Getrag goes up a gear

Getrag Ford Transmissions has never been more serious about wanting to maintain its position as a world-class supplier of transmission components to the automotive industry.

Having invested a cool £120 million in state-of-the-art equipment to transform its production plant at Halewood, wise spending was needed to make sure none of the money went to waste.
One area where the company was not prepared to compromise was training for its 700-strong staff.
“Training is absolutely critical to maintaining our competitiveness. However, the economic downturn placed greater pressure on cash flow and raised questions about the affordability of our plans,” says plant manager Bob Taylor.

Getrag entered into discussions with Sysco to identify what financial support was available to help the company stretch its budget for staff development. Under the Inward Investor and Restructuring Programme, Getrag was able to access up to £90,000 to upskill workers. Training is bespoke, based on the company’s individual needs, and flexible in delivery.

“Training staff in the use of new equipment is often best delivered by the suppliers, as they possess the very best understanding of their products,” explains Getrag’s training manager Nigel Atkinson. “The fact that we could obtain this training direct from the manufacturer was hugely advantageous.”
The funding has already made a valuable contribution to the company, paying for 250 staff days of training. Production teams are now trained across a range of equipment including new robotics. But it doesn’t end there.
Through a Leader Teacher Training Programme, the company is equipping people with the skills to teach others. This type of training is proving a cost-effective way to retain skills by cascading them throughout the organisation.
Getrag is also working with Sysco and the LSC to gain further funding. “Having already benefited from funding linked to the capital investment in the plant, we aim to continue this momentum and ensure the continual professional development of our staff,” adds Nigel.
“Training is key to our position in the world market. And we are confident that if we continue to invest in our workforce, we will emerge stronger.”

• The LSC recently injected £4.8 million into its Inward Investor and Restructuring Response Programme (IRR), dedicated to supporting the growth and investment of industry in our area. The programme offers flexible, funded programmes to develop job-related, leading-edge skills.
• Sysco delivers IRR to companies in Merseyside, Halton, Warrington, Lancashire, Cheshire and Cumbria.