Like many small and medium-sized businesses, energy-saving solutions company Aran Services finds it hard to juggle staff skills development with day-to-day work pressures.

Working with employment and skills specialist Seetec enabled the company to instigate a bespoke training package, delivered at their offices in Bury St Edmunds.

Senior Operations Manager Ian Gager is one of the team undertaking an ILM qualification in Leadership and Management.

He said: “It is useful to learn new skills and develop our existing skill sets. The fact that Seetec delivered the training at our site made it possible, that model works extremely well as we couldn’t afford the time to let people go out for the training.

“In a small business, taking one person out for a day can make a big difference. Like most businesses, we have limited budgets and the training being fully-funded made a real difference.”

The Leadership and Management and Team Leading training was funded through by New Anglia LEP and co-financed by the European Social Fund.

Seetec has worked with nearly 2,300 learners across the region since autumn 2016 through the scheme, helping them to develop their skills.

Chantel Hampton, Skills Delivery Manager for Seetec, said: “Norfolk and Suffolk can be difficult areas for companies to recruit and retain staff with the skills they need. We have been working with SMEs to help them enhance the capabilities of their workforce at minimum cost, while delivering training at employers’ own premises to minimise disruption.”

Chris Starkie, Chief Executive at New Anglia LEP, said: “It is great to see the difference that this leadership training is having on businesses. It’s important that firms can upskill their staff to become more productive, more efficient and to help staff grow and learn. I’d encourage any SME looking to develop their existing workforce to look into training through this initiative.”