Case Study - Penkhull Electrical

Stoke-on-Trent based electrical contractors, Penkhhull Electrical have witnessed a positive impact on their business as a direct result of training they accessed through grant funding.

Penkhull Electrical were recipients of a Skills Hub grant funded by UKSPF through Stoke-on-Trent City Council in late 2023.??The grant was administered through Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Skills Hub

The company was established in 1976 and over the decades it has provided a high quality of service to countless commercial and domestic customers. ?The current co-owners are Greg Smith, son of founder Peter Smith, and Darren Evans. The business prides itself on its innovative approach and it offers services ranging from rewires and new build electrical fits through to smart home electrics and green solutions.

Greg Smith said: “We have a great deal of specialist knowledge and paying attention to technical detail has enabled us to build to build a successful business based on customer satisfaction and a job well done. However, business is fast paced and we had a identified a skills gap in marketing tools and techniques needed to hit our target market and to stay ahead of the competition.

“I made some enquiries and found out that there was funding available through the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Skills Hub for specific training geared to business growth. I contacted Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce who were helpful in guiding me through the application leading to our award of ￡2500 and helping us to find the best trainer to fulfil our specific needs.

“The Skills Hub team at the Chambers Lynn Aspinall matched us with local training specialists, with David Lowe at Catch22 Solutions who delivered bespoke marketing and management skills training to six members of our team"

?“The training was excellent, especially the strategic marketing techniques and within weeks of completion we had gained two high quality contracts as a direct result of the intervention.

?“I would recommend the service of the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Skills Hub , their local knowledge and expertise in matching needs to training is second to none. Our marketing is greatly improved which, giving the team increased confidence which in turn is helping us to reach our target market and sustainably grow the business.”

Suzanne Quinn , Project Manager id the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Skills Hub at Staffordshire Chambers of Commerce said: “Upskilling staff can impact the growth of an organisation, so to see how a Skills Hub Grant has had a direct impact on a business like Penkhull Electrical is fantastic and shows how a relatively small investment can have a huge return.”?

To speak to the Stoke-on-Trent & Staffordshire Skills Hub about training and funding streams email: [email protected]