That’s the message from Chris Boden Hook, Managing Director, of Wright Engineering.
Wright Engineering has been at the forefront of engineering design, fabrication and installation solutions for the last 40 years.
“As an SME, finding enough good people is a barrier to being able to scale. It would be a massive shame if the UK is not involved in building the assets needed due to a shortage of workforce skills.
“We do a lot of in-house training and have a big focus on apprenticeships. Indeed, I started as an apprentice. We also invest in our people via mentoring and through ECITB training products.
“The ECITB supports us to upskill our teams, which has been really valuable to us.
“Together with our Relationship Manager, we identify and get the training that is tailored to our business needs. For example, welding that is suitable specifically to the work we do.”
Chris Boden Hook
Managing Director, of Wright Engineering
Using the ECITB levy to train teams
“We have used the levy to train our teams for well over a decade. Being able to draw down training in this way, rather than having to specifically find budget to fund it, works well for us.
“We build fixed heavy plant systems such as those used in quarries and power stations. The benefit of using ECITB training and upskill programmes is that they are fit for purpose and tailored to what we need.
“Types of training we have benefited from include site-based plant and equipment training. And where training has not been available through off-the-shelf programmes, the ECITB has worked with us to develop training.
“And the training is internationally recognised. So, our clients know when we have an ECITB certificate, it is fit for purpose and we are unlikely to need additional training to access sites.”
Wright Engineering wins SME of the Year
In November 2024 the company won SME of the Year at the ECI Training and Development Awards. Wright Engineering was recognised for its commitment to the continual professional development of everyone within the organisation, regardless of role or position, with long-term learning and team development ingrained in its culture.
On collecting the award Chris said:
“There’s a culture of training and development within our business.
“You can start at the business as an apprentice and progress to a senior management position. I’m a testament to that, as someone who started as an apprentice at the company and is now the MD – as are many other senior managers within our business.
“It’s about continual career progression and also about succession planning. We know that the directors today won’t be the directors of the future. Training and development is the only way that we will all progress.
“I would advise companies who are thinking about their own training goals and objectives to engage with the ECITB and their Relationship Manager. ECITB training is created specifically for engineering construction companies, like ours.”
About Wright Engineering
Wright Engineering has been at the forefront of cutting-edge engineering design, fabrication and installation solutions for around 40 years. Based in Worksop, North Nottinghamshire, the company specialises in the design, supply and installation of turnkey bulk materials processing and handling solutions, as well as providing mechanical engineering services to industry.
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