The future looks clear for optics firm thanks to Skills for Growth

Colin said: “With the kind of technology we’re working with, we’re really pushing at the cutting edges of what the technology can deliver. We recognised that there was training required, both in technical training for the operators and also in softer skills training such as leadership, and rather than take it all on board ourselves, we thought we’d see what SDS could offer.”

Laua Collings, Business Coordinator (pictured centre) added: “When we were setting up the business, we had some people doing two or three different roles whilst it was still a very small team. We were asking questions like ‘how do we get an infrastructure in place’, ‘what roles do we need’, ‘what roles do we give people’, to be able to move the business forward. SDS was there to provide guidance that helped us to develop and grow the business.”

Colin said: “From the initial call we had with Kathryn we recognised that there was something there where we could build a relationship and get access to a wider skills development network and other resources, and we could tell quite quickly through her enthusiasm that there was an opportunity there to grow the business.”

Kathryn Hill, SDS Employer Engagement Executive (pictured right) came into the business to conduct a study and write a report on their skills needs.

Colin said: “Kathryn was able to speak to as many employees as she wanted to, so she could understand all the different perspectives, from people working on the shop floor, to senior management and everyone in between.

“It was great to have that independent view, which very closely mirrored our opinion.  It was easier to sell to the wider management team when we could say we’ve now got a clear roadmap of all of these things that we need to act on. We’re not on our own doing it, and we need to invest time and finances into the team.

“We’ve also got SDS to guide us and signpost us to other resources that are available.”

Actions that the company have taken already include introducing personal development reviews for all staff and reviewing and improving internal communications.

Colin continued: “Kathryn has also given us help with access to local universities and colleges, and we’re looking to see what additional training could be made available to staff. We’re also looking at how we could go down the apprenticeship route in the future.

“It’s great to have that support. We’ve been talking with her as well about getting access to school careers fairs to make young people aware of career opportunities within the photonics industry.”

Kathryn said: “ML Photonic were a great company to work with, they were so eager to use Skills for Growth to gain feedback from staff and then look at using their report as a structured plan. Scottish Enterprise Account Manager Pamela Ross highlighted our support as skills support was something the company was keen to progress. 

“Since completing the Employer Action Plan, the team have made some great progress and really embraced the recommendations to ensure their employees' voice was heard and made positive changes.”

Laura added: "Skills for Growth and the support we’ve had has made things a lot easier for us to action. Having it all laid out in a plan has been really helpful. Being able to identify each area for improvement and then taking that forward in stages, and also having somebody with Kathryn’s expertise and helping us to drive it forward has been a huge boost.”

Colin said: “We’ve been excited about the progress that’s been made since Kathryn came in to support us. You can tell that she genuinely wants us to be successful. We’d encourage other businesses to get in touch with SDS and see if Skills for Growth could help them.”