Aycliffe Today Business AT Business Issue 30 | Page 17

The magazine for Aycliffe Business Park | 17
Jason Howe has been appointed
new managing director of
Newton Aycliffe-based South
West Durham Training.
New managing
director at
training firm
A training provider which celebrates its fifth decade
in operation later this year has appointed a new leader.
By Martin Walker
Jason Howe has taken over as managing
director of South West Durham Training
(SWDT) on Aycliffe Business Park,
succeeding chief executive Lee Childs, who
left in August.
The 34-year-old has been promoted
from a senior role at Bishop Auckland
College, which owns SWDT, to continue the
impressive progress which has been made
in the last three years.
SWDT, which trains future workforce
for several leading employers including
Hitachi Rail, GSK, Husqvarna, 3M and Thorn
Lighting, will celebrate its 50th year in
December.
And former business owner-turned
curriculum expert Howe wants to mark the
milestone in style.
“There’s a lot of history behind South
West Durham Training,” said Howe.
“It’s been supported by a number of
organisations and employers over the years,
and we celebrate our 50th anniversary later
this year, so we have some exciting plans
for that.
“Training centres have opened and closed
over the years and the fact South West
Durham is gearing up for its 50th year is
really a glowing testament.
“But the potential is still huge, with the
facilities and the staff we have here.
“Right now the aim is to build on the great
work that’s been done in recent years, in
improving what we do and increasing learner
numbers. Lee Childs has provided a lot of
stability and altered the curriculum to suit
employers’ needs, which has been crucial.
“The commercial programmes we’re
running now are very pro-active in what
employers want and we’re hoping to
maintain and improve on the good work that
has already been achieved here.”
Howe, who lives in Wolsingham with
expectant wife Helen and their four-year-
old son Elliott, started his career as an
apprentice engineer before completing an
apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery with
a building firm in Weardale.
Soon after qualifying in 2003 he set up
his own business, which he ran until March
2008 when he was offered a trainer assessor
role with then Sedgefield Borough Council.
He later became electrical co-ordinator at
Bishop Auckland College before construction
lead and then manager of the technology
department, covering construction and
engineering, motor and building services –
the role previous SWDT boss Trevor Alley
held before heading in the same direction to
Aycliffe.
He has also advised several organisations
in a consultancy role, including Hopwood
Hall, in Oldham, and Darlington Borough
Council, and he’s a quality assurer for City
and Guilds.
Howe added: “I can see the potential
at South West Durham and the fantastic
work that Lee and the team have already
done, and I’m relishing the opportunity of
continuing that work.
“We’re looking to tailor our apprenticeship
packages to our employers’ needs, which
is key going forward, especially with the
introduction of the new standards and that
we’re looking to offer higher education
apprenticeships.
“I’m extremely passionate about what I
do, and when I see an opportunity I’m not
afraid to go for it. I’m also a team player, so
while this role is office based I’m not scared
of rolling up my sleeves and getting my
hands dirty.
“But my biggest strength is curriculum
expertise and from a further education
point of view – and that’s showed in what
I’ve achieved in increasing technology
apprenticeship numbers at Bishop Auckland
College, sourcing and implementing funding
streams to increase curriculum provision.”
SWDT is now delivering bespoke
apprenticeship packages to accommodate
the needs of businesses.
A subsidiary of Bishop Auckland College
which employs 27 staff, SWDT also works
with Cummins in Darlington, Richmond-
based Pipeline Engineering, which is part of
the multi-national Circor Group, and car parts
maker Nifco in Stockton, and currently has
more than 300 learners on its books.
Find out more about SWDT at
www.swdt.co.uk or call 01325 313194.