Youngsters are the future of growing gas safety business

A trio of youngsters is helping to drive forward the growth of Lancashire gas safety business, S&S Northern, following its re-location to new, larger, state of the art premises at Buckshaw Village in October.

New recruit Dan Dutson joined the company in November as an estimator and accounts apprentice and is one of three young staff members to join S&S Northern in the last four years.

Steve McMahon, managing director of the business, believes that investing in and training young people is critical to the growth of the business. He says,

He said: “Recruiting apprentices really appeals to us because we need people who can grow with the company and who we can train to do things the way we want to meet the needs of the business. The new ideas and input we receive from our young people has been second-to-none and their commitment, loyalty and support has been great.

"They bring new skills to the table which helps us to stay fresh and this has unquestionably helped us to maintain year-on-year growth. We plan to recruit more apprentices in the next couple of years.”

Dan, aged 25 from Mawdesley, previously a business development manager for a finance company, said: “I am really excited about working at S&S Northern. It’s a great a family business which looks after its customers and employees and is committed to training and developing its staff. I am looking forward to developing my skills with the company in the long term and in particular in accounting and book keeping.”

Dan attended Bishop Rawstorne High School and achieved 10 GCSEs and then took A levels at Runshaw College before completing a degree in Sports and Exercise Science. He joins Steven Halliday, aged 23 from Coppull, who started at S&S Northern in 2009 and 20 year old George Dobson from Leyland who joined as an apprentice in 2011.

Steven left Holy Cross High School with seven GCSEs and joined S&S Northern a couple of years later. After undertaking on the job training as an apprentice with customer service training to NVQ Level 2 with Runshaw College, he is now employed as a customer service engineer.

Steven said: “I enjoy working in this industry and think I have a pretty good knowledge of it now, so I feel confident in what I’m doing. My job involves the general running of the office, technical back up over the phone and technical back up on site. There’s a great team spirit at S&S Northern and I enjoy my work there. My aim is to keep progressing and improving on what I’m already doing.”

George, who attended Balshaws High School, achieved 11 GCSEs. He started his apprenticeship at S&S Northern in July 2011 and completed it within a year. He is now employed as a sales engineer, working closely with customers to meet their needs and provide technical expertise. George is also undertaking a part-time HNC for which the company allows him time out to work towards. George said: “S&S Northern is a welcoming company which is rapidly moving forward and presents great opportunities for the future. I hope to continue to progress in the sales area and customer service and complete my HNC.”