Pictured: Steve Pye, mastermind behind the training scheme and company engineer at Bullwell Trailer Solutions

A bespoke training scheme, aimed specifically at trailer engineers, which has been developed by Lichfield based Bullwell Trailer Solutions, has gained the seal of approval from its major clients. 

Following an initial trial period, the training scheme will now be rolled-out to all 54 of the company's mobile and on-site engineers. The internal accreditation programme aims to ensure that all Bullwell employees work to a minimum criteria approved by their blue chip clients. 

Bullwell reports that this is the first training scheme across the UK which is targeted specifically at trailer engineers. Consisting of three tiers of training - bronze, silver and gold - the scheme will train all employees, irrelevant of previous qualifications and experience, to a minimum of bronze level by the end of 2011. 

At bronze level, all employees will be assessed on their understanding of the testing criteria outlined by Vehicle and Operator Services Agency (VOSA) and follow the obligatory safety standards enforced at the Bullwell site. The aim is for all operators to work to a consistent level that is reflective of trailer manufacturer's standard of service. The training is mainly theoretical and requires a 75 per cent pass rate in a final exam. 

Steve Pye, mastermind behind the training scheme and company engineer at Bullwell Trailer Solutions comments: "Working alongside our key clients means that we were able to focus our training scheme around the specific requirements of blue chip companies. Ensuring staff keep their skills and knowledge up to date and that they remain working to the best of their ability is vital for our business. This comprehensive training programme has already proved beneficial to Bullwell in its initial trial period and we are delighted to be expanding the programme so that it incorporates all trailer engineers.

"Providing training for employees not only helps them develop their skills and knowledge, but it is also motivational and a building block for our continued success. Training plays an important role in ensuring Bullwell continues to provide a consistent high level of service and is something the company takes very seriously."

Steve Pye has been employed as a company engineer at Bullwell for the last three years, having previously worked as a research and development engineer at Trans America Leasing and a fleet engineer at White Arrow. He has been training engineers for the past 25 years. 

24 employees have successfully completed the bronze level of training during the trial period and will now move onto the silver level of training, at which point engineers are sent on manufacturer's training schemes to specialise in their varying servicing criteria. At gold level engineers will acquire a class I HGV license.  

Gary Bulley, managing director at Bullwell Trailer Solutions says: "This training scheme has the potential to be recognised by the industry at large. Steve Pye was instrumental in developing the standard times the industry uses today and we are very priviledged to have him working within our team. Looking forward, we can all see the potential for this training scheme to become a nationally accredited programme." 

Independently owned Bullwell Trailer Solutions Ltd, which employs 90 people, has experienced a sustained period of growth and expansion in both operations and service capability, increasing turnover by 20 per cent from £5.6 million in 2010 to a projected £7 million by its November 2011 year end.