Issue3 Dec. 2017 - the dedicated newsletter of Maxim Business Training

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First things first: Macclesfield College and Maxim Business Training played host to a key businessbreakfast event, attended by more than 50 local SME leaders, to present the new ESF-funded courses.

A good morning’s work for Maximand SMEs across East Cheshire

Maxim helps raiseawareness of mentalhealth issues in theworkplace

2016-17 was an outstanding academic year for MacclesfieldCollege, for many reasons. Notleast its exciting new partnershipwith the European Social Fund(ESF).

This pioneering initiative for EastCheshire has seen the College - viaMaxim Business Training - developand deliver bespoke teaching programmes for businesses acrossthe region, thanks to funding fromthe EU and the Education and SkillsFunding Agency.

On Thursday 14th September, Macclesfield College and MaximBusiness Training played host to a high-profile Business GrowthInformation Breakfast event, designed to help local SMEs makethe most of the exciting new opportunities generated by this strategic partnership.

Taking place between 8:30am and10:00am in the College’s Silk Roomtraining restaurant, this key eventwas attended by more than 50delegates from SMEs across EastCheshire and beyond.

Director of Employer Enterprise &Commercial Services, Tracy Cosgrave

chaired the event, and presentedinformation on the College’s new,fully-funded training programmes in curriculum areas such as Management, Human Resources,First Aid, Customer Services andHealth & Social Care, amongst others. Each of these programmes isaimed at helping SMEs to optimisetheir day-to-day business efficienciesand realise their growth aspirations.

These bespoke programmes can bedelivered on the College campus orin the workplace, causing minimaldisruption to day-to-day businessoperations, and ensuring allemployees are able to attend.

The Breakfast meetingwas a huge successand will be followed upby a similar event takingplace on Wednesday

8th November, at the East CheshireChamber of Commerce & EnterpriseHQ in Congleton. “It was a rewardingmorning for all concerned,” commentsTracy Cosgrave. “We pride ourselveson being a College that works withthe local business community, andI’m looking forward to the next eventwith a keen sense of anticipation.”

FOLLOWING their return to workfor Academic Year 2017-18, staff atMacclesfield College and Maxim -its dedicated employer-responsivearm - underwent a full trainingprogramme centred on mentalhealth awareness, and how todeal with any potential issues in a positive and sympathetic way.

Currently high on the Government’sagenda, this programme was devisedto help all staff College-wide learn torecognise the early signs of mentalunease within any of their students,and how to maintain a healthy andbalanced environment within theirclassrooms.

At the end of October, attentions thenturned to apprentices with a two-dayprogramme of interactive workshops,developed to help them exploremental health issues for themselves,and their various implications for theworkplace.

With the increase in apprenticeshipnumbers that we are beginning to see,following the introduction of the Levyback in April of this year, employers,Colleges and professional trainingproviders, like Maxim, are looking attheir infrastructures, and at ways inwhich they can (See Overleaf)

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Maxim makes new bond with renowned paper specialist

support young people on courseswho may be experiencing symptomsof mental ill-health.

If mental health is not addressed appropriately and effectively, it canhave a negative long-term impact onpeople’s lives. Recent statistics haveshown that, when someone with amental health condition falls out ofwork, it is much harder for them tosecure another job - more even thansomeone with a physical disability.

October saw the publication of ‘Thriving at Work’, a wide-reaching, independent report commissioned

by the Government and co-authoredby Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of mental health charity ‘Mind’ and LordDennis Stevenson, the former Chairof HBOS (Halifax Bank of Scotland).

The premise of this report is the UKis facing a mental health challenge at work, which is much larger thanwas first thought. According to itsunderlying research, around 300,000people with a long-term mental healthissue lose their jobs each year, about15% of people currently in workhave symptoms of an existing mentalhealth condition, and there is an annual cost to UK employers ofbetween £33 billion and £42 billion.

‘Thriving at Work’ sets out a veryclear business imperative for theeffective management of mentalhealth in the modern workplace. It recommends that all employers, irrespective of their size, shouldadopt a set of core standards

regarding mental health, to helpthem formulate a clear work plan,provide the best possible workingconditions and promote effectivepeople management. Moreover, this broad-based report encouragesemployers to develop better mentalhealth awareness in the workplace,and to routinely monitor employeemental health and wellbeing.

The two-day interactive workshops,held at the College campus by MaximBusiness Training (Monday 23rd andTuesday 24th October), were devisedto help young apprentices lay thegroundwork for their careers, bygaining awareness of core mentalhealth issues within the workplace,and how to take a positive attitudetowards people who have mentalhealth issues.

Developed by Maxim staff and ledby the College’s Employability andCommunity Learning Tutor, AngelaMatthews, these workshops also provided the opportunity for youngpeople to examine perceptions andchallenge pre-conceived ideas withinsociety, regarding mental health.

MAXIM has just put pen to paperwith renowned speciality card andboard manufacturer, Slater Harrison,to help take its business adminand training management schemesto the next level of functional andoperational excellence.

Founded way back in 1929, Bollington-based Slater Harrison is a leadingmanufacturer, supplier and exporterof high quality, speciality card, papersand board in a wide range of finishes,colours and thicknesses. At present,

the company employs around 70 full-time staff. Moreover, it is currentlyexperiencing a significant upturn indemand for its unparalleled productrange, including a highly successfulselection of exclusive, patented linessuch as EduCraft, Centura Pearl andColourmount, which are establishedbrands in the education, arts & crafts,picture-framing and greetings sectors.

Maxim wascontacted bySlater Harrison’s

Commercial Manager, Nick Murphyin the summer, to assist this long-established company in preparingfor the next 80 years of success, byimproving and developing its existingbusiness administration and trainingmanagement schemes.

“As domestic and worldwide demandfor our range of products continues togrow,” states Nick Murphy, “so too

does our need to recruit and nurtureyoung talent from the Macclesfieldand wider East Cheshire area, to helpus expand and grow as a company.

“We were attracted to MacclesfieldCollege and Maxim Business Training,by its growing reputation as an FE andHE provider,” continues Nick, “and byits impressive performance in theapprenticeships sector over the pastcouple of years. With Maxim at ourside, we are confident in our abilityto train and develop the right youngpeople to help us take the proudname of Slater Harrison forward.”

At present, Maxim has placed a numberof apprentices with Slater Harrison,and initial results and reports havebeen extremely encouraging. Thenew business admin and technicalmanagement schemes are scheduledto run until summer 2018, with thedefinite prospect of full-time positionsfor the most successful candidates.

Maxim helps raise awareness of mentalhealth issues in the workplace (con.)

On a roll: Bollington-based speciality card, paperand board manufacturer Slater Harrison is currentlyexperiencing strong demand for its products.

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It’s onwards and upwards forMacclesfield College alumniIN this edition of ‘Maxim News’, we are catching up with formerMacclesfield College learners, andlooking in on the new careers theyare forging with employers acrossthe East Cheshire region, with the help of Maxim, the College’semployer-responsive arm.

Falan Barton - Bollington MedicalCentreFollowing her studiesin Level 2 Art &Design, Falan wassuccessful in securingan apprenticeship position with local

NHS employer, Bollington Medical Centre. Her day-to-day duties includevarious business admin tasks andthe centre’s Business Manager, Trish Atkinson is delighted with herprogress. “Falan is a pleasure towork with. She’s very courteous andbenefits from a passionate and hard-working approach to her position.”

Jake Petrie - Autorola Ltd.A very popular figureat the College, Jake Petrie completed hisLevel 2 Diploma in Business and Admin,before accepting an exciting apprentice

role at Macclesfield-based global onlinevehicle re-marketing specialist, Autorola.“Jake has a great appetite for work, andhis personality is making him a verylikeable figure in the office,” says UKOperations Director, Neil Frost. Nowa full-time employee, Jake’s role is inSales Support, which includes liaisingwith transport firms to move sold vehicles and deal with vehicle appraisals,producing and sending invoices andhelping to process grievances.

Emma Higinbotham - Autorola Ltd.A model learner during her time at Macclesfield College,Emma gained her Level 2 Diploma in Business and Admin,before leaving to take

up her new position at Autorola. Workingalongside her fellow College alumnusJake Petrie in Sales Support, Emma’sdaily duties include arranging transportand recording vehicle appraisals, dealingwith mail and vehicle documents, andgeneral admin. “Like Jake, Emma is areal credit to herself and the College,”confirms Neil Frost. “She is very bright,determined and ambitious and I’m sureshe will go far in the world of work.”

Janine Oldfield - East CheshireNHS TrustA highly focused and driven individual,Janine joined the Clinical Skills Team at the East Cheshire NHS Trust, as an

Administration apprentice on a 12month fixed-term contract.

Over the last year, Janine has learnthow to set up and support simulationevents with the clinical trainers, as wellas handling day-to-day administrativeduties. She has also recently sat herLevel 2 Amspar examination, as wellas continuing with her Level 2 BusinessAdministration apprenticeship. “Janine has been a real breath offresh air since she’s joined us,” saysthe Trust’s Workforce DevelopmentAdvisor, Elaine Bradbury. “We weredelighted to be in a position to be ableto offer her a permanent contract following the completion of herLevel 2 and are looking forward toher developing her skills further.”

Rosie Fenlon - Solo Containment

Local containment specialist, Solo Containment Ltd. is the current employer of Level 4AAT student Rosie Fenlon. Rosie is in

third year of her apprenticeship withSolo. “Rosie is a hard-working,adaptable and conscientious additionto our team,” says Director CarolineRyder.“She learned quickly to adaptto the business environment andtransfers her college skills readily.”

Next generation investment: Lucideon is lookingto the future, with its latest apprenticeship drive.

Maxim and Lucideonmake perfect formula

MAXIM has entered into the nextstage of a new partnership withleading materials technology firm,Lucideon, to create new scienceapprenticeship courses to help thecompany support sustained growthand ensure its long-term success.

Based in Stoke-on-Trent, Lucideon -formerly known as Ceram here in the UK and M+P Labs in the US - is a global business that applies itsunrivalled mechanical expertise in ceramics, metals and polymers toa range of sectors including nuclearand power generation, aerospace,construction and healthcare.

Earlier this year, Maxim was involvedin the recruitment and delivery of fiveapprentices to work in the Lucideonlaboratories, as well as in marketingand administration roles. Over thenext five years, Lucideon is committedto recruiting and developing around20 new trainees, offering a structured,high quality programme which willbuild on its established reputation for excellence in apprenticeships provision.

“Our association with Lucideon beganin March of this year, when we helpedto recruit and train their first cohort ofapprentices,” comments Maxim’sSTEM Development Manager, SineadMusgrave. “Now we are entering intothe second phase, by supplying andtraining candidates in a range of science-based apprenticeships, including scientific management.

“Lucideon operates at the forefront ofits sector both nationally and globally,”concludes Sinead, “Therefore, it needsto invest in its next generation of talent,to ensure it retains its industry-leadingposition long into the future. We aredelighted to be a part of this excitingscheme, and look forward to seeingour learners excel in their new roles.”

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Engineering company Statiflo hiresSeb as its first-ever apprentice

Three dimensional learning: 18 year-old A’ Level Graduate Sebastian Freke-Morin (pictured right), isembarking upon a career in engineering with Macclesfield-based static mixing and chemical processingspecialist Statiflo, mentored by company Founder John Baron (pictured left) and MD Gareth Fry (centre).

Maxim on hand to take HR trainingto the next level of excellence

A TEENAGER plans to become thethird generation of his family towork as an engineer, after joiningMacclesfield company Statiflo asits first-ever apprentice.

Macclesfield-born Sebastian Freke-Morin, 18, is looking to follow in thecareer footsteps of his father Alan,who works as a design engineer,and grandfather Fred, who was thechief engineer at pharmaceutical firm Beechams in St. Helens, Lancashire. Seb has begun a three-year programme as a technical apprentice at Statiflo, after passinghis A-levels at Macclesfield College.

Statiflo is a world leader in the designand distribution of static mixers andother chemical process equipment.It supplies the water and wastewatertreatment industries, oil and gas,petrochemical, food, pharmaceutical,pulp and paper sectors.

The company’s static mixers are alsoused to produce everyday goods suchas beer, ice cream, yoghurts, cosmeticsand detergents. Company MD GarethFry said: “We have a niche range ofproducts and need to nurture our ownengineers to help ensure our continuedsuccess. I’m hugely passionate about apprenticeships, as I began my career

in the same way. Seb stood out fromthe many applicants, and we are delighted to welcome him into thebusiness. He comes from a family ofengineers and we believe he will bea real asset to the team.”

Seb’s mentor will be Statiflo founderJohn Baron. John, 67, established thebusiness in 1983 in a spare bedroomat his home in Wilmslow. He sold amajority stake to Gareth last year,but has remained as Chairman.

“John has over 40 years of chemicalengineering and process knowledgeand experience,” says Gareth, “andhe is a wonderful teacher. Having Johnas a mentor is a fantastic opportunityfor Seb, as he learns the practical skillswhich will enable him to become awell-rounded member of the team.”

Seb is receiving training at MacclesfieldCollege one day a week and spendsthe rest of his working week at Statiflo. He will work in differentparts of the business, including engineering and sales.

Seb said: “The role at Statiflo ticksmany boxes for me, as it focuses ontechnical design. The company uses3D printing for rapid prototyping andI have built a 3D printer in my owntime, so this also really attracted meto the business.”

CIPD courses remain high on theagenda at Macclesfield College, viaits dedicated employer-responsivearm, Maxim Business Training.

This September saw more than 20young and adult learners enrol on the

College’s high quality CIPD Level 5HR programme.

Targeted at current and aspiring HRprofessionals looking to move theircareers forward, this CIPD-approvedLevel 5 course - devised and deliveredby Maxim Business Training - providesa deep and detailed understanding of HR skills, functions and issues.

It also gives enrollees a platform on which they can build theirorganisational performance, by applying fundamental and strategicHR policies and interventions.

Furthermore, it is also designed toenable potential and existing HR

professionals alike to gain practicaland useful insights into a wholerange of everyday, workplace HRissues, such as best business practice, talent planning and rewardmanagement.

Founded in 1913, theChartered Institute of Professional

Development is the world’s oldestassociation in its field, with more than135,000 members internationallyworking across private, public andvoluntary sectors.

“All learners who enrolled on theLevel 5 HR course are progressingwell,” confirms Director of EmployerEnterprise & Commercial Services,Tracy Cosgrave, “and we are currentlyin the final stages of the recruitmentprocess for our next cohort in January.”