THE TRAINING arm of a North East construction firm has strengthened its team with the appointment of three new employees as it continues to expand its services.
Dudley based Owen Pugh Training Services, a division of leading full-service civil engineering contractor the Owen Pugh Group, has taken on a new training co-ordinator and two new trainers in line with customer demand. 2014 saw an increase in CPCS tests of 193%.
Lee Welford steps into the role of plant trainer after spending the past 18 months as a plant operator for Owen Pugh and 20 years overall as an operative. Cramlington based Lee has also spent five years in the Further Education environment, working as an NVQ assessor for the construction plant industry.
Bringing a unique combination of both classroom and practical experience to the role, Lee’s expertise will benefit both internal clients within the business, as well as staff from external companies including independent firms and local authorities who require the Construction Plant Competence Scheme (CPCS) registration card and other construction training.
Further boosting the team’s skills set, Steve Egglestone also joins Owen Pugh as a trainer with over 30 years’ experience in plant. An NPORS accredited instructor with vast experience across different subjects and machines including manual handling, CAT and Genny and Abrasive Wheels, Steve brings the addition of fork lift operator training to the Owen Pugh business, enabling training to be carried out at customer premises. With extensive supervisory qualifications and a sound knowledge of awarding body guidelines and expectations, Steve will help expand the training division’s offer from construction to incorporate other industrial businesses.
Owen Pugh Training Services also welcomes training coordinator, Wendy Wilson, to the team to provide day to day support to the team’s general manager, Tracey Forshaw. Her role will involve undertaking senior administrative tasks and utilising her supervisory experience to oversee the running of the office and training team in Tracey’s absence. Wendy brings over 20 years’ experience in customer facing roles within the retail, waste management and training sectors to the post.
Commenting on the three appointments, Tracey Forshaw, general manager of Owen Pugh Training Services, said: “I’m absolutely delighted to welcome Wendy, Steve and Lee to the team, each bring a wealth of experience that will take the business forward into our next stage of growth.
“With continued demand both internally and externally for CPCS the extra resource is invaluable and the additional expertise that they each bring to the team will enable us to expand our external training offer, particularly in the field of mobile elevated platforms, helping us broaden our scope into the wider industrial arena.
Tracey Forshaw says that the company’s flexible approach has ensured the success of the business to date. She added: “As part of a business operating in all areas of construction, we appreciate that training, while essential, can put businesses under pressure, so our approach is completely adaptable and geared towards the specific needs of individual businesses.”
The Owen Pugh Group comprises five trading companies operating in the civil engineering industry, undertaking earthmoving and demolition, drainage and groundworks, plant-hire and haulage, quarrying, inert waste and drain cleaning, and CCTV surveys. The group is headquartered in Dudley near Cramlington, with other bases in Blaydon, Sunderland and Stockton-on-Tees, as well as Marsden Quarry. The company employs over 420 staff across its business.
For further information about Owen Pugh Training Services call 0191 250 4601 or visit the website www.owenpugh.com