Somerset-based specialist business improvement and people development consultancy Exelin has appointed a new Apprenticeship Programme Lead for the South West.

Liz Allan has more than 15 years’ experience helping a wide range of businesses and other organisations improve their working practices across manufacturing and service sectors.

Also an accredited vocational assessor, Liz has delivered Business Improvement Techniques and Apprenticeships within FE colleges and training companies, and will be calling on her sector knowledge to create teams of champions able to deploy continuous improvement throughout their organisations.

Liz said:

“Apprenticeships have seen a resurgence in recent years as they’re proving a viable way of developing the right people for businesses otherwise battling skills shortages and facing difficulty in finding talented staff.

“Apprenticeships are now an established component of many successful and growing businesses long-term strategies.

“I am passionate about the positive impacts apprenticeships have on people’s skills and opportunities, whether the apprentices are new to the business or employers are choosing to upskill their existing employees.

“Apprentices of all ages from school leavers to the more mature and experienced amongst the workforce are benefiting, as is their employers’ performance, and even the wider communities in which those companies operate.”

Charles Hill, Director of Exelin (part of the Exelin Group and sister company to SWMAS), said:

“Liz has an outstanding track record helping businesses become more efficient and productive and we are extremely pleased to welcome her to our team.

“Workforce development is at the core of what we do for our clients and apprenticeships are an increasingly important part of that mix, particularly for the manufacturing, engineering and construction sectors with whom we work closely.

“Wanting to retain and develop staff, whilst improving employee engagement and business performance, are needs of all of these businesses.”

He added: “Liz’s experience, insight and passion for both business improvement and the ongoing apprenticeships agenda helps place our organisation at the very heart of these vital issues.”

To find out more about the Exelin Business Improvement apprenticeship training, visit www.exelin.co.uk/apprenticeships or call Exelin HQ on 01278 767 010.