The current recession is unprecedented in its scale and manufacturers need to take a brutal approach to managing their businesses through these times. David Spears, Managing Director of precision pressings specialist, Brandauer, has not only survived two recessions but recently managed the company from the brink of bankruptcy to the best annual performance for 145 years. In this short video Spears talks about the importance of managing cash flow and thinking strategically in making tough decisions, how to reduce hidden costs by improving processes and about adopting a different leadership style to support your workforce in order to survive.

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THE RECESSION TOOLKIT

The Skills Academy Recession Toolkit is a unique series of short, high impact, manufacturing focused, hands-on workshops designed to effect rapidly progressive economic benefit to all small/medium sized manufacturing companies.

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THE SKILLS ACADEMY HELPS UK MANUFACTURERS ACHIEVE A £12M BENEFIT

On its second anniversary The Skills Academy has announced that its unique approach to skills training has helped companies using its programmes to achieve a combined £12m benefit from a £2m investment in skills training in 2008.

The Skills Academy approach is based on two years of research and product development to enable work-based learning to achieve its full potential. This has resulted in a new systems-based approach to learning from The Skills Academy known as the Learning Engine.

We'd like The Skills Academy website to not only meet but exceed your needs every time you visit. We need you to help us achieve this. Please could you spend a couple of minutes completing our online survey. Weâ??ll use your feedback to develop the site that you want.

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• Lean Foundation
• Advanced Learning Practices Programme

Semta - working with employers to improve performance through skills

Semta is the Sector Skills Council for Science, Engineering and Manufacturing Technologies. Semta supports UK businesses in achieving global competitiveness through investment in skills.

Semta is working with companies of all sizes right now, helping employers develop staff to ensure their business is well placed to beat the recession and prepare for recovery.

BE ONE OF THE FIRST USERS OF myskillsadacemy.com

myskillsacademy.com is a unique learning resource that is now live and available to the manufacturing sector. The site facilitates increased returns on learning investments for both learners and employers.

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MEMORANDUM OF UNDERSTANDING

The National Skills Academy for Manufacturing and Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG) at the University of Warwick signed an agreement on Friday 23 rd January to pool their collective knowledge in skills development for the benefit of UK manufacturing.

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FAST TRACK TO HIGH SPEED DELIVERY OF LEARNING

The National Skills Academy for Manufacturing has developed a provider training programme that supports work-based trainers in becoming world-class in their training delivery.

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QUALITY ASSURED PROVISION

Over the last two years The Skills Academy has quality assured over 350 trainers and assessors to deliver the Business Improvement Techniques (B-IT) NVQ. Combining the continuous improvement tools within the B-IT programme, with excellent training provision, has resulted in bottom line business benefits for many manufacturing organisations. By asking for a Skills Academy approved provider in your organisation, you are receiving a beacon of security that will maximize your best return on investment. To see our current list of approved B-IT training providers

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Email: enquiries@nsa-m.co.uk

Phone: +44 (0)121 329 1970

Web: www.nsa-m.co.uk

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