The Skills Training Programme is a paid training experience open to 16- to 24-year-old young people in West Lothian. The Programme consists of up to 26 weeks blended learning within West Lothian Council’s training centre in Livingston with practical experience with local employers such as Window Supply Company in Whitburn.

The Skills Training Programme provides an excellent opportunity for young people to develop additional work skills and experience to support career progression. Equipping them with the necessary skills and hands on experience to achieve their goals and meet their maximum potential.

Following a factory tour and introduction to the business four young people have selected Window Supply Company as their chosen work placement. Currently working in the production department, they are gaining valuable practical experience and developing transferrable skills to help them transition to a full-time job or further education.

Lynne Wishart, Programme Officer, Skills Training Programme says: ‘We are so pleased to have the opportunity to form a partnership with the team at Window Supply Company. The four young people who are currently attending Window Supply Company as part of their work placement are all really enjoying the experience and talk about the skills they are gaining very positively. They also feel that they are being treated as part of the team which is great to hear’.

Martin Linden, Chief Operating Officer at Window Supply Company said: ‘We are delighted to support the Skills Development Programme which is a fantastic initiative to develop West Lothian’s young workforce. We hope that those who are taking part in the programme find their time at Window Supply Company not only an enjoyable and inclusive experience, but one that will enhance their skillset and equip them for the future.’

Window Supply Company | Door & Window Manufacturers Scotland

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The new employees, Matthew Bilton, 24, and Mackenzie Chantry, 19 have been taken on as part of a training programme to bring fresh ideas and talent into the company’s team, as well as NBP’s ongoing commitment to developing the next generation of enthusiastic and knowledgeable salespeople in its sector.

“In the building industry, what it takes to be a great salesperson is massively underestimated,” said Stephen Jones, Sales Director at Northern Building Plastics.

“Our customers know as much about the trade as their suppliers and we want to make sure that our salespeople are here to support them.”

Speaking more on why NBP has chosen to employ younger apprentices in the roles, Steve added: “A lot of people are keen to get into sales but often don’t have the opportunity or experience. We want to give young people the chance to bring their unique talents to our industry, as well as their drive and enthusiasm. We want to keep young people coming through into sales roles.”

“So much is changing in our industry, from the ways we buy and sell to how we approach sales and customer relationships. We’re always trying to make things more convenient for NBP customers, like the addition of WhatsApp ordering and our next-day delivery service, but we know that the old ways still work the best.”

Matthew explained that sales has always been a career he was interested in, wasn’t able to find the right opportunity.

He said: “So far, my training has been very much hands-on, allowing me to work closely with my line manager and the rest of the sales team, which has helped me settle in quickly. I’ve been getting to grips with the industry, our business and how we run our depots, learning everything I can along the way.”

Mackenzie also described that sales was something he had always wanted to explore as a career, saying: “I couldn’t pass up this opportunity, and everyone at NBP has made me feel welcome since day one. Ultimately, I aim to keep learning to work my way up.”

As well as introducing fresh faces to the team, the new apprenticeships gave NBP a chance to try out a new streamlined recruitment style. The ‘speed-dating’-inspired interview format gave candidates a 15-minute slot to sell themselves, and allowed Steve and his team to quickly prioritise those he felt had the right attitude and mindset to be the future of the NBP sales force.

Steve concluded: “We’ve invested in training our apprentices the old-fashioned way because we know that it works. Having young people with a new attitude is the way to a new future, but that’s no reason to turn our backs on the old ways that have stood us in good stead for so long.

“Customers can get frustrated when they’re going around in circles with automated phone lines and AI chatbots. Sometimes you just want to pick up the phone and speak to someone who knows what they’re talking about. At NBP, that’s exactly what we still want to deliver.”

www.nbp.co.uk

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