1 Insight March 2018

March 2018 March 2018 Insight 1 March 2018 March 2018 Talented apprentice Ryan sees innovative training system go global talented software developer from Warrington & Vale Royal College privilege to be a part of.” ambassador for our company, the college and apprenticeships in A has changed the way Stanley Engineered Fastening operates, with his He added: “My apprenticeship innovative training and succession system now set to go global. general. His phenomenal success with Stanley Black & Decker would is the combination of his passion, Ryan Kenny, a software developer development. Ryan initially started not have been possible without drive and appetite for learning, apprentice at Stanley’s Woolston on a week’s work experience Warrington & Vale Royal College. coupled with excellent support base, recently returned from an all- placement working within The college has been great, they from his mentors, company and expenses paid trip to Miami, where continuous improvement where we really have, and my tutor Tim has family; it brings the Warrington he received the prestigious ‘Make could utilise Ryan’s Software skills been so supportive. I couldn’t have Operations Plant great joy to see the World’ award and $10,000 in to support this exciting project. asked for a better tutor.” Ryan flying high.” Stanley Black & Decker shares, in “During Ryan’s time during recognition of his hard work. Stanley HR manager Paul To find out how you can follow in work experience and his Atherton, said: “Ryan is a fantastic Ryan’s success, visit wvr.ac.uk During the trip to America, the 17 apprenticeship Ryan has developed year old – who has been offered a at an astonishing pace, supported permanent position with Stanley– academically by Warrington & Vale was invited to sit on the top table College, where he has extended his with Stanley Black & Decker IT software development skills and President and CEO Jim Loree. a solid understanding of multiple aspects of the business. Ryan has Ryan’s incredible success comes displayed what a young student can less than three years after first achieve with hard work, support walking through Stanley’s doors and commitment. as part of a work placement. He soon wowed his employers, “During his trip to America, Ryan with Stanley’s Manufacturing demonstrated the Centurion Continuous Improvement Manager system to colleagues in Chesterfield – Russell Lodge seeing the potential receiving excellent feedback from in him. all levels of the business, Ryan looks to be key in the system’s After attending an open evening implementation both in the States at Warrington & Vale Royal and in Europe in the future. College, Ryan enrolled onto an apprenticeship with Stanley In addition to his core through the college. apprenticeship IT technical studies, Ryan also completed the Level 3 He went on to create a cutting ILM Leadership & Management edge digital solution to meet the qualification at the college. He needs of the Stanley’s business. is now about to embark on a Ryan’s training and succession company-sponsored degree software – Centurion – tracks staff in Business & IT, following the development, alerting management completion of his apprenticeship ahead of time when they need to seven months ahead of schedule. put plans in place to replace staff, whether that be through recruiting Ryan is also being promoted to apprentices, upskilling current staff Business Systems Analyst and or employing new people. will work as part of the European Business Services Team. On how Centurion has changed the way in which Stanley operates, Ryan said: “When I walk through Russell Lodge said: “As part of our Stanley’s building in Woolston and employee engagement programme see my systems and what I have I have the privilege of working with built up there on 80 inch monitors, young talented individuals who with numerous people using them, show a passion for learning and it feels quite humbling. It’s such a A selfie to remember for Priestley student A TRIP to Washington led to a During a whistle-stop tour of the chance meeting with one of the political institutions they also most senior figures in American toured Capitol Hill before listening politics for Priestley College to proceedings in the Senate where students. Senator Chris Coons was speaking As they followed a tour guide out against oil drilling in Delaware. through the corridors of power they Tutor Oliver Lister said: “It was bumped into Speaker of the House really exciting for the students of Representatives Paul Ryan. because they recognised many of History student Charlie Bravo- the politicians they saw including Antelo was quick-witted enough Senator Ted Cruz.” to ask for a selfie and the former nominee for Vice President duly During a five-day trip the 20 obliged. students also visited several war memorials, Grand Central “I just saw him so asked and he Station, Times Square, the Empire didn’t seem to mind at all,” said State Building and the National Charlie, a former St Greg’s RC High September 11 Memorial & Museum School pupil. before taking in a Broadway The History and Politics students’ performance of School of Rock. chance encounter followed a visit History Tutor Jenny George said: to the White House earlier in the “The students were evenly split day. between those who enjoyed the There was no meeting with the political side of the trip and those current resident there, but it was an who preferred the hustle and bustle informative trip nonetheless. of New York.” 2 Insight March 2018 March 2018 From the Chief Executive Colin Daniels Traffic Congestion The cost of traffic congestion congested cities and towns To compound the situation to UK business has risen by increases the time each vehicle traffic has been getting almost £150 million in the spends on the road by an continuously worse since 2010 past year, according to research average of 129 hours a year with an average journey now conducted by TomTom. (up from 127) which means taking 30% longer than it would an average commercial vehicle in free-flowing conditions, up Latest figures revealed as part from 25%. of the TomTom Traffic Index, driver wastes more than 16 reveal congestion is costing working days while sat in “Traffic remains a serious UK business approximately traffic. issue for business and the £915 million a year in lost resulting delays have potential This translates to an productivity up from £767 implications for productivity, Ireland for TomTom Telematics. million in last year’s study. approximate loss of customer service standards and £915,239,520 for businesses even employee wellbeing” said One wonders what the cost is to Traffic across the UK’s most across the country. Beverley Wise Director UK & Warrington businesses. Rise in Unemployment? The 46,000 rise in But there is much more to it can co-exist as the population wages in the private sector are unemployment is the biggest than that. At the same time is growing. But the rise in up 2.6pc on the year, the fastest rise since the start of 2013. It employment also increased by employment outpaced the pace in 12 months. Public took the jobless rate up to 4.4pc 88,000 in the three months to 75,000 increase in the UK’s sector pay is up 2pc, its fastest from the 42 year low of 4.3pc. December. These two moves adult population. Regular rate since 2012. FDR Law Legal Clinic HR advice from Kim Hayton, HR Director at FDR Law UESTION: What next, now that the Employment Tribunal Fees have in sex discrimination claims. Government to people who made been dropped? a claim during the period and as a Q It was felt that many people who result of the fees being scrapped, would have normally made a claim ANSWER: abolished immediately. there has already been an increase were not able to, due to the costs of 64% in the number of claims In July 2017 the Supreme Court In the four years when a fee was involved and therefore this was made, and that is expected to rise ruled that the Employment required in order to put forward a considered a discrimination in further, and many will likely be itself. Tribunal fees introduced in 2013 claim, the numbers overall dropped from the period when fees were in were unlawful and as a result were by 80% and there was a 91% drop Fees are being refunded by the place. We would recommend that businesses take a look back over the last 4 years to identify if there could be any potential issues. Keep a dated paper trail of any current issues, even informally in an email to yourself can help you with remembering details and timings, which may or may not be needed in the future. It’s worth noting that in Unfair Dismissal cases, the burden of proof is on the employer to prove that an employee wasn’t unfairly dismissed. However, it is the other way around for Constructive Dismissal cases and it is the employee’s responsibility to provide the evidence. For HR advice, support and training contact Kim Hayton at FDR Law on 01925 230000 or email Kim. [email protected] International Business Centre President: Nigel Schofield Delta Crescent Chief Executive: Colin Daniels Westbrook, Warrington Cheshire WA5 7WQ International Trade Advisor: Tricia Francis Office Manager: Gail McGough Registered in England No. 2964304 Tel: 01925 715150 • Fax: 01925 715159 Administration: Charlene Haslam Members of Chambers of Commerce North West. [email protected] Editor / Group PR: Gary Skentelbery Members of Cheshire Chambers Enterprises Limited www.warrington-chamber.co.uk Design / Production: Paul Walker The views expressed by correspondents and contributors to this magazine are not necessarily those of the Warrington Chamber of Commerce & Industry.

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