Construction, Trowel and Carpentry Apprenticeships

Level Construction is one of Cornwall’s finest quality builders. They offer project management service including planning, organisation and direction of resources. Green and sustainable building is something Level Construction champions creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource efficient is the future of construction.

What were the business issues or challenges that have been addresses through apprenticeships?

Finding the right workforce is key to the success of any business. Level Construction aims to have a skilled workforce to ensure they deliver high quality work to stand out from their competitors. By taking on apprentice’s and supporting them through their programmes Level Construction knows they have a workforce that will deliver quality as they have helped develop their skills to fit their businesses requirements.

The training undertook:

Daniel has been employing apprentices since 2010 and supports them through Site Carpentry or Trowel apprenticeship programmes.

What’s the impact and benefits of having apprentices within the company?

The benefits of taking on apprentices for Level Construction included having an understanding of their capabilities, developing their skills in new techniques as well as traditions methods. Over all developing a workforce that has pride in their work and who work towards a common goal.

“The great thing about apprenticeships is that they give you the opportunity to educate your workforce towards a common goal. They enable you to teach them the relevant skills, knowledge and values. As a result your workforce will produce higher standards of work your business demands to be competitive.”

Daniel Lees, Managing Director

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Customer Service Training for Your Business

M A Grigg started in 1970 as an agriculture merchant dealing with the local farmers. Since then the business has grown from a one man band to an organisation employing over 40 staff and dealing with the general public, builders, gardeners as well as farmers throughout Cornwall. The business has grown by giving good personal service.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

The company has been very successful in meeting the customer needs, but wanted to offer training to their staff. New employees had started, but limited product training was given and they wanted to introduce the company’s mission. The company didn’t have a company tree to identify people’s positions and responsibilities within the business.

The training undertook:

Working with Grigg’s we came up with a tailored Customer Experience Workshop and a Telephone Technique Workshop. The Customer Experience Workshop was delivered to every member of staff ensuring the same message of what the company is about, what is expected from each member of staff and what the company will do for each staff. The company tree was explained to all, for clarity of responsibilities.

The Telephone Technique Workshop was introduced to all staff in the retail side of the business, so that they were uniformed in the way they answered the telephones, messages were taken with the correct information so that they could raise their level of customer service.

What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?

Griggs experienced some resistance towards the training proposed where some staff was not looking forward to it. However, after each training day, everyone remarked on how much they got from the workshops and how professional the trainer was.  As a result we hope that all of Grigg’s staff has been more positive in their work since their training.

With the increase of competition in their market place the training will help Grigg’s to stand out from the crowd giving great customer service.

“CCB made sure that the courses were tailored to cover all aspects of what we wanted and nothing was too much trouble. The trainers were fantastic and our staff liked the way the courses were presented.”

Trevor Goodman, Manager, M A Grigg

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High quality training for your hotel staff

Inspired by its location, Watergate Bay Hotel has developed an ethos that’s at the heart of everything they offer: ‘active relaxation’, striking a balance between getting outdoors, being social and finding some quiet time.

Employing more than 250 staff their sense of hospitality is of providing an open house. Facilities within their 69 bedroom hotel include a 25-metre infinity pool, treatment rooms, a café bar and cardio room, fitness classes. They also run active breaks. The food in their three restaurants – The Living Space, Zacry’s and The Beach Hut – makes the very best of seasonal Cornish produce.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

Watergate Bay Hotel partnered in the ‘Experts Grow’ project funded by the UK Commission for Employment and Skills (UKCES) along with Jamie Oliver’s Fifteen Cornwall, St Austell Brewery, Cornwall College and Visit Cornwall. The project aims to increase the productivity and perceived value of hospitality skills, and to develop professional opportunities within the hospitality industry.

UKCES identified the hospitality and retail sectors as industries with some of the lowest pay rates in the country. As many as one in three households in Cornwall has someone working in hospitality.

Watergate Bay Hotel aimed to use the resources of this project to invest in their own people-development to make a positive impact for members of their team.

The training undertook:

Watergate Bay Hotel invested in a wide range of training for their staff including a number of Level 2 and 3 NVQs in: Kitchen, Front Desk, Housekeeping, Bar and Restaurant. They also took on an IT Apprentice along with upskilling some of their Manager in TAQA qualifications to enable them to conduct their own in-house training in the future.

What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?

The hotel set up their own ‘Watergate Bay Academy’ with a dedicated training coordinator. The Academy offers a wide range of job related qualifications to their current staff as well as being able to show new members of the team the training opportunities they present. They created a six-month induction plan for all new members of the team linking to annual appraisals. The Academy is also able to offer other team members who complete a Level 2 or 3 qualifications an increase in pay to acknowledge their progression and commitment. Investing in their team has improved productivity, customer experience and, ultimately, raised take-home pay for low paid workers.

“When we recruit we look for personality and a positive attitude as much as skills and experience. The college took this into consideration when shortlisting for our IT Apprentice role. Three of our kitchen staff has recently completed their level two NVQs which has led to another six of the team signing up to complete their qualifications. We have a number of front of house staff completing their level twos in different areas too, along with our heads of departments studying towards their TAQA qualifications. Watergate has become a real learning environment with current NVQ students inspiring future learners with the help of Cornwall College.”
Emma Neave, HR Manager Watergate Bay Hotel

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Do you run a food & drink business? Do you need to improve your skills in Food Safety?

Crantock has been in business since 1981 and under its current ownership since 2002. Now employing over 170 staff, Crantock was originally recognised predominately as a pasty manufacturer. The management team and its staff have worked hard to grow and diversify the business and now produce a wide range of products from its purpose built site, specialising in own label production for high street retail, foodservice, travel and multiples.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

Over the last 12 months they have taken the opportunity to train some of their key staff to underpin the knowledge necessary to operate in food manufacturing. By allowing people the time to understand the principles of food safety and health and safety they now have a basic platform to upskill their teams across the site.

The training they undertook:

Crantock undertook the following training courses, Managing Safety Level 3, HACCP Principles at Level 2 and 3, along with Food Safety Level 3.

What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?

The training has encouraged their first level managers in the business to operate their areas of controls in a safe manner, implementing their technical systems, such as allergen control and HACCP with confidence and knowledge.

Following the training Crantock are now in a position to carry out more specific training for their staff. They have taken on two Engineering Apprentices with the intention that they will qualify and become their engineers and possible managers of the future.

Crantock are really excited to be teaming up with Duchy College to offer the opportunity of employment alongside the chance to complete a Food Science Degree. This will open doors not only for their current staff but new staff. Crantock believe that it is crucial to invest in their staff providing them with opportunities to upskill.

“The training to-date has provided a platform for future development allowing us to train our staff, with the intent that we will reduce waste, increase yield and productivity by having a skilled and engaged workforce.” 

Tracey Weeks - Operations Manager, Crantock Bakery.

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The benefit of a Leadership and Management Course

As Chartered Surveyors, Miller Commercial are one of the market leaders in Devon and Cornwall in terms of size, breadth of experience, depth of knowledge, and sheer number of transactions successfully concluded. They specialise in all aspects of commercial property, including vacant property, business transfer, professional services and property management.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

Graham Timmins, Head of Business Transfer leads a successful team but wanted to take a step back, to think out-side the box through a learning environment to review his own mind-set and team’s direction by using theoretical and practical tools.

The training undertook:

Graham undertook ILM Level 3 Leadership and Management course.

What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?

The course has empowered Graham to take a more holistic view of his team and other colleagues within Miller’s. By stepping back and reviewing the whole issue, specific project or KPI’s transitions of change can be managed effectively. Training offers delegates a great way to step out of their day-to-day working environment, meet like-minded professionals to analysis situations and gain insight or fresh ideas.

“The training came at a pivotal time in the evolution of Miller Commercial and my departments’ team make-up and as such provided the tools to accept and implement change.”Graham Timmins - Head of Business Transfer, Miller Commercial.

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Procurement Training for Local Authority

Plymouth City Council is a unitary authority, which means it is responsible for all local services including transport, social care and waste management. Many of the services they provide are statutory responsibilities but must be delivered alongside other priorities for the City.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

Plymouth City Council is dedicated to supporting staff development and offers their junior staff the opportunity to gain national, international and globally recognised qualifications.  Nothing stands still in the public sector and with increasing regulations and budget cuts the need for advanced procurement performance has never been greater.  

The training undertook:

Nemone West, Procurement Officer undertook CIPS Procurement and Supply Diploma Level 4.

What impacts and benefits has the training had?

The CIPS training has enabled Nemone to make links to the tasks she carries out on a daily basis with the wider world of Procurement as a profession. Nemone mentioned that the course made her more open-minded to the different types of Buyer/Procurement roles out there. Working in the public sector presents exciting challenges not otherwise present in private industry because of the Public Contract Regulations to which Plymouth City Council must adhere to as a Contracting Authority. Meeting others that work in Procurement and hearing how they operate within their companies and organisations was really useful to take back to the workplace.

"The CIPS training has enabled me to upskill in Procurement, taking on more responsibility and operate as part of team to effectively manage the Council’s supply chain to reduce costs and improve quality".Nemone West, Procurement Officer

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Catering & Hospitality Apprenticeships for Cornish Hotels

The Scarlet and Bedruthan are two hotels set into the clifftop above Mawgan Porth beach in North Cornwall. Owned by the same family, they are committed to sustainably offering guests luxurious experiences that don’t cost the earth. Bedruthan opened in 1959 with furniture from the iconic designers of the era: Charles Eames, Harry Bertoia and Terence Conran alongside vibrant purple carpets and astounding orange rugs and bed spreads – this was the sixties after all! The building is inspired by Richard Neutra and is a classic example of the architecture of that time. The Scarlet was opened in 2006, a ground-breaking design built to the highest eco standards. Both the interior and exterior design of the Scarlet embraces the building’s stunning cliff top location and reflects its natural environment through the sensuous use of materials and design. Their ethos is to take a truly holistic view, treating each guest as an individual, caring for and nurturing their staff and their environment so that everything they do contributes to the wider wellbeing of the planet, their customers and their team. 

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

Due to the size and nature of the hotels gardens it was difficult to maintain and develop them solely by the head gardener. They required another person who would be enthusiastic, energetic and adaptable within their role. At this point they discussed how they would get the correct candidate and the idea of employing an apprentice was suggested. The hotels have had great success in other  areas with apprentices, and they were particularly pleased with the flexibility and eagerness that they presented. Red Hotels took on a Horticultural apprentice, Finlay. 

Recruiting their apprentices:

CCB’s Apprenticeship Recruitment Team supported Red Hotels at each step of the process, fitting alongside their own recruitment process and advertising channels.  CCB’s Recruitment advisor; Claire, worked with them to develop their apprenticeship vacancy, before uploading it onto the National Apprenticeship Services website.  Claire worked with Red Hotels internal candidate application system, which they gave her access to so that she could review each applicant and record her notes on her initial thoughts after telephone interviews.  In particular, her advice that candidates who did not have the necessary grades could be assessed to gain such grades was highly appropriate as their successful candidate was in that situation.

What impacts and benefits has the apprentice had on the company?

Finlay has been a huge success and help. He has allowed the head gardener to develop some key areas of the gardens that are now looking outstanding. They believe that they would have struggled to find another candidate that has been so interested and enthusiastic in their role. Additionally from a business perspective recruiting an apprentice has given them value for money when extending their team.

“By employing an apprentice to assist our head gardener we have developed key areas within our gardens creating a huge impact on our guests experience and directly benefiting the business. The whole process of recruiting, employing and managing our apprentice was incredibly easy with the support and help from a professional and efficient team from The Cornwall College group throughout.” Tania Clark and Pete Roseveare - Red Hotels - Scarlet and Bedruthan Hotel & Spa.

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Plumbing Apprenticeships in Cornwall

Sadler & Bourne are a small Plumbing, Heating and Renewable energy specialist and have been operating since 2009. The directors Carl Sadler-Hughes and Jason Bourne started the company after working together for nearly eight years for a larger company. They specialise in high end new build plumbing, heating and renewable energy system design, specification and installation. They work with their clients to tailor their plumbing and heating systems to their needs, while at the same time making sure the systems they design are efficient and to building regulation standards. Their business consists of 4 qualified plumbers (One previous apprentice) and 1 current apprentice.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to take on apprentices?

Their business and reputation was growing and with increased workloads, they didn’t want to let customers down, so they employed a qualified installer. Unfortunately this installer was not able to meet their working standards. This is when they decided to take on apprentices who they could train to think and work, like them with the same finesse, while providing the same quality of customer service.

Their apprentices:

Sadler and Bourne took on two Plumbing Apprentices working at Level 2 and 3.

What impacts and benefits has the apprentice had on the company?

Their apprentices make a huge impact on their business every day. They have trained them both to think and work to the standards of Sadler & Bourne and have the business’s best interests at heart. This means they have been able to grow their business knowing that their apprentices can turn up at a job and run it like they would. Having this much confidence in their apprentices the directors of Sadler & Bourne said that they wouldn’t hesitate to take on another apprentice in the future.

 “The service provided by CCB was great, site visits are always planned and on time which is important to us. Taking on apprentices has helped our business grow and be able to provide a better and greater quality of work to our customers.” Jay Bourne - Director, Sadler & Bourne Ltd.

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Bespoke Customer Service Training

The Park is a secret huddle of distinctively chic, self-catering homes, hidden in a tranquil valley garden, mere moments from a stunning beach on the north Cornwall coast. Every home is unique, with lush interiors and designer furniture, from lodges with hot tubs, private terraces to yurts and retro trailers with log burners and campfires. The Park also offers an on-site café, heated swimming pools, beautiful gardens and all just a short amble to Mawgan Porth beach.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

The Park has had a number of staffing changes over the past year, along with a rebrand and change of ownership.  It was therefore of paramount importance that time and resources were invested in the team to ensure that the high standard of customer service that their guests have learnt to expect continued and improved as they grow as a business.

The training undertook:

Working with The Park we develop a bespoke tailored training package following the outcomes of their Customer Service training, where we conducted a mystery shopper survey, via three different routes: phone, email and in person.  The results highlighted a need for training and development in other areas. The tailored training package included some regulatory training in First Aid plus Manual Handling, Team Building, Customer Service/Sales training and Social Media mentoring.

What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?

The training has assisted The Park in providing a consistent level of service throughout all levels of the business.  Hospitality is traditionally an area which doesn’t have high levels of staff retention and is not regarded as a career choice for many.  The training that The Park undertook with us has helped them show their team that they value their skills and are willing to invest in them to ensure that they retain and recruit good members of the team.

By tailoring the training around their recent rebranding, we ensured that The Park’s core values were maintained and communicated clearly through all media, in-turn helped to embed their brand ethos.

“The team at CCB have been supportive throughout all aspects of the training, and tailored the days to specifically meet our needs, helping us invest in our staff.  We would happily recommend them.” Holly Hipkins - The Park.

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Customer Service and Accounts Apprenticeships

Tons of Tiles are one of the UK’s leading online tile retailers specialising in kitchen and Bathroom wall and floor tiles, The Company has grown from a cottage industry in 2007 to a multi-million company today employing 25 staff including Customer Service and Warehousing apprentices.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

Tons of Tiles wanted to increase their workforce with the minimum disruption to other staff and activities.

The training undertook:

The company had never taken on apprentices before but decided to invest in new staff through Warehousing & Logistics, Customer Service and accounts apprenticeships.

What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?

Taking on apprentices enabled them to mould their apprentices to specific roles within the company. Over time they noticed a vast improvement in the level of knowledge and commitment their apprentices developed compared to pre-trained personnel. Their apprentices have shown outstanding willingness to learn and take on more duties, expanding their knowledge within the work place.

“CCB’s Recruitment Team has been professional throughout, offering help and assistance as and when it was needed. Having had such a positive experience we have taken on yet another apprentice.” Ian Morgan - Warehouse Manager

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Country Estate Apprenticeships in Cornwall

Tregothnan is a rural family Estate.   The Estate is run by a large team of employees who work across the Garden, Maintenance, Farming, Game, Joinery, and Forestry. 

As well as the traditional Estate operations Tregothnan has diversified with a commercial business in Tea, Charcoal, Floristry and Holiday Accommodation.   Their Tea is grown, processed, packed and sold on the Estate in Cornwall. Their Charcoal is made at their Kent Estate and their Floristry uses home grown foliage and British grown flowers.  Tregothnan’s commercial branding promotes their British product, heritage and the luxuriousness of the products.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to take on apprentices?

The main challenges for the Estate are succession planning and brand alignment. The knowledge across the Estate among employees is important and going forward they need to ensure core knowledge is passed to trained employees.   This could be anything from understanding the Estate’s water network to ensuring they have the skills within the joinery teams to undertake the specialist and diverse tasks that are relevant to the Estate.  Tregothnan offers a different work environment, a very enjoyable one, which requires a unique employee.   This is usually someone who understands and is passionate about their brand and ethics.   It is important for Tregothnan to harness this passion within potential employees.

Recruiting their apprentices:

Tregothnan created their own Apprenticeship Scheme and took on their very first apprentices in Forestry and Horticulture with Duchy College and CCB, and Joinery with another provider.

CCB’s Apprenticeship Recruitment Team supported Tregothnan at each step of the process. CCB’s Recruitment Advisor, Claire, worked with them to gain a clear understanding of their needs and concerns from the outset. Candidates were only presented once Claire knew they were committed, which meant Tregothnan got to interview some really interested, passionate young people.

Tregothnan’s Apprenticeship Scheme has provided them with a focus on how they can knowledge share and provides support amongst their team mentors and their employees in general.  It has opened up a culture of learning and engagement.

What impacts and benefits have apprentices had on the company?

It has opened their eyes up to the skills that team members need to take on an apprentice and ensure that they are motivated and trained.   They did not expect the apprentices to produce any kind of increase in output as they wanted to focus on their learning and other training outside of their apprenticeship for example; chainsaw, manual handling, and spraying.  

However, the apprentices have allowed Tregothnan to expand their outlook on how they can develop employees and future apprentices. As their apprentices have developed they have seen an increase in output within each team month on month.

“Our apprenticeship scheme is providing us with future skills in technical and rural roles that are hard to find in young people.   We have found some passionate and committed young people to work in our demanding environment and take on the challenge of gaining a qualification. Our apprehension in starting an apprenticeship scheme was met by the brilliant service we had with Claire at CCB.” Claire Scholes - Training Manager - Tregothnan Estates

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Accountancy training

Whyfield are a small independent firm of accountants employing 10 members of staff. They offer an extensive range of accountancy, bookkeeping and payroll services to clients all over the UK although predominantly in the South West. Their client’s range from; sole traders to multi-million pound turnover companies. 

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

Whyfield have found that employing apprentices and supporting them through their qualifications is a very effective way for them to grow their team alongside employing staff already qualified. By investing in their staff to provide them with the right skills and knowledge, Whyfield can ensure that their core values to ‘provide the very best customer service and that each client receives high quality information’ is delivered.

The training undertook:

Whyfield currently have two AAT Apprentices and over the last few years have taken on several AAT Apprentices who have been successful in securing permanent roles within the company.

Whyfield continues to support their employees learning and development by enrolling them onto various training courses including the CIMA Management Accounting qualification. This internationally recognised programme further support their core values to provide their clients with high quality information enabling them to make informed decisions.

What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?

Every staff member who is currently undertaking training has fed back that they can relate what they learn in college to what they do in the workplace. It provides them with a further understanding of the work they carry out and challenges them to think outside the box and they are always keen to ask questions. Investing in staff helps them to become more knowledgeable, competent and qualified benefiting Whyfield as they reap the rewards through increased production and increased profits.

“Employing apprentices is a fantastic way of growing your workforce and using CCB to further their knowledge and qualifications gives you a supportive and professional network to work alongside to achieve this.” Laura Whyte- Whyfield.

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Marketing in the South West

Publicity South West represents attractions across Cornwall and Devon and assists them with their advertising, which includes leaflet distribution, design, printing, website development and more. Publicity South West has a comprehensive network of stands and outlets across the South West that advertises these leaflets with 98% of hotels, holiday parks, campsites, pubs, supermarkets, leisure centres, tourist information centres, attractions and public transport stations etc.

What were the businesses issues/challenges to undertake training?

Publicity South West didn’t have trained marketing individuals within the business and had always done everything following their own previous experience and knowledge. They supported their employee, Millie Norris, Administrator and Sales Representative to undertake training within Marketing to help her develop within her role.

The training undertook:

Millie Norris undertook our CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) Certificate in Marketing Level 4.

What impacts and benefits has the training had on the company?

The CIM course has provided Millie with the knowledge and confidence to improve the current structures and operations of the business as well as allowing her to share her new found knowledge with other employees to help the way they go about their job roles.

Also, the standard of the marketing for Publicity South West has seen great improvements, which has improved business acquisition. Because of this training Millie now feels encouraged to share her thoughts and ideas on ways to improve the marketing of the business. Additionally, the course has also helped Millie gain personal confidence which has benefited her when approaching new sales and sales meetings.

“The CIM training was very comprehensive and my trainer was very supportive. It has given me and Publicity South West added benefits and has improved the business.” Millie Norris- Administrator and Sales Representative, Publicity South West.

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