.”

Anyone interested in Invictus Active’s products and services can find out more by visiting wwww.invictusactive.com.

Ends (405 words)

For further information, please contact:

Gill Durkin, Business Executive

Phone: 01543 460050  Mobile: 07734 814905

Email: gill@ptp-training.co.uk

www.ptp-training.co.uk

Prepared and issued by ASAP PR – 07990 978257.

Note to editors:

PTP Training Ltd is part of the BCTG Group, a West Midlands-based training organisation which supports almost 10,000 young people and adults each year.

The group has ten sites in Birmingham, the Black Country, Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme, and also includes The Apprenticeship Works, BCTG Ltd, Eurosource Solutions and Further Training.

Overall, the group offers 166 different types of apprenticeship, 84 different adult upskilling and reskilling courses and 27 pre-apprenticeship programmes for 16 to 18-year-olds. These include everything from healthcare and early years care to construction, engineering, manufacturing and logistics, through to business skills in IT, management and team leading.

Likewise Group plc, the fastest growing UK floor coverings distributor, has reported a major increase in sales in the first quarter of 2023, up 19.7% on the same quarter last year.

Across the Likewise-branded businesses, revenue has grown by 25.7%, which the company says reflects a continually improving return on the investment in the sales infrastructure.

The news comes as Likewise announced that the final piece in the group’s logistics jigsaw was close to being confirmed.

Chief executive Tony Brewer said: “Over the last two years the group has made significant progress in developing a comprehensive logistics infrastructure.”

In January 2021, the 80,000 sq ft distribution hub was opened in Leeds, followed in the second half of 2021 with the establishment of the 57,000 sq ft high bay Birmingham Distribution Hub, which became operational in 2022.

In January 2022, the Newcastle business moved into a much-improved logistics centre. The Newbury Logistics Centre opened in July 2022 enabling the group to develop business with customers in the south of England.

The logistics infrastructure continues to develop with the Likewise London business and Floors by Lewis Abbott completing their move to Sidcup in January 2023, providing much improved service to customers in the south east of England.

Likewise Group has now taken possession of the 47,000 sq ft high bay distribution centre in Glasgow. Racking systems and a cutting table are currently being installed and this facility will become operational during Spring 2023 which will allow the business in Scotland to enlarge significantly and also provide additional stocking capacity to support the Likewise logistics network in England and Wales.

Mr Brewer added: “Focus continues to be on relocating A&A in Manchester. While this has been ongoing for some time, we are optimistic of an imminent solution. This is the final piece in this stage of the group’s logistics development.”

He said that Valley Wholesale Carpets Ltd, acquired in January 2022, continues to be an important contributor to group profitability and cashflow, reflecting a particularly positive return on the investment. Valley has now started supplying customers in South Wales and will imminently commence trading in the south west of England.

The group’s distribution hubs in Glasgow, Leeds, Birmingham and Sudbury, the Manchester distribution centre, plus facilities in Newcastle, Newbury and Sidcup in addition to the Valley network in Erith, Derby and Newport now total 15 million cubic feet.

Mr Brewer said: “This will allow Likewise Group to meet its medium term objectives.

“We stated in January that a key focus for this year was to achieve an improving return on the extensive investment in sales representatives and point of sale displays. While we are still in the early stages of this journey with many opportunities before us, there is no doubt that significant progress has been made with a 25.7% increase in Likewise branded revenue.

“Likewise will continue to take a proactive approach to further sales and marketing investment in specific geographical locations. While being very much focused on organic growth, the group will consider further acquisitions if they provide the appropriate strategic rationale.”

In conjunction with all of the above, the group has created the logistics capability to double its current cutting capacity for carpet, residential vinyl and artificial grass.

Mr Brewer said: “This is consistent with the group’s aspirations to have a business well in excess of £200 million group revenue in the medium term.”

Likewise has now become a key funding partner of Carpet Recycling UK, reflecting the group’s contribution to the floor covering industry combined with the wider environmental responsibilities.

The group is also investing in initiatives to recycle cardboard and polythene in addition to 73% of the group’s fleet of cars being electric or hybrid. The group will continue to examine opportunities to improve its ESG credentials.

Likewise Group has a strong balance sheet with net assets of circa £40 million, including freehold property of £21.4 million.

Mr Brewer added: “The group is inherently cash generative which will accelerate as the speed of investment reduces from 2024. While the first three months can only ever provide limited indication of the year as a whole, early trends are positive and the board remains confident in meeting market expectations for 2023.”

Following research by Business Insider Magazine, Likewise was announced as the fastest growing business based in the Midlands over the last three years culminating in 2021. In 2022 the Group grew by a further 104%.

Mr Brewer concluded: “Q1 has been positive, and the group will continue to take market share in existing geographical regions, notwithstanding the huge opportunity as the group moves into new territories.

“The board would again like to thank all 466 staff and management, suppliers, customers and shareholders for their ongoing support and look forward to the future with increasing optimism.”

Likewise will release its Final Results for the year ended 31 December 2022 on 16 May 2023.

Likewise Group includes Likewise Rugs & Matting, Floors by Lewis Abbott, H&V Carpets, Valley Wholesale Carpets and Delta Carpets as well as Likewise-branded divisions in the north, north-east, Midlands, south and south-east and Scotland.

Ends (847 words)

Issued on behalf of Likewise Group plc, Unit 4, Radial Park, Birmingham Business Park, Solihull Parkway, Birmingham B37 7YN

For further information, please contact:

Andy Skinner, at ASAP PR – 07990 978257

Editors’ Notes 

Likewise Group plc is a distributor of floorcoverings and mattings established with the intention of consolidating the domestic and commercial floorcoverings markets to become one of the UK’s largest distributors in this sector. The UK floor and wall covering market is worth circa £3.2 billion and is expected to increase at a compound annual growth rate of 2.1% from 2019 to 2024 to reach £3.5 billion, split between the residential, commercial, public and industrial markets. Likewise Group’s strategy is to focus on the residential and commercial sectors.

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@LikewisePlc

linkedin.com/company/79711376/

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facebook.com/Likewise-Group-PLC-109865531380022

One of UK’s leading providers of the NHS’s 111 helpline has recruited 45 health advisors thanks to a successful course arranged by top Midlands training company BCTG.

DHU Healthcare, which has a new office based in Oldbury, recruited the new staff after they had been on a sector-based work academy programme (SWAP) with CPC Training Consultants Ltd, funded via a sub-contract from BCTG.

Georgia-Louise Silakowski, a recruitment assistant at DHU Healthcare, explained that they had been working on the partnership with CPC since November last year.

Ms Silakowski said: “We have successfully taken on around 45 candidates through our recruitment process and offered them roles as health advisors.

“Working with CPC and their candidates has been a brilliant experience that has not only helped the candidates but also helped us to connect better and prepared us for face-to-face interviewing.

“We have had some really strong candidates start with us thanks to the CPC course supporting them prior to interviewing.

“The candidates that we have taken on have had nothing but positivity towards the course they have completed with CPC, a lot of them being very thankful as they feel it has prepared them extremely well for recruitment and the job role itself.

“We have a high level of unemployment in our local area and the work that CPC are doing is really helping to change that.”

Debbie Small, operations director at CPC which is based in Oldbury, said: “We’re delighted that 98% of those that have attended the SWAP programme at CPC have passed the skills, knowledge and interviews required by DHU.

“They have been now offered employment with DHU pending appropriate references and DBS clearance.”

Natasha Williams, the SWAP lead contract manager at BCTG, said: “We’re so pleased that our project run by CPC has been so successful with finding 45 new staff for DHU.

“We look forward to continuing our work with both organisations to continue providing staff who both want and can qualify for the positions needed.”

Ends (330 words)

For further information, please contact:

Chris Luty, Chairman,

BCTG Group, European Business Park, Taylors Lane, Oldbury, B69 2BN. Tel: 0121 544 6455

Prepared and issued by Andy Skinner, ASAP PR – 07990 978257

Note to editors:

BCTG Group is a West Midlands-based training organisation which supports almost 10,000 young people and adults each year.

The group has ten sites in Birmingham, the Black Country, Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme, and includes PTP Training, trading as Performance Through People, BCTG Ltd, Eurosource Solutions, Further Training and The Apprenticeship Works.

The group offers 166 different types of apprenticeship, 84 different adult upskilling and reskilling courses and 27 pre-apprenticeship programmes for 16 to 18-year-olds. These include everything from healthcare and early years care to construction, engineering, manufacturing and logistics, through to business skills in IT, management and team leading.

Young people interested in starting a career in the care sector are being invited to enrol on a new pre-apprenticeship course with top Midlands training company BCTG.

The six-week programme runs from 6 March and is available to people aged between 19 and 29 who live in the West Midlands and are not in current employment, education or training.

Those taking part will have a work experience placement with LJM Homecare in Brierley Hill, plus a guaranteed interview for a Level 2 Adult Care Worker Apprenticeship with the company after completing the course.

Lindsay Nearn, chief executive at LJM Homecare, said: “We passionately believe in providing everything we possibly can to maintain people’s dignity, maintain their lifestyles within their own homes and really help them to live every single moment they possibly can.

“Getting younger blood into our workforce is always exciting, as we can embed in them what the standards are, what the quality is and help them to understand the real difference they’re making.

“By developing staff with those high standards, they are then changing somebody’s day, every single day.

“There are some really good prospects and career pathways emerging in social care, where people can learn empathy, how to communicate, and all about morals and ethics that you can then put into any job that you go on to do.

“I do think people are amazed at how much they can actually give and the differences they make to people by giving really good care: it’s life changing.”

Stephen Burnet, business development lead coordinator at BCTG, said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for young people who are interested in the care sector to take a detailed look at what roles are available with a quality employer.”

Mr Burnet explained that the course would include support with English, maths and digital skills, pre-employment training and instruction in safeguarding, medication, moving and positions, plus health and safety.

The work experience involves shadowing experienced workers at LJM Homecare, plus mentoring from someone at that company, with BCTG providing enhanced DBS legal checks for those on the course.

He added: “The real bonus will be a guaranteed interview for an apprenticeship at LJM Homecare once the course has been completed.”

The Path 2 Apprenticeship run by BCTG is one of the programmes that has been backed by a £200,000 grant from the West Midlands Combined Authority.

Anyone interested in joining the six-week pre-apprenticeship programme can attend one of BCTG’s information sessions which are to be held at 11am on Monday 27 and Tuesday 28 February at The Apprenticeship Works, 330 High Street, West Bromwich B70 8DJ.

For more details, email Jenni Carnell at jenni.carnell@bctg.org.uk or call 0121 824 4070.

Ends (448 words)

For further information, please contact:

Chris Luty, Chairman,

BCTG Group, European Business Park, Taylors Lane, Oldbury, B69 2BN. Tel: 0121 544 6455

Prepared and issued by Andy Skinner, ASAP PR – 07990 978257

Note to editors:

BCTG Group is a West Midlands-based training organisation which supports almost 10,000 young people and adults each year.

The group has ten sites in Birmingham, the Black Country, Staffordshire and Newcastle-under-Lyme, and includes PTP Training, trading as Performance Through People, BCTG Ltd, Eurosource Solutions, Further Training and The Apprenticeship Works.

The group offers 166 different types of apprenticeship, 84 different adult upskilling and reskilling courses and 27 pre-apprenticeship programmes for 16 to 18-year-olds. These include everything from healthcare and early years care to construction, engineering, manufacturing and logistics, through to business skills in IT, management and team leading.