In-Comm targets ambitious expansion plans

In-Comm Training, which operates three academies across the Black Country and Shropshire, is looking to support companies with upskilling requirements, access to new digital skills and over 60 trailblazer apprenticeships.

This includes, for the first time ever, access to a Level 6 Apprenticeship in toolmaking with the Confederation of British Metalforming (CBM) and the formation of strategic partnerships with the University of Wolverhampton, Institute of Technology and Gestamp.

The blueprint for the future was revealed just a few weeks after Gareth Jones returned to the business, after successfully leading the integration of HK Technologies into the Engineering Technology Group.

He will join his sister Bekki Phillips at the helm following the untimely passing of their father Geoff four months ago and will be responsible for operations, sales and marketing, growth strategies and product development, as well as the continued expansion of the Training & Manufacturing Group.

“Covid-19 and Brexit uncertainty are two major challenges for UK businesses and we have to face up to the reality there could be record unemployment next year and a significant skills drain if we’re not careful,” explained Mr Jones, who will take over the managing director role at In-Comm Training.

He added: “We have a massive job to play in the recovery. Firstly, supporting our clients to safeguard and diversify their talent pool and, secondly, offering them unlimited access to our experts, facilities, technology, technical partners, upskilling programmes and expert consultancy.

“This will allow them to embrace innovation, product/process development and productivity through automation so they can be more competitive.”

He continued: “Our clients are telling us that they now want to invest, but they need the government to give them some much-needed certainty and create a climate that will encourage spending on the latest technology.

“It was a difficult decision to leave HK Technologies and ETG, but following the death of our father, it felt the right time to come together and put us in the best position to meet the challenges and explore the opportunities next year will offer.

“ETG has treated me brilliantly and will remain extremely important technical partners for our business.”

In-Comm Training www.in-comm.co.uk