Train to Gain case studies

Train to Gain training has already made a huge difference to dog groomer Karen Whitehead’s work and prospects. She has become her own boss, increased her potential earnings and confirmed her professional reputation. 

 

Kevin Wheatley has seen and experienced training from all angles – as a trainer, college tutor, recipient, supervisor and employer.

 

He believes the many demands of modern day working life make training essential for every business, both at management and employee levels. 

 

Tina Brown, owner of the Foxholes Animal Hotel in West Yorkshire, has a great deal to celebrate this year. The business has reached an important milestone - its 20th birthday - and four members of staff are working towards important professional qualifications through the Train to Gain initiative.

 

Tina Brown is convinced that training is always essential, especially at a time when competition for customers is likely to increase.

 

When after 20 years as a butcher Craig Price decided on a total career change, he launched his own landscaping business - turning his hobby into a profession. Demand for the services of All Seasons Gardening in Cleethorpes in Lincolnshire has already grown so much since 2006 that he is ‘branching out’ with a franchise.  Learning new skills for working with trees through Train to Gain will make a dramatic difference this year - expanding the scope of Craig’s services, extending his busy season well into the winter, and generating more income and potential for further training for him and his staff.

 

Duncan Henderson began his horticultural career as an apprentice with Bristol City Council and rose to become Operations Manager and a training pioneer with Kirklees Council in Yorkshire.

 

 

 

Award-winning Yorkshire farrier Steve Hewitt, of Thick Penny Forge at Moor Monkton near York, has spent more than half of his 22-year career training apprentices. Now he and eight other Yorkshire farriers are taking more training themselves - through Lantra and the Train to Gain initiative which provides advice and support, and helps them find funding.

 

  

“Train to Gain is fantastic. Johnsons of Whixley is a family business that really wants employees to grow and develop. It has always had a reputation for always doing the best by its staff and making the best of them too,” says Helen Straw. “It’s part of what attracted me to work for them.”

 

  

Martin Lennon will help kick-start a Train to Gain programme for more than 20 UPM Tilhill employees based in North Yorkshire - rising to 80 by 2010. Support from Train to Gain has helped the company access European Social Fund money to offset some of the cost of training and enable us to offer a wide range of courses more quickly, efficiently and effectively, bringing benefits to both individuals and the company.