News
Johnson Tiles In-House Scheme
Johnson-Tiles are the UK’s leading ceramic tile manufacturer and importer of ceramic wall and floor tiles. Established in 1901 they have over 100 years of experience and have evolved into a world class leader in the ceramic tile industry.
Johnson-Tiles invested £35 million in the development of an environmentally sustainable, fully automated, monoporosa manufacturing plant in the heart of Stoke-on-Trent. Their forward-thinking approach has won Johnson-Tiles The Sunday Times Best Green Companies Award coming 27th out of the top 50 entrants in 2008 and 25th out of the top 60 entrants in 2009` for its environmental measures. They utilise fired scrap ceramic products as a component in their production body. These products were previously disposed of in land-fill sites. Their commitment to development and sustainability is also reflected in the Training and Development of their employees.
Johnson-Tiles, in partnership with Stoke-on-Trent College, and other providers offer an in-house apprenticeship scheme. The aim of the scheme is to attract young people 16-18 years of age into Johnson-Tiles and the ceramic industry. It offers the apprentice an opportunity to be trained in a wide range of skills. Upon completion of the apprenticeship they obtain a nationally recognised qualification.
Bob Dudley, Personnel Officer for Training and Development who has 50 years of knowledge in the industry at Johnson Tiles said that the aim of the in-house apprenticeship schemes are designed to attract young persons aged between 16 and 18 years into the industry. The schemes which run over a two year period allow the candidates to be trained with a multitude of skills in every module within a department, achieving a certificate of competence and a nationally recognised qualification at the end. I would certainly recommend other companies to adopt this type of in-house apprenticeship scheme in their succession planning. I think the opportunity to undertake an apprenticeship is attractive to the young learner of the future, certainly within the Ceramic Tile Manufacturing industry at Johnson Tiles. Apprenticeship schemes will be our intended learning route for our future employees.
Stoke-on-Trent College train a considerable number of apprentices across a wide range of industries and are delighted to be associated with 6 of the 11 apprentices at Johnson-Tiles 3 of whom have achieved individual awards. Johnson-Tiles has ensured that the skills and standards required to complete the qualifications are in-line with their company policy of training employees to maintain and develop their “state of the art” production facilities, where they lead their sector.
Neil Thomas, Sam Williams and Jon Sutton have all achieved individual awards associated with their apprenticeships at S-o-T College. Luke Maxwell is the first apprentice to start the Johnson Tiles in-house apprenticeship scheme in January 2010. The majority of apprentices fall into the 16 – 24 age group however Johnson Tiles are very pleased that one of their successes is an employee with 20 years service opting to train for a new trade and he is now undertaking training to become dual skilled.
Jon, 22 from Bentilee, was the highest achiever on the City and Guilds NVQ Level 3 in Mechanical Maintenance Course. Jon said “I left Berry Hill High School with a few GCSEs and started at Johnson-Tiles doing labouring jobs for a short while before I was asked if I would like to learn to be an electrician on the apprentice scheme. I am really pleased that I have had this opportunity to work for this company for the past six years”.
Sam Williams, 18 from Kidsgrove, is a third year apprentice. Sam said “I think that the apprentice scheme is great, I always wanted to do something practical and started a plumbing course at Stoke on-Trent College, before being told about a chance to apply to become an apprentice in heating and ventilation. I successfully applied for the position and I am still at Stoke-on-Trent College in Burslem on block release, which means I am sometimes studying in the College for up to four weeks at a time. I intend to finish my Level 3 Course then obtain my Gas Certificate and additionally will take any further training that Johnson-Tiles request me to do.
Neil Thomas, 19 from Fegg Hayes, was still a pupil at James Brindley High School when he was informed that Johnson Tiles were looking for apprentices. He applied and was accepted straight from school. He has been with the company for two and a half years.
Luke Maxwell, 16 from Kidsgrove, read about Johnson-Tiles apprenticeship scheme in the “Sentinel” and successfully applied for the position in January 2010. Luke said “I am so glad that I have chosen a career with Johnson-Tiles, as it was a chance for an apprenticeship in the ceramic industry. I can train and earn money at the same time. After two years I hope to be a fully qualified Glaze Production Operative and go on to the next level within the Department. My Dad, Kevin worked for this company for over 13 years and he is really proud and happy that I am working for such a great company”.
Mrs Ann Moult, Head of Training and Human Resources at Johnson-Tiles, and Chair of the Glazed Ceramics Industry Board said “Johnson Tiles has had an Apprenticeship Scheme in place since 2003 following the conclusion of a major project undertaken to amalgamate three manufacturing units onto one site. The factory is highly automated and has an above average age profile. It was recognised that the specific skills required in the future within the tile industry were not widely available in this area. We decided that the best way to develop those skills would be by utilising the knowledge from within the company, and ensuring that a formal qualification was gained by the individual. The partnership with Stoke-on-Trent College has enabled the apprentices to fully benefit from both types of learning.
Proskills, the Sector Skills for the process and manufacturing sector which includes the Glazed Ceramics industry helps to set the skills standards and qualifications for the industry and ensures that the skills and funding system delivers against the current and future needs.
Mr Tom Bowtell, General Manager of Proskills SSC said “the glazed ceramic industry is faced with an aging work force and forward-thinking companies like Johnson-Tiles are planning ahead to ensure that they have the next generation of skilled workers available to them”.
Mrs Lynda Broadhurst, Business Development Manager, for Stoke-on-Trent College said “We are proud to be associated with Johnson – Tiles. Their commitment to keep the Ceramics industry sustainable within the heart of Stoke on Trent is commendable. Their vision and approach to training and development is an excellent example of best practice that other employers could easily embrace and benefit from.”
Mrs Ann Moult, Head of Training and Human Resources Mr Tony Cotton, Head of Manufacturing, and Bob Dudley, Personnel Training and Development Officer, have been responsible for these very important strategic moves as Johnson-Tiles successfully move forward.
For more information about training and qualification in the Glazed Ceramics industry contact Lisa Williamson on 01235 432 029 or at lisa.williamson@proskills.co.uk
Or for more information on linking in house training to a nationally recognised qualification, click here