The Background:
In 2022, Complete Training Solutions (CTS) launched a Green Energy Skills Bootcamp in partnership with Liverpool City Region and the Department for Education. The Skills Bootcamp, funded by the Department for Education under the Government’s Lifetime Skills Guarantee and Plan for Jobs Initiative, allowed eligible participants to complete the technical training required to secure employment in the renewables industry.
Brad Hickman, Managing Director at Windtex Engineering, first heard about the Skills Bootcamp pilot from the Head of Renewables at CTS, Danielle Kershaw. Brad quickly learned how the business could benefit from partnering with CTS on such a trailblazing project.
“We recently expanded our partnership with Complete Training Solutions to support our business growth and recruitment needs.
“CTS were not only interested in the technical qualifications we look for in our employees, but also in the attributes and behaviours we are looking for,” Brad said.
The Innovation:
Conversations began with Windtex, where they shared the elements that they would like to be included in the Skills Bootcamp curriculum. The list of requests included an Introduction to the Green Energy Sector, full GWO Basic Safety Training, Level 1 IRATA, and a sector-specific CV and Interview Workshop.
The CV and Interview Workshop was a crucial element as previously Brad had found people who are new to the sector fell at the interview stage as they had a limited understanding of the work ethic and common sense Windtex required from employees.
By incorporating these core elements into the Skills Bootcamp, it could not only equip learners with the technical skills needed to enter the renewables industry but support them to develop the behaviours desired by Windtex.
The Pilot
Before the course began, the team at Windtex met the delegates during an information session. The session was an opportunity for Windtex to put faces to names and scope out the potential talent in the room.
In March 2022, the first cohort of delegates entered CTS’s state-of-the-art facility in Liverpool, where they embarked on their journey to a career in renewables.
Throughout the Skills Bootcamp, Danielle Kershaw maintained open lines of communication with Windtex, providing updates on delegates’ progression. When the time came for the delegates to undergo the all-important interview with Windtex, CTS kindly offered Windtex the use of their facilities for the interviews. Brad said: “CTS offered us the use of the facility, which was really convenient for us.”
The Outcome
Out of the 12 delegates who took part in the Skills Bootcamp, 11 were interviewed by Windtex. Brad commented on how impressed he was by the calibre of candidates. He said:
“We were really impressed with the calibre of the candidates. They had all been really well prepared and knew a lot about our company and the direction we were going in.”
Windtex were so impressed that they offered five of the candidates’ immediate roles, with a further four on standby for their next suitable contract. Brad highlighted how refreshing it was to see such a diverse group of individuals.
“The lads were from all walks of life, some came with experience, some with a good understanding of their transferrable skills and there was even a guy who came from the finance sector.
“In all honesty, we might have overlooked these applicants in the past, so it’s been an eye-opener to us and gives us a lot of confidence in sustaining our business with strong recruitment in the future.” He said.
Brad praised CTS for their ability to deliver an effective solution to its recruitment issues. He went on to encourage other businesses in the sector to consider working with CTS. He said:
“We will definitely continue to work with CTS as our business grows and would recommend them to anyone else in the sector with a growing and ambitious business.
“The fact the service comes without a cost is great too, we’ve saved thousands in agency costs which can go toward the continued development of our employees.
“We look forward to continuing our partnership with CTS on this and other innovative projects.”
