Solidor creates over 20 apprenticeships in five years

Solidor has been working with PM Training for more than five years, investing in apprenticeships and growing its business significantly through cost-effective staff development.

Over the past five years, Stoke-based Solidor Limited has recruited over 20 apprentices within a variety of roles including customer service, order processing, sales and marketing, and production.

Developing employees and improving skills

As the UK’s leading composite door manufacturer, investment in staff is certainly high on the agenda. From the Stoke head office, developing employees and improving skills is a major key performance indicator for the company. Solidor spends an average of over two hours per employee per month on internal training. By combining this with a training and development plan for apprentices, it has been able to grow its workforce by 80% over the last five years.

Lisa Barnett, Human Resources Manager at Solidor, says: “Apprentices can bring so much to the business. We have seen apprentices come to us straight from school to gain work experience and develop their skills. As a result of their energy and willingness to succeed, they are now being promoted within our organisation, which is so rewarding to see.”

Apprentice progression

Owen Mullock, started as an Order Processing apprentice in 2016. Following the end of his apprenticeship he successfully gained permanent employment and progressed into a Junior Technical Coordinator role. 

He says: "The apprenticeship gave me the opportunity to embrace the challenges of working life and progress as an individual with confidence".

Apprenticeship levy advice

Since the introduction of the apprenticeship levy in 2017, Solidor has continued to invest in apprenticeships and has worked with PM Training to utilise its apprenticeship levy funding – the national levy placed upon businesses with more than a £3m wage bill.

"Apprentices can bring so much to the business. We have seen apprentices come to us straight from school to gain work experience and develop their skills".

Lisa continues: “The expertise of the PM Training staff has been invaluable. We’ve been able to design training packages that meet our budgets, develop our staff and ensure that we don’t miss out of any essential qualifications available.”

Steve Rushton, Partnerships Director at PM Training, says: “Working with a company like Solidor is very rewarding. Over the years we have built up a great understanding of the business. We see ourselves as an extension to their training department, ensuring they get the most effective training to grow their business.”