Reliance Precision

An engineering firm looking forward to its centenary in 2020 has put apprentice training at the heart of its business.

Reliance Precision, based at Lepton, has finalised a five-year business plan taking the Lepton-based firm up to that milestone date.

Marketing manager Kathryn Hullah said: “It has been a catalyst for thinking about what sort of organisation with what sort of people we want to be by the time we reach our 100 year anniversary. This plan is about who we are, what skills and capabilities and aptitudes we need to succeed at the challenging extremes of engineering.”

Reliance Precision Ltd Managing Director Andrew Wright with apprentices Bradley Jessop, David Black and Thomas Broom - Rowley Mills, Penistone Road, Fenay Bridge, Huddersfield.

Key to its future is investment in apprenticeships. Said Kathryn: “Apprentices are essential to balance the age profile of the company, building our next generation of specialist engineering and manufacturing teams and developing our future managers and company directors.”

The firm now has 17 apprentices at its Rowley Mills site – 10% of the workforce. Engineering activity covered by its apprentices has also widened from a focus on specialist machining skills to include broader engineering skills in areas like estimating, metrology and production engineering.

Suma Wholefoods

Investment in training is a key component to the success of workers’ co-operative Suma Wholefoods.

The Elland-based vegetarian food wholesaler is owned by its 132 members, who all have an equal interest and control in the business – and are jointly responsible for its success.

Marketing and brand spokeswoman Sheree Hatton said: “We meet regularly to debate issues and strategies, decisions are agreed by majority voting. Suma moves forward to continued and greater success with the commitment of its workforce. We are the decision-makers and we measure success as much in being a quality place to work as in net profit at year end – a challenging balancing act at times.”

Multi-tasking is part of the job description with a commitment to sharing out jobs and doing a fair share of less popular roles. Suma operates a variety of shifts to provide flexible working. All workers get the same hourly pay whatever their position and 50% of profits are pumped back into the business and 50% shared equally as an annual bonus.

One17

A commitment to training and development is paying dividends for One 17 Architects & Interior Designers.

The firm is the lead company of a group of businesses offering design-related services and dating back to 1960.

Specialising in bespoke residential properties, the practice handles new build and works to existing buildings, including historical and ecclesiastical buildings.

The group, based at Armitage Bridge and employing 25 people, also has operations covering project management, structural design and graphic communication as well as design for education. In addition, the One 17 Design Charitable Trust provides financial and hands-on support to improve the lives of people in the local community.

One 17 Design logo
One 17 Design logo

Caroline Lee, head of community liaison, said: “At One 17 we have a firm commitment to development and training, starting at absolute grassroots level with the students that join us each year. In the past 12 months, we have had 18 pupils on work experience and two university students on longer-term paid work placements.”

A quarter of its current staff first came to the office on work experience and many of the university students continue on a part-time basis to enhance their academic studies and gain practical experience. One 17 supports junior members of staff to do day-release courses to gain formal qualifications and accreditations to professional institutes.

There is a commitment to staff mentoring, encouraging development of new skills and responsibilities. Said Caroline: “We are fully committed to the well-being of our staff, which makes for a very positive workforce.”