Bringing Aycliffe Business Park Together | 11
Michael Blades, Business Development Manager
/COMPANY FOCUS: South West Durham Training Ltd
Exciting changes for
Aycliffe ‘Institution’
South West Durham Training
(SWDT) is viewed as an
Institution to many people
in Newton Aycliffe and
surrounding areas.
Just about everyone knows someone who’s
been through the books at Aycliffe’s most
prolific provider of Apprenticeships – not
surprising, given the fact they’ve churned out
something like 10,000-plus since its formation
in 1967
.
But the training-provider, which is actually
a registered charity, has seen a seen a sharp
rise in the number of starts planned for
January and April.
The company has recently overseen a number
of exciting new changes, with operations
director Charl Erasmus moving up to the role
of chief executive – a void left by the retiring
Ann Cant.
A number of exciting new appointments have
also been made to the non-executive council,
with Gestamp Tallent operations director David
Land joining the board along with new vice-chair
Dave Spensley from Aycliffe Fabrications.
Meanwhile, 39-year-old Michael Blades has
been installed as a new Business Development
Manager, returning to his roots in the North-East
after spending 17 years studying and working
in London.
Michael’s wide-ranging remit will include leading
on sales and marketing, and already a month
into the role, he sees it as an exciting challenge.
“I’ll be looking at ways we can increase both
funded and commercial revenue, says Michael,
”
who’s originally from Eaglescliffe ne