70 | Tees Business
Lex talk
business
Y
ou may have heard of the award-
winning Tees company Lexonik
– formerly Sound Training – who
are whipping up a storm around
the world. You may also have heard that
the Lexonik teaching programme provides
teachers and students with the skills and
knowledge to improve literacy rapidly and
effectively.
But did you know that their training is
also incredibly beneficial to apprentices,
employees and adult learners in any setting?
The Middlesbrough firm’s founder director
Katy Parkinson is a literacy specialist who
was keen to enhance and raise achievement
amongst students locally and then further
afield once she’d established the company
commercially.
Working alongside CEO Claire Preston,
the pair have now started to work not only in
schools and prisons across the UK, but also
with learners in a range of settings, including
international schools and in schools in US
states.
One area the pair are still keen to
break into is that of the apprenticeship
market as they look to support career
advancement through improved literacy and
communication.
Claire said: “We know that we have a
programme which enhances literacy at all
levels, and influences the outcomes of any
teaching or learning programme or vocational
path; whatever career you choose, there’s
always a need for literacy and everyone can
improve their ability to communicate and
advance in their chosen field.”
Katy is excited about the opportunity of
working with young adults or employees
in any setting to demonstrate the power of
Lexonik in the workplace.
“Let me just show you what people are
capable of,” she said. “Even well qualified
people have no idea what they don’t know
– and I can really help them to improve their
literacy, which in turn can improve their
career opportunities.”
Claire and Katy are now looking for
pioneering employers to work with them on
a Teesside pilot programme, working with
small groups of apprentices or employees for
one hour a week for only six weeks.
Focusing on business - Lexonik
directors Katy Parkinson (right)
and Claire Preston.
They say they guarantee that the
difference will be evident by those within the
organisation as well as having an impact on
the literacy and confidence of participating
employees.
Any interested companies should get
in touch with Lexonik on 01642 424298
or email [email protected].
Business is flying for drone specialists
T
eesside drone company DJM Aerial
Solutions has celebrated its first year in
full-time business – a 12-month period
director Dan Maine says the company took
its fleet of hi-spec drone technology “from
the ordinary to the extraordinary”.
With assistance from both Tees Valley
Business Compass and Digital City, DJM
has expanded its fleet to increase the firm’s
service offerings from standard high-level
remote inspection to confined space and
internal survey.
DJM Aerial Solutions have secured clients
across not only heavy industry but the
construction, infrastructure and creative sectors.
The firm already has an enviable client
portfolio, from blue-chip companies such
as BOC, Siemens and Ineos to exciting
collaborations with well-established Teesside
firms including RAK Inspection and Ithica Films.
Director Dan said: “It’s been an exciting
year for us. We’ve been operational for
two years in April but I continued rotational
employment within the oil and gas industry
until December 2017.
“Things didn’t really pick up until I took the
plunge into full-time status, allowing us to
give the business our full attention – and the
risk has paid off.”
Since going full-time, engineer Dan has
been able to provide a service to companies
across the UK using his technical expertise
developed during a 20-year career within a
Aiming high - Dan Maine of DJM Aerial Solutions.
heavy industrial environment.
DJM’s main offerings are high level visual
or thermal surveys of assets using their
high-specification equipment. With a recent
investment in a drone encapsulated within
a gyroscopic protective cage, they are now
able to offer the same level of services within
internal environments, such as storage tanks
and vessels.
“We needed to differentiate ourselves
from the competition and we’re now able
to do so,” added Dan. “There aren’t many
companies in the UK offering the same
services we are, so we look forward to
seeing further growth in 2019.”
For more details, email
[email protected] or visit
djm-aerial.com.