EDBRO has been a presence in manufacturing in
the Bolton area for over 100 years. They have over 200 workers and
are a leading company specialising in hydraulic cylinders. If you
have seen a tipper truck on the road recently – then the chances
are they have EDBRO hydraulics fitted to them.
Like many other SME manufacturing businesses, EDBRO are finding
the current markets challenging. The company has been working in
partnership with Unite & with local education organisations to
develop the workforce skills ready to take the company forward when
the upturn comes.
Steve Turner is a Unite workplace rep and
Union Learning Rep (ULR) and he has been one of the main driving
forces behind getting skills and training moved up the industrial
agenda.
The ‘day job’ at EDBRO is setting and
operating computer controlled lathes (CNC machines). As a time
served engineer and now 50, he knows this side of manufacturing
inside out. He understands the importance of a skilled workforce.
With support from Unite he has worked with the company to set up a
learning/skills task-group. The aim is to promote learning &
skills and hopefully set up a learning centre in the workplace.
Steve comes from nearby Chorley and is very
involved with the local community. Steve is really active in
Chorley Trades Council and the Labour Party. He used his skills
honed in the local community to get things moving. He pulled in
resources made available for just this kind of situation.
He told me “I don’t think people realise how
much the Labour Government and the unions have supported learning
& skills in the workplace.”
EDBRO are playing their part. Mark Fabbeni,
the Manufacturing Director has been particularly 
supportive of the learning strategy. The company has agreed
to recruiting more ULRs. Already Steve has got 3 workmates up and
running. They are Ken Lindsay, Stephen Halliwell and Brian Higson.
He is always looking for more.
Ken is a welder by trade and has worked at
EDBRO for over 40 years. He said “I’m really surprised at the
number of people wanting to improve their literacy & numeracy
skills as well as very pleasantly surprised at how willing the
company is to support it.”
Stephen too makes time for the role, showing
the value he puts on it. It can’t be easy between playing rock
guitar, football and Warhammer as well as proudly supporting
Liverpool football club. Just to make his life more interesting and
hectic, he is getting married at Christmas.
Brian, like Stephen is a CNC machinist. He comes from
Bolton and has worked in the plant for over 5 years. Brian told me
“This is an excellent opportunity, not only for the workforce, but
for ULRs to develop their skills too.”
Between them, the company and learning
organisations like Bury College and Bolton College and the
TUC/unionlearn. They are well on the way to getting that all
important Learning Centre. There is an earmarked room, donated
computers, some funding and resources in place.
We are looking to follow this team over the
next 18 months and see how they get on. So no pressure there then.
Watch this space. Training is definitely moving up the industrial
agenda here in Bolton. A lot has been achieved in the six months
since this kicked off. Let’s see how far they can get in 2
years.
