L A T E S T

N E W S

Middlewich bathroom factory to reopen

Unity has welcomed the proposed purchase of the Ideal Standard factory in Middlewich by Hong Kong-based Imperial Bathroom Products, which will create around 125 jobs. When Ideal Standard closed in June almost 250 workers lost their jobs, most of them Unity members. If the purchase goes ahead about 125 people will be employed at the site by the end of the year. Unity Divisional Officer Harry Hockaday, who takes over as General Secretary in January, said: "Unity has been in contact for several months with Ideal Standard and Jan Klomp of Imperial Bathrooms Hong Kong, relating to the potential purchase of the Middlewich manufacturing site. "Unity is therefore delighted with the news that the proposed purchase of the Ideal Standard factory at Middlewich is close to completion "With the closure of the Twyford and Ideal Standard factories with the loss of 350-plus skilled workers, it is good news that there will be approximately 125 jobs created at Middlewich. "The decision to bring manufacturing back to the UK from China, recognising the wealth of skills and expertise available, is a monumental decision against the backdrop of UK companies choosing to move some or all of its manufacturing overseas."

Anne Lipski of Axia Solutions (back row right) with WWRD diploma achievers Pauline Flynn and Lesley Birch, and seated (left to right) Karen Gregory, Karen Dovey and Tina Daniel.

WWRD employees boost their skills with new diploma

Skilled Unity members at WWRD Barlaston have became some of the first in the ceramic industry in Stoke-on-Trent to achieve the new Diploma in Ceramics Manufacturing. The new qualification reflects the high level of skills in the industry and comprises a series of units, each of which carries a credit value. Credits can be used as exemptions if a successful candidate decides they want to go on to study for further qualifications. Said assessor Anne Lipski (a former WWRD employee) of training provider Axia Solutions: "This new vocational qualification demonstrates the skills and knowledge required by the modern day ceramic worker. It provides an excellent foundation for further development in the future." Karen Dovey, the Unity representative at WWRD, has been active in encouraging take up of the diploma by achieving the qualification herself. She said: "This is a great opportunity for employees to achieve a nationally recognised qualification in the workplace."

'Fast track' training leads to awards

During National UK adult learning week in May, the Middlewich site of Ideal Standard celebrated the success of its employees, mainly Unity members, for the last time. The learning culture on the site has flourished in previous years with a close relationship between the company and its training provider, AXIA Solutions. It was that relationship which was key to the success of the first five months of the year once the announcement to close the site had been made. Working in close cooperation with the company, AXIA compressed a full year's training schedule into the five month rundown programme. Special attention was paid to those employees who had not previously been involved in learning, particularly in the essential skills of numeracy and literacy. In addition, the new Ceramic Manufacturing Diploma NVQ Level 2 was made available. The results were extremely impressive: 13 employees achieved BIT NVQ Level 2; 62 employees achieved awards in essential skills literacy and numeracy; and 18 employees were successful in achieving Ceramic Manufacturing Diploma NVQ Level 2. The awards were presented by site leader David Leadley and local MP Fiona Bruce. Mrs Bruce said the atmosphere at the celebration "was amazing and such a credit to all those in attendance". She wished the award winners every success in whatever new employment they found in the future. Pictured below are some of the successful learners with local MP Fiona Bruce, centre, next to Lynne Robinson, showing the RoSPA Gold medal she had received earlier that week.