PRODUCTION MANAGER PHIL SETS POSITIVE PROGRESSION TREND AT FINLEY STRUCTURES
Finley Structures production manager Phil Metcalfe and production controller Alex Sutherby ( left ) with production control assistant Liam Gamsby – all three have worked their way from the shop floor to the office .
Production manager Phil Metcalfe is setting a positive career progression trend at family firm Finley Structures .
The 35-year-old was just 20 when he started working for Finley ’ s in 2004 , starting out making fittings , before working his way to the office and now heads a 40-man production team . As well as climbing the career ladder with the firm , Phil has also passed his driving test , bought his first house , started with a young family with his wife and relocated to Newton Aycliffe from Darlington during his 15 years with the firm . “ My time with Finley Structures has seen me grow on every level ,” says Phil . After leaving school in 2000 , Phil studied an engineering course at Darlington College and then worked for a couple of small structural fabricators in Darlington . An opportunity came up at Finley Structures , programming fittings in the office for the machines , while he also worked in estimating . “ When I joined the company we had six management staff , now as the company has grown we have 17 ,” added Phil . Finley Structures ’ policy of trying to progress their young staff is clearly paying dividends , as two other employees are following in Phil ’ s footsteps . Production controller Alex Sutherby started as an apprentice welder with Finley ’ s 12 years ago but has been in the office for five years now . And ambitious young production assistant Liam Gamsby has recently been appointed production control assistant – he ’ s now working under the guidance of Phil and Alex . “ I ’ d like to make the same progress Phil has over the years ,” says 19-year-old Liam , from Bishop . “ Finley Structures have shown they ’ re prepared to develop their staff , so there are genuine good career opportunities if you want them , regardless of how you enter the industry .” Phil added : “ I started out making fittings on the shop floor and then I started programming in the office , which is what Liam is already doing now . “ I was also a trainee estimator at the time , so I ’ ve worked my way through the office doing different jobs , which has given me useful experience of various sides of the business .” Finley ’ s joint-managing director Julie Raistrick says it ’ s important the company future-proofs the business by promoting from within as well as recruiting other staff externally . She added : “ Young people who ’ ve worked on the shop floor have a good , thorough understanding of production and how it works , which we think gives them valuable tools for the future if they ’ re looking to progress their careers . “ We ’ re delighted with the progress Liam has made and , under the expert stewardship of Phil and Alex , he ’ ll be given all the help and guidance he needs to progress his own skills and experience .”
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