Doncaster manufacturer Polydon Industries has benefited from bespoke software training part funded through South Yorkshire Skills Bank, which has enabled it to grow its business and gain a competitive edge in the market.
South Yorkshire Growth Hub’s Business Advisors recommended that Polydon Industries could upskill a number of its staff through this bespoke training on a 3D software design system it had recently bought, called SolidWorks.
SolidWorks put together a bespoke training plan, based on Polydon’s requirements, which involved nine staff undertaking four days of intensive training in sales, design, development and manufacture using its latest software. Thanks to the software and the Skills Bank training, Polydon Industries has now extended its product design capabilities, which includes carrying out stress analysis of materials for the production of components for industries including oil and gas, agriculture, rail, defence and the energy sectors.
Harold Howard, Managing Director of Polydon Industries, explains: “Overall as a business we have been able to become more competitive, increase our turnover and access markets that we could not have done before as we can now offer a full design package. We have been able to attract new customers and now work with businesses on a global basis offering them a fully animated 3D design which we can prototype and test before it goes into manufacture. These capabilities really do give us a competitive edge.
He adds: ”The Skills Bank funding has made a real difference as it has enabled us to extend our services and enhance our capabilities. It means we are much more a design and development-focused business, rather than being purely a manufacturer. The training has enabled staff to get the most out of the SolidWorks software package along with making our whole sales, design and manufacturing processes more efficient.
Julie Mather, Skills Advisor at the South Yorkshire Growth Hub, commented:
“It is fantastic to hear that Polydon Industries has experienced such a major impact to its business since staff undertook the Skills Bank training. Since the pandemic, many manufacturers have taken advantage of Skills Bank funding to enable their staff to enhance their skills. This is having major benefits in enabling them to meet industry challenges and address the skills shortage that exists across many sectors.”
To find out more, visit: https://skillsbankscr.co.uk/
Skills Bank provides employers across South Yorkshire with access to high quality training and funding to support skills training that will enable them to develop their business. Skills Bank is part of South Yorkshire Growth Hub, a service which exists to help businesses to find the best possible support to grow, whether that is investment in Skills and Training, access to finance options, support with innovation or export or even helping new businesses to get off the ground.
South Yorkshire Growth Hub Skills Advisors are available across the region to support and assist businesses with their needs. The Growth Hub supports the aims of the South Yorkshire Local Enterprise Partnership to create jobs and drive economic growth by providing local businesses with the tools they need to succeed.
The Skills Bank Programme has been extended until 2025 by the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority. The extension is in recognition of the needs of local businesses and as part of the support to boost South Yorkshire’s post pandemic recovery and renewal.
For more details about services provided by Polydon Industries visit www.polydon.co.uk.
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