Critical power product and services provider Dale Power Solutions has been awarded the Queen’s Award for Enterprise: Promoting Opportunity 2018. The award has been given in recognition of the very successful apprenticeship programme that the company has been operating for a number of years. The programme aims to communicate the benefits of apprenticeships, promote Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects and work within the local community to provide accessible training, career opportunities, and an alternative to further education.
The company’s Head Office and main factory is based in Scarborough, which is one of the 12 social mobility “cold-spots” within the United Kingdom. Historically, the company was subject to a skills shortage and, developed a programme whereby apprenticeships are tailored to individual candidates. This offers the opportunity to complete qualifications as well as acquire transferable employment skills. A one hundred percent of qualified apprentices go onto permanent employment which has reduced recruitment costs for the company, whilst diversifying and enthusing its workforce.
The continuous apprenticeship programme conducted by Dale demonstrates it to be a Cornerstone employer within the region. It is delivering a drive for social mobility across the region by visiting over 10,000 students from schools, colleges, universities and specialist events. Dale Power Solutions promotes many career opportunities available in an industry striving for future engineering specialists Dale has partnered with specialist learning bodies such as Derwent Training, Nybep, Tyro training and the University of Hull to customise the programme for each apprentice ensuring that they gain an understanding on different areas of the business. Currently, over 40% of Dale employees in their technical areas started their careers as an apprentice, including their CEO.
This is the third Queen’s Award to be awarded to Dale Power Solutions who received the Queen’s Award to Industry in 1971 and the Queen’s Award for Export in 1983. Most recently the company won Large Employer category at the National Apprenticeship Awards 2017 and was named as a Top 100 Apprenticeship Employer. In 2016 the company was also one of the first to receive the Princess Royal Training Award 2016 in recognition of their training and skills development programmes.
Tim Wilkins, chief executive officer at Dale Power Solutions is thrilled to receive the award. “It is a great honour to receive a Queen’s Award, especially one that recognises our work in the local community. Our apprentices work tirelessly with local schools and training organisations, providing information and advice to young people, parents and educators. Our training programme is synonymous with our growth strategy. By investing in apprentices we can continue to grow a healthy, successful and sustainable business. Receiving this award is a credit to everyone at Dale who goes above and beyond the day to day.”
Although the award is a greatly respected achievement for Dale Power Solutions it is part of the continuous organic growth the company has achieved over the years. Recently Dale received a £9M investment from NVM due to its continued sales growth and development in an ever changing and demanding marketplace. In the past few years there has been over £1m invested in development and communication and IT infrastructure. The company also has recently invested £600k in a new factory located at its headquarters, an expansion of its product lines to meet emerging markets, additional staff and service capabilities.
www.dalepowersolutions.com
