Clearview National December 2019 - Issue 217 | Page 24

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INDUSTRYNEWS
Answers to the
skills shortage
are out there
One of the main challenges the industry
is currently facing is a skills shortage, and
it’s one of the biggest barriers to growth.
But there are answers out there.
» THAT’S THE VIEW OF
Howard Trotter, Business
Manager of leading windows and
doors manufacturer Shelforce.
Shelforce specialises in
providing high-quality products
to local authority building
projects and is Birmingham City
Council’s chosen manufacturer of
choice.
But what sets the company
apart is that 75% of its workforce
is disabled, meaning Shelforce is
leading the way in the industry
when it comes to inclusive
employment.
And Howard’s dedication to
training and nurturing the skills
of his workforce has played a huge
part in Shelforce’s success.
Howard said: “How we tackle
the skills shortage and attract
more young people into the
industry is something that we all
need to think about as it’s a huge
challenge that we face.
“But there are answers out
there, and a commitment to
training and employment is
vital.”
REAPING THE REWARDS
Howard started working
with Shelforce in 2013 when
the business was facing major
financial challenges.
But thanks to his experience
in lean manufacturing and team
building, production efficiency
has increased by 759% and
the company has gone from an
Manor School in Birmingham,
a community school catering to
children with autism, and we
hope to establish similar links
with other schools in the area.
“It’s vitally important that we
help future-proof the industry
when it comes to skills.”
Howard Trotter (right),
Business Manager of
leading windows and doors
manufacturer Shelforce
operating loss of £1.8million to
now making a profit.
Howard said: “Disabled
workers can make exceptionally
loyal, dedicated, and hard-
working employees in this or
any other industry and we have
benefitted massively from this
in-built resilience.
“Having an integrated
approach to employment requires
an unconventional recruitment
process, and a hands-on,
practical approach to training
that replicates the factory floor
operations – but if you’re willing
to make that initial investment,
you’re rewarded with the most
passionate and dedicated workers
you could ask for.”
24 » DEC 2019 » CL EARVI E W- UK . C O M
TRAINING FACILITY
To further cement its
reputation as an inclusive
employer, Shelforce is in the
process of opening a dedicated
training facility at its factory in
Erdington to provide regular
work experience placements for
students from nearby schools,
including special needs schools.
Howard said: “By offering
regular work experience
placements, we want to help
young adults of all abilities take
their first steps into the workplace
– and continue a proud legacy
of supporting Birmingham’s
population.
“We have already developed
a close relationship with Oscott
ENCOURAGING OTHERS
Howard joined a stellar line-up
of speakers at the 2019 Glazing
Summit at Edgbaston Stadium
and Conference Centre and
spoke about the future of skills
and tackling the skills shortage
as part of the Barriers to Growth
debate.
“One of our aims at Shelforce
is to encourage other businesses to
adopt our inclusive employment
approach and give it a try,”
explained Howard.
“It’s why being able to speak
about it at events such as the
Glazing Summit is brilliant.
“As I said, there are answers to
the skills shortage out there, but
we all need to know collectively
what those answers are.”
For more information call
Shelforce on 0121 603 5262 or
visit www.shelforce.com