27th September 07

Hi Everybody, Just got time to give you an update on the last course. Again everyone achieved and I'm very pleased to say that five of the candidates had work lined up even before the course finished. They went to all areas of the country working for Heyrods, Lancsville, HTC and MPS. The last lad wanted a short time off before looking for work and he's told me this morning that he's had an offer of work in Liecester.

I've also been contacted this morning informing me that there is a job offer in Manchester with Heyrods. As yet I've no one for it so it's looking good on the work front.

Debbie Showell, our lady operator is working in Cambridge for MPS and I'm also very happy about that. As I tell everyone, we are not an employer but we do not leave our people at the gate and try our best to point them in the direction of work.

The current course has kicked off and this time we have another first!! We have a father and son , that's Ian and me, training a father and son from Whitehaven, Cumbria. We also have 2 brothers from South Africa, one lad from sheffield and a lad from Leeds. I'll let you know how it all goes.

Next weekend is very busy as we're running a Sliner course over the weekend. Never mind - soon be Christmas!!!

7 September 2007

Hi everybody,
We had a good course again and everyone went away happy, two of the guys were already in work and we managed to point another two in the direction of an immediate start. I should hear from the remaining two shortly.
We've another good bunch of lads here and again five of them are staying at the Fox & Duck. We're on day two and already they're getting control of swings.
Some of them are staying for the weekend so we'll come in and give them a few hours extra practice, it all helps.
We're now booked up to the 3rd of December to 14th. After that we'll have a break and start a new course on the 7th January 08.
On the slinger side we've still got a few paces left for the November course. The photo is of Alfie, 19 from London who is celebrating passing the Tower Crane Operator Course.
Speak to you all soon.

28 August 2007

Hi everybody,
Finished another course on Friday and again, we all had a good time. Debbie Showell, the lady operator passed out with flying colours, as did the others. She has now gone on holiday and when she comes back we hope to help her get her first crane.
Here she is celebrating passing her Health & Safety Test.
Two of the lads started work today and the others are all in contact with potential employers.
Over the weekend we also completed a Slinger Signaller course. I've high hopes for these lads. One started in Newcastle this morning and the others should have no problem finding a place. The industry is very robust at this time.
We started a ten day course today, six lads. One from Dublin. The rest are from: Bradford, Widness, Heckmondwike, Essex and Sheffield. All are very keen to learn and again, five of them are staying at the Fox & Duck.
I'll let you know how they all get on.

13 August 2007

Hi everybody,
Finished a two week course last Friday. Six successful candidates left us. Two brothers went to work in London, two lads went to work in Liverpool (their home town), the fifth man is from Dublin and went straight to work in Kilkenny. The remaining man is from Swansea and we're waiting to hear that he is starting work next week. It was another great course and we all enjoyed ourselves!!
We've started another course today and on this one we've got a first! We have a lady candidate. Her name is Debbie Showell and I'm sure you'll all hear more of her. She is from Bradford and I'll let you know how she fares. The others are from Manchester (2), Norwich, Sheffield, and London. Five of them are staying at the Fox & Duck Hotel across the road, £20.00 per night with a lovely evening meal. Not the Ritz but good clean digs and the lager's not bad!!
I'll come back on here again with an update at the end of the course.