Macclesfield News - written by local people

Redundancy has led to new opportunities for many staff at Poynton based Aearo manufacturing thanks to fast-track training from Macclesfield College.

46 staff, usually involved in manufacturing workplace safety equipment and clothing, have just completed special fast-track European Computer Driving Licence (ECDL) and ECDL Advanced qualifications designed and delivered by Macclesfield College IT Tutor Lindsay Jones.

Staff from Aearo have been re-trained by Macclesfield College

ECDL normally takes 90 hours to complete, but was delivered in this case in less than 30 hours, allowing staff to complete it whilst still working at Aearo. Some of the group even progressed onto the ECDL Advanced course in the same period of time.

Val Morgan, IT Training Co-ordinator at Aearo commented: ‘We have used Macclesfield College for IT training for the past three years and have always had a good relationship with them. The tailored delivery of this course has given staff, who mainly worked on the shop floor, confidence and an extra string to their bow when applying for new jobs.’

A number of people also took bespoke IT courses in CV writing and for people wanting to move into other career areas, the College delivered Food Safety and Health and Social Care courses.  

Tutor Lindsay Jones commented: ‘Many of the people on the course have already secured jobs which they told me that they would never have got without the confidence and motivation the course gave them. I am personally very pleased that the course is helping to turn what could be an unwanted event for many into such a new opportunity.’

For more information on how Macclesfield College could help to train your staff call the Business Unit on 01625 410022 or see www.macclesfieldcollege.com