Subcontractor Eurogrind visited by Wales First Minister to celebrate training

Backed by the European Social Fund, ProAct was designed to help companies through the economic downturn by providing financial support to increase the skills levels of the workforce.The ProAct programme has enabled Welsh businesses to retain in excess of 10,500 highly skilled jobs throughout the recession. This funding provided a lifeline that enabled Ponterdawe-based Eurogrind, which employs 28 people, to retain employees through the recession. The company also benefits from funding from the Workforce Development Programme to meet ongoing training needs. The proactive approach of Eurogrind managing director, Paul Kilbride, set the wheels in motion with regular discussions with the Deputy First Minister, Ieuan Wyn Jones. Liaising with the WAG, Neath & Port Talbot Council and Carmarthen College, the Eurogrind employees started the NVQ Level 2 qualification in Business Improvement Techniques in February 2010. Mr Kilbride comments: "We are extremely grateful to the WAG for its support through the recession. The ProAct scheme has enabled Eurogrind to retain the knowledge and skill set of its employees. As the business moves out of the recession our demand for highly skilled personnel is increasing and we are well positioned for growth with our staff retention, whereas our competitors will struggle to recruit skilled staff to meet the increasing capacity demands." Eurogrind is now about to embark on the next ProAct program, a level 3 NVQ that incorporates modules such as business weaknesses, productivity improvements and procurement. The company sees the improving skill set as instrumental to the company's future. Eurogrind is part of a group of companies that also incorporates BAW Precision, a subcontract manufacturer and automation specialist located on the same industrial estate as Eurogrind. The success of the ProAct scheme at Eurogrind has seen the Tier 1 subcontractor to the automotive, medical and aerospace industry follow its sister company on the same training path.