Trailer manufacturer Don-Bur has opened a new £45,000 Bodywork Training Centre.
The investment to the facility at the company’s head office in Longton, Stoke-on-Trent, comes following the successful launch of a Welder Training Hub in January last year.
The new centre will focus on new starters and apprentices and is designed to develop a wide range of practical skills required for building commercial vehicle bodies and trailers.
Areas covered include interpretation of engineering drawings, the correct use of tools and health and safety compliance.
Centre Manager Eddie Guest said: “When a new starter is placed straight onto the shop floor in their first week, it can be daunting and it’s often challenging for production teams to dedicate precious time towards their training.
“The new training centre is a valuable resource which provides trainees with a structured and practical improvement plan.”
The unit will be run and supported by three long-serving team members, who have over 40 years of experience between them, each with their own specialist knowledge.
Mandy Dube, a new employee at Don-Bur, learning at the training centre added: “It’s been really fun.
“The mentors have always got time for you, and I’ve learned loads.
“I was a bit worried before I started because I didn’t have much experience, but they’ve been great to me.”
The new Bodywork Training Centre will support other development programmes already in place.
Lisa Blake, Human Resources Manager at Don-Bur, said: “The business is built on our workforce so it’s critical we provide every opportunity for personal development and a better working environment.”
- On Friday, Don-Bur also hosted a visit from Richard Holden, MP for North West Durham and Parliamentary Under Secretary of State at the Department for Transport, and Stoke-on-Trent South MP Jack Brereton. The visit provided the opportunity to discuss the roll-out of new Longer Semi Trailer legislation, highlight the successes of the business as well as the challenges facing many manufacturing companies in the UK.
