ENGINEERING
Progression – Senior quality engineer Owen Haswell , left , and engineering and maintenance manager John Donaldson .
ON THE RIGHT TRACK
Engineering firm helps staff progress through suitable training paths
WORDS : DAVE ROBSON PICTURE : TOM BANKS
Some companies pay lip service to their training obligations – but that couldn ’ t be further from the truth when it comes to engineering firm Katmex .
The development of its employees is a key part of what Katmex stands for , the company reasoning that both parties benefit from an enlightened training approach .
And when you visit its imposing 25,000- sq m factory , which processes up to 2,000 tonnes of steel a month , you needn ’ t look far to find staff who ’ ve found progression and promotion thanks to the Katmex training policy .
For example , engineering and maintenance manager John Donaldson has been encouraged to progress towards a managerial role during two stints at the company .
John , 36 , started with Katmex as an apprentice machine operator , his interest in mechanics having persuaded him to pursue an engineering career .
After his three-year apprenticeship , during which he completed his level 3 NVQ on day release at Darlington College , he opted to head for Australia – “ I just felt I needed a bit of ‘ life ’ experience ,” he tells Tees Business .
After two years Down Under , he returned to work on the family farms . But on visiting Katmex to source parts for machinery , he realised his passion for engineering – and for the firm – was still there and he “ jumped at the chance ” to rejoin as a production engineer .
He says : “ It was just that desire to return to engineering . I ’ d left on good terms and I ’ d really enjoyed working here , so I was excited to return .”
Since rejoining Katmex , John , from Great Busby , near Stokesley , has completed his CMI Level Five in operations management . He says : “ It ’ s been a revelation for me . It meant I was putting all these tools in place that I needed to manage people because l ’ d never really done that – I ’ d managed myself , machines and processes , but I ’ d never managed people to the level that was now required .”
John has also now embarked on a Masters in business and administration at Teesside University , fitting in his studies with his daily Katmex responsibilities .
He said : “ All through my time at Katmex , the firm has been hugely supportive of my personal and professional training and development . The culture has always been to drive and support this desire to train and develop . Hopefully , Katmex has seen my commitment to the company and this is the reward for that commitment .”
And he ’ s not alone in dovetailing his Katmex role with training .
Owen Haswell , 28 , joined Katmex in 2014 as an apprentice quality engineer . Since then , Owen , of Spennymoor , has not only achieved a degree in mechanical engineering at Teesside University – again studying on day release while working for Katmex – but has recently been promoted to senior quality engineer and last year , successfully completed his CMI level 3 as he , too , makes the step up into management .
He said : “ They ’ ve always supported the ideas , the resources and putting me onto relevant courses . Last week I completed a lead audit course , which allows me to manage the 10-strong auditing team relating to our ISO accreditations .
“ There ’ s been a development plan from the start really . They ’ re always happy for me to grow with the business .”
Katmex MD Lee Cranston says John and Owen ’ s stories are typical of the kind of career progression he wants to encourage .
He said : “ Katmex has always had an intake of apprentices within the business , mainly within the engineering disciplines , and this is something we have considered further as to how training and development can be offered to all employees and not just those within certain disciplines .
“ The form of training and development takes place in many guises , from on-thejob training and onsite training by external training companies to remote online learning and attending higher education facilities .
“ As a business , we are committed to ongoing training and development for our employees . Both John and Owen are examples of what can be achieved .”
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