A GRADUATE training programme managed by the University of York is helping two North Yorkshire businesses maintain a leading edge in engineering design and scientific practice.
Harrogate-based Rawcliffe Associates and the Stockbridge Technology Centre, at Cawood, near Selby, have benefited from the Graduate Asset Programme (GAP) funded by the Learning and Skills Council, which enables businesses to obtain financial support for training their employees.
Rawcliffe Associates used GAP to enable graduate engineer Matthew Ingram to train in the latest computer-design packages.
With a diverse range of clients, the company had difficulty finding time for training, but managing director Dominic Rawcliffe recognised the potential benefits of expanding their use of the AutoCAD design package by training Matthew.
Matthew said: "The best thing is that the training could be used straight away. I have learned a lot. I have increased my AutoCAD skills from a basic knowledge to one where I can make a real difference."
Cathryn Lambourne, a quality assurance manager, at the Stockbridge Technology Centre Ltd, used GAP support to train with the British Association of Research Quality Assurance (BARQA).
Set up by growers to create an independent horticultural centre of excellence, it is vital
that Stockbridge maintains a leading edge in scientific practice.
Cathryn said: "I attended a residential course in Cambridge that has allowed me to receive extensive training and membership of the association. This ensures that we receive regular updates on lab regulations to maintain our Good Laboratory Practice status."
The University of York's enterprise development manager, Andrew Ferguson, who manages GAP for small and medium-sized businesses based in North Yorkshire, said: "The businesses we talk to about GAP are mostly positive about training their graduate employees.
"Finding the time to train is always difficult, but the feedback we get from businesses that do commit is overwhelmingly positive about the results."
Updated: 09:10 Wednesday, November 03, 2004
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