Doncaster-based engineering firm benefits from Skills Bank support

A Doncaster-based production engineering company has benefited from bespoke software training part-funded through South Yorkshire Skills Bank.

Polydon Industries manufactures components, assemblies and equipment for industries including oil and gas, agriculture, rail, defence and energy.

South Yorkshire Growth Hub's business advisers recommended that Polydon Industries could upskill a number of its staff through bespoke training on a 3D software design system it had recently bought called SolidWorks.

SolidWorks put together a bespoke training plan, based on Polydon's requirements, which involved nine staff undertaking four days of intensive training in sales, design, development and manufacture using its latest software.

Thanks to the software and the Skills Bank training, Polydon Industries has now extended its product design capabilities, which includes carrying out stress analysis of materials for the production of components for industries including oil and gas, agriculture, rail, defence and the energy sectors.

Harold Howard, managing director at Polydon Industries, said: "Overall as a business we have been able to become more competitive, increase our turnover and access markets that we could not have done before as we can now offer a full design package. We have been able to attract new customers and now work with businesses on a global basis offering them a fully animated 3D design which we can prototype and test before it goes into manufacture. These capabilities really do give us a competitive edge.

"The Skills Bank funding has made a real difference as it has enabled us to extend our services and enhance our capabilities. It means we are much more a design and development-focused business, rather than being purely a manufacturer. The training has enabled staff to get the most out of the SolidWorks software package along with making our whole sales, design and manufacturing processes more efficient."

Julie Mather, skills adviser at the South Yorkshire Growth Hub, added: "It is fantastic to hear that Polydon Industries has experienced such a major impact to its business since staff undertook the Skills Bank training. 

"Since the pandemic, many manufacturers have taken advantage of Skills Bank funding to enable their staff to enhance their skills. This is having major benefits in enabling them to meet industry challenges and address the skills shortage that exists across many sectors."

Original Source

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Would upskilling your employees help your business to grow?

The Business Doncaster Advance Team can support and advise your business on a range of options to upskill your workforce.

They can guide you through the application for Skills Bank funding, and other schemes, to help you train and develop your team and boost business.

Skills Bank is a flexible pot of funding that can provide bespoke, tailored training which directly meets the needs of employers and enables you to choose the training provider you use. If training for you or your employees would help your business to develop or grow, you may be eligible for partial funding.

 

Please contact our Advance Team for more information on: 01302 735554, email: advance@doncaster.gov.uk or click the link below: