NEWS COMMENT
NUMBER 10 VISIT
Aycliffe apprentice welcomed to Downing Street
17-year-old apprentice was hosted at The
A Local Skills Champions ’ Reception at 10 Downing Street after being nominated by our local MP .
The initiative , led by Prime Minister Rishi Sunak , aims to celebrate the businesses across Britain who have committed to developing new talent , and the apprentices who are dedicated to learning .
Nominees were chosen by MPs across the country , and Aycliffe-based Katie Eltringham was selected by Sedgefield Paul Howell MP to attend the ceremony and represent the constituency .
Katie began working as a business administration apprentice in February 2023 with manufacturing firm BTS Facades and Fabrications , through apprenticeship provider Optimum Skills .
Paul Howell said : “ I chose Katie because it was my pleasure to meet with Marcia and Phil Atkinson who run BTS Fabrications in Newton Aycliffe in my constituency last year , and since then , I have developed a close working relationship with them and their team .
“ BTS are a warm family firm that works hard to engage their team fully and this includes promoting young talent as
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Newton Aycliffe-based procurement specialist is targeting a £ 2m turnover within the next two years having once feared the global pandemic could actually bring an end to the company he owns .
Johnson Procurement Solutions , based at the Incubation Centre on Aycliffe Business Park ’ s Durham Way South , recovered from a tough period at the height of Covid to achieve a record turnover last year , and is now looking to expand its workforce .
Managing director Steven Johnson set the company up in late 2016 and says he ’ s now more confident than ever that JPS can keep growing and has ambitious seven-figure targets for 2025 .
Steven said : “ We want to grow the business and within the next five years we want to have a £ 5m turnover .
“ We recorded our best financial results last
BTS apprentice Katie Eltringham and finance director Marcia Atkinson were greeted at Number 10 by Sedgefield MP Paul Howell and Education Secretary Gillian Keegan .
apprentices – a fine example of which is Katie .
“ It was great to spend time with Katie and Marcia when I went with them to the reception at No 10 , and it was clear that they had a truly memorable experience .”
The event was hosted by Education Secretary Gillian Keegan MP and aimed to celebrate efforts to boost skills and vocational education through apprenticeships .
Though , when Katie received the invitation email , she admitted she thought it was too good to be true .
“ At first when I received the email I was sat with my mum , and we assumed straight away it was a scam !” she said .
“ A few weeks later , Marcia put the invitation in front of me ; my heart dropped , and my face lit up .
“ I was very grateful to have had my name put forward , the team at BTS continuously make me feel like a valued member of staff . “ It felt surreal , it ’ s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity I ’ ll never forget .”
BTS Facades and Fabrications , the company which employs Katie , is a manufacturing business which supplies high-quality rainscreen products .
To find out more about BTS , visit : btsfabrications . co . uk
PROCUREMENT FIRM TARGETS £ 2M TURNOVER
JPS managing director Steven Johnson with associate director Maurice Johnson and procurement officer Niall Douglas .
year , those increased by 45 per cent and we want to do that again .
“ We have shown huge resilience and because of Covid we went from having a large number of small clients to just four or five large clients .
“ This is due to the strategic change I implemented to target the larger companies with a global footprint .”
IMPORTANCE OF BEING HR COMPLIANT
While the term “ HR compliance ” may sound daunting , it is essentially a set of practices aimed at ensuring that organisations adhere to employment regulations and industry standards .
Being HR compliant is not just a legal obligation ; it ’ s a strategic imperative for businesses of all sizes . Here ’ s why : It serves as a protective shield against potential legal disputes and penalties which can be financially crippling and damaging to an organisation ’ s reputation .
Prioritising HR compliance fosters a sense of trust and security amongst employees . They are more likely to be motivated and engaged when they believe their rights and well-being are respected and protected .
It extends beyond legal requirements ; it includes best practices that improve overall organisational efficiency . Organisations that prioritise their HR compliance practices can attract top talent , maintain high employee retention rates , and achieve operational excellence .
Compliant HR organisations attract and retain high-quality employees . Potential candidates are more likely to join organisations known for their commitment to fair employment practices . Similarly , existing employees are more likely to stay with an organisation that ensures their rights and well-being .
HR compliance often involves streamlining processes , such as accurate record-keeping , clear policies , and transparent reporting . These improvements not only reduce compliance risks but also enhance overall operational efficiency .
Compliance includes workplace safety standards and practices , contributing to the physical and mental well-being of employees .
Being HR compliant is not just a regulatory checkbox ; it ’ s a strategic imperative that underpins organisational success .
Find out more about our HR services at hr2day . co . uk . Nicky Jolley Managing director , HR2day
The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 7