Skills training boosts Ipswich business

Award-winning Ipswich design and property consultancy company Concertus has boosted the leadership and management skills of its professional staff thanks to a partnership scheme which supports the region’s businesses.

Concertus worked with employment and skills specialist Seetec to provide tailored training to nearly 50 staff under the New Anglia Local Enterprise Partnership scheme. Co-financed by the European Social Fund, the programme helps the region’s businesses to grow and succeed.

Seetec worked with the group of architects, engineers, surveyors and project managers on a one-to-one basis, supporting them to reflect on their current practice and management techniques and develop their confidence to tackle new opportunities.

All achieved ILM-accredited qualifications in Team Leadership or Leadership and Management.

Seetec Trainer/Assessor Steven Collier, who worked with the Concertus staff, aged from their 20s to their 50s, over seven months, said: “These are highly-qualified professionals who haven’t had leadership and management training before.

“They worked really hard, it was a challenge for them to complete the work on time with their busy workloads. I am really impressed with the way the company committed the time to invest in their skills development.”

Sarah Pennock, Business Manager at Concertus (pictured with Senior Building Surveyor Anson Lockwood), said: “We knew the employees’ time spent on the course would impact on our chargeable time, but it was outweighed by the benefit of providing training and guidance to all. They have done a brilliant job of implementing what they have learnt.

“As we grow and expand, we look to offer promotions internally and we invest significantly to provide our staff with every opportunity to be the best they can be. We have a fantastic team, and the training highlighted new areas for them to develop and put to use within the company, which will help our growth.”

Sarah said the course also encouraged managers to communicate with each other, building up a network to discuss ideas and experience, and helping to forge a stronger and more collaborative management team.

Anson Lockwood, Senior Building Surveyor at Concertus, said: “I was really pleased that Concertus provided this opportunity to drive my skill progression. From the start of my journey, the course energised me to be productive and immediately take in more from what I was learning each session. My tutor, who was an exceptional mentor, made the learning process interesting and engaging, although at times quite challenging.”

Businesses interested in developing the skills of their staff should email Seetec.