High flyer, Paul secures vital support from local engineering company

Fran Cormican and Paul Stephenson from Eston, Middlesbrough

Aspiring Pilot, Paul Stephenson from Eston, Middlesbrough, has received vital funding from Middlesbrough-based engineering company, Intelect, to help him towards achieving his dream of becoming a Commercial Airline Pilot.

Earlier in the year, Paul, a former award-winning RAF Air Cadet, was offered the opportunity of a life time - a partial scholarship to complete his Air Transport Pilot License in Dundee, Scotland.

Despite the partial scholarship removing some of the financial burden that Paul would face, financial circumstances in his personal life meant he would still struggle to find the remaining funds to cover the cost of his exams and other expenses.

Not wanting to give up on his dream, Paul’s grit and determination shone through, and he took the chance and moved to Scotland, where he began his training with premier flying school, Tayside Aviation.

Knowing how much flying meant to him, while he was away, Paul’s family and friends began drumming up support to help him through his qualifications, with some of them even completing the Yorkshire Three Peak Challenge as a way of fundraising.

After hearing about his successful achievements with the RAF Cadets on the radio earlier in the year, where he received the ‘Flying Excellence Award’, and seeing that his family and friends were trying to raise funds to help him, Managing Director of Intelect, Fran Cormican, reached out to Paul.

“As soon as I heard that Paul was in need of support, I instantly wanted to help him. His passion and determination about flying comes across in everything that he does, and I firmly believe that his financial situation shouldn’t hinder his ability to do what he loves” said Fran.

Intelect’s £1,000 sponsorship will contribute towards the payment of 14 compulsory exams that Paul has to sit, and pass, in order to achieve his license. Each exam comes at a cost of £73 and must be sat in London at three separate intervals throughout the first-year of his three-year course.

Speaking to Paul about his journey, he said, “Since the age of 13, all I have ever wanted to do is become a Pilot. The RAF Cadets have played a huge part in my development as a person, and in my Pilot career, and I cannot thank them enough for the opportunities they have given me – I wouldn’t be where I am today without them.

“The continuous support of my family, friends, the RAF Cadets and now local businesses makes me even more determined to achieve my dream, and it’s now becoming a reality before my eyes with the help of Tayside Aviation.”

“Intelect’s support has lifted a huge financial burden off my shoulders, allowing me to focus solely on passing my exams. Never in my life did I expect this to happen to me, and I will be eternally grateful to everyone who has helped get me to where I am today” he continued.

"Since the age of 13, all I have ever wanted to do is become a Pilot."

Intelect achieves a Silver RoSPA Health and Safety Award

Intelect, has been handed a prestigious award in recognition of its practices and achievements in helping its staff/customers/clients/contractors get home safely at the end of the working day.

Intelect has achieved a Silver in the internationally-renowned RoSPA Health and Safety Awards, the longest-running industry awards scheme in the UK.

The RoSPA Awards scheme, which receives entries from organisations around the world, recognises achievements in health and safety management systems, including practices such as leadership and workforce involvement.

Nathan Jones, Group QHSE Manager, said: “We are really pleased with the award and looking forward to 2020 where we can showcase the innovations and investment taking place as we aim for greater success.”

Julia Small, RoSPA’s head of qualifications, awards and events, said: “The RoSPA Awards have become the key fixture in the health and safety calendar with new sponsors and new awards this year including the Leisure Safety Awards, the Safe@Work Safe@Home Award and the Inspiration Awards. Highly-respected, with almost 2,000 entrants every year, RoSPA award winners benefit from the wide-ranging rewards of improved sector reputation.”

Triumph for Intelect at the North East Business Awards Grand Final

Intelect were celebrating last month, after triumphing at the Grand Final of the North East Business Awards 2019, being crowned overall winner of the ‘Apprenticeship Award’.

The event took place at Hardwick Hall Hotel, near Sedgefield, and saw over 600 members of the regions business community gathered together to celebrate a successful year of business in the North East.

The night was a culmination of three regional heats, which took place in the months leading up to the event, where the winner of each of the three heats was sent through to the final.

Intelect were one of only two Teesside businesses to be crowned winners on the night, with fellow Middlesbrough based business, UK Pods taking home two trophies, ‘Newcomer of the Year’, and the ‘Services Award’.

Judges from the CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personal Development) were impressed with Intelect, when they heard how much time and investment they had committed to apprentices over the last 20 years.

Intelect triumphed the likes of well-known companies, Hays Travel and EGGER Ltd, both of whom have exceptional apprenticeship programmes.

Managing Director, Fran Cormican and Director, John Thompson were there to accept the award on the evening, and were thrilled to be recognised for their dedication to apprenticeships.

After accepting the award, Fran Cormican said, “Apprenticeships have been at the heart of our business since 1997, and continue to be to this day.

“Our ethos, ‘train to retain’ has allowed us to effectively grow our own workforce over the past 20 years, and our apprentices have brought a wealth of diversity and innovation to our business” he continued.

Other winners on the night included, Beamish, Living Museum of the North, The Wheel Company and Tharsus Group, who were crowned Company of the Year.

Intelect sign Armed Forces covenant to support ex-military personnel

Intelect, along with many other Teesside based businesses, have pledged to strengthen the relationship between local communities and the military, through the first Teesside Mass Armed Forces Covenant Signing.

The signing took place at Stockton Riverside College on Wednesday 29th May, with 9 companies in attendance, including Intelect, Casper Shipping and Darlington Building Society to name a few.

Intelect Director, John Thompson said “We are proud to be signing the Covenant today. The bravery and sacrifice that armed forces personnel in our country give on a daily basis is truly admiring. We want to ensure that as a company we are providing as much support and opportunity as we can for veterans as they start to build a new life in employment”.

The Armed Forces Covenant is a voluntary pledge, which outlines the moral obligation between the nation, the government and the Armed Forces. It encourages local communities to support the armed forces community in their area and promote understanding and awareness among the public of issues affecting the armed forces community.

Lt. Col Nathan Teale spoke about the benefits that the Covenant brings, “There is growing support for the Covenant in the region. This support genuinely matters and is championed by great ambassadors and employers who help seize the opportunity as our Service personnel transition from Service into the local labour market.

They also support our Reservists by allowing them to attend annual training across the globe, which has direct benefit to their employer. Lastly but by no means least our cadets are also supported, where the vast number do not follow a Forces career pathway, by seeking apprenticeship opportunities” he continued.

Having already been a strong advocate for supporting the Armed Forces, Intelect is proud to join the growing number of organisations that have already signed their pledges to recognise the value of the Armed Forces community.

Intelect’s Covenant was signed by Director, John Thompson, and Lt. Col Nathan Teale, Civic Engagement Task Force Manager for the Tees Valley.

Teesside Business Shines The Light On Mental Health

Left to right: Helen Wilson, Administrator; Kevin Willis, Contracts Manager; Louise Morgan, Company Accountant.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, Teesside based Intelect, are taking the opportunity to raise awareness amongst its staff, contractors and suppliers, of its renewed commitment to improving mental health services across its business and in the wider construction community.

Intelect, a supporter of The Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity, which provides financial and emotional support to the construction community and their families, will be organising a series of events, culminating in a ‘Lighthouse Day’ in September, where Intelect employees will be taking part in a Dragon Boat Race on the River Tees.

Nathan Jones, Group Quality, Health, Safety and Environmental Manager at Intelect said, “A big driver for the campaign is the fact that the leading cause of death for men aged 20-49 is suicide, and rates for any age group are among the highest in the construction industry, with an average of 2 construction workers taking their lives every day!

“I have worked in the construction industry for over 15 years, and I have seen first-hand how the pressure of dealing with mental health conditions can impact an employee. I have no doubt that the more we talk about mental health, the more we realise we are not alone and the better the outcomes become.”

Intelect’s support of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity helps to fund the charity’s helpline and mental health app. The free to access services provide a 24/7 safety net for all construction workers and their families, offering advice on welfare and mental wellbeing, emergency financial aid and support on legal, tax and debt management matters.

Intelect’s Director, John Thompson, said, “Everyone knows someone who has been affected by mental ill health, and will understand how important it is that help is available whenever and wherever someone needs it.

“As we enter Mental Health Awareness Week, we are proud to be backing the Lighthouse Club and its invaluable services, to let people know that potentially life-saving support is just a phone call away.”

Last year alone, the helpline supported 1,662 families in crisis and delivered nearly £1.5m in emergency financial aid.

Bill Hill, CEO of the Lighthouse Construction Industry Charity said, “On behalf of everyone at the charity, we would like to thank Intelect for helping us to spread the word about our 24/7 Construction Industry Helpline. With two construction workers taking their own life every single working day, it’s vital that no worker ever feels alone in a crisis.

“We provide both financial and emotional wellbeing support to everyone in the industry and their families and we can’t do that without the support of those companies within the industry, and those that support them.”

The 24/7 Construction Helpline can be reached by dialling 0345 605 1956.

Apprenticeship Award Success for Intelect at the Teesside Business Awards

North East Business Awards

Intelect secured victory at this year’s Teesside Business Awards, where we were crowned winners of The Apprenticeship Award, for our dedication and commitment to apprentices.

Judges from NIFCO chose Intelect as winners following a successful visit at our site on Riverside Park in Middlesbrough.

For over 20 years, apprenticeships have been the building blocks of Intelect’s ever-growing workforce, seeing over 85 apprentices successfully pass through our programme.

Our ethos ‘train to retain’ is testament to this, with or current retention rate of apprentices sitting at 54%.

Having built solid working relationships with training providers over the years, including the likes of JTL Training and Northern Skills Group, we provide invaluable training both on and off site to our apprentices.

Apprentices are given the opportunity to grow and expand on their knowledge at all times, and are pushed to achieve the best of their ability.

With over 40% of the Intelect management team starting as apprentices, succession planning is at the heart of Intelect’s achievements, ensuring a constant flow of talent and knowledge throughout the business.

Intelect have also recently been announced as a corporate partner of the High Tide Foundation, to continue to raise awareness of the career opportunities available locally to the aspiring young students in the Tees Valley.

Managing Director, Fran Cormican said: “We have dedicated over 20 years to training apprentices around our area, as well as expanding this throughout our other branches in Leicester and Grimsby”

He continued: “We are thrilled to be recognised for our commitment to apprentices, they play such a large part in our businesses success, and they bring a wealth of talent and innovation”.

Both Fran and John Thompson, Director, were there to receive the award, along with other members of staff from the Intelect team.Intelect will now go onto the grand final at Hardwick Hall, where they will go up against EGGER Ltd and Hays Travel, taking place on Thursday 16th May.

Award Success for Electrical Apprentice Alex

Intelect’s Electrical Apprentice, Alex Mason, has been named the North East Electrical Apprentice of the Year, by training provider, JTL.

Alex, who is one of 30 apprentices currently employed by Intelect, fought off fierce competition from other final year apprentices in the region, after being nominated by his JTL training officer, Paul Moorcock.

Since starting his apprenticeship in 2013, Alex has made significant progress, completing his HNC in Electrical Engineering, alongside completing the final year of his apprenticeship.

“My apprenticeship was a great learning opportunity for me, as it not only gave me workplace skills, but also life skills too. It’s helped me get one step closer to my end career goal of becoming a Chartered Engineer”, said Alex.

“Winning the award definitely came as a surprise to me, but it’s nice to be recognised for all of my hard work” he continued.

His training officer, Paul Moorcock, nominated him for the award after being impressed by his progress over the past 4 years. “Alex was always very proactive in completing his apprenticeship, he completed his course 6 months earlier than expected”.

“He has embraced his apprenticeship, and really sees the value it contributes towards his future progression” he added.

Alex plans to continue his career with Intelect, and has recently started a degree apprenticeship in Embedded Electronic Systems Design, eventually hoping to become a Project Manager.

Following his success in the North East heat, Alex will continue to the next stage of the awards, where he will go up against the winning apprentice from the Yorkshire region, to decide who will go to the JTL National Awards in London on the 6th of June 2019.

Alex was presented with his award at Intelect’s Head Office in Riverside Park, by JTL’s Regional Manager, Brian Mills, and will find out in the coming weeks if he has been successful in the next stage.

Middlesbrough based engineering company, Intelect have been working with JTL for over a decade, working together to train over 50 successful Electrical Apprentices in this time.

Intelect becomes High Tide Corporate Partner

High Tide Corporate Partners. Picture sourced from www.hightidefoundation.co.uk

Intelect and five other industry-leading Teesside businesses, have signed up as corporate partners to work with High Tide.

Founded in 2012, the Tees Valley charity, dedicated to offering young people valuable career experiences, has grown significantly over the last six years, creating a level of membership which offers considerable benefits both to the Foundation and businesses in the region.

Fran Cormican, Managing Director of Intelect, said: “We are thrilled to be entering 2019 as one of High Tide’s corporate partners. My fellow directors and I all started our careers as apprentices, and now apprenticeships are a major driving force in our business’ success.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to support the young people of our area, than to partner with a charity that promotes the same values when it comes to providing opportunities to the youth of Teesside.”

Read the full story here: www.hightidefoundation.co.uk/news/high-tide-buoyed-by-tees-valley-businesses

Think For 30 Seconds Health & Safety campaign

TF-30″ Think For Thirty Seconds

Intelect’s Health & Safety manager Dave Ritchie introduced the ‘Think For 30 Seconds’ campaign towards the end of 2017. The campaign is aimed at all members of staff and sub-contractors working at our own premises, on site or driving between locations.

The point behind the campaign is to raise awareness of the risks that appear around us throughout our working day and to remind us that pausing to consider how to proceed can prevent an accident.

The TF-30″ logo that appears at the top of the page has been designed to help us remember the importance of keeping ourselves and our colleagues safe in the workplace. We have had some stickers made up, which will be finding their way around vaious sites, equipment and vehicles. If anyone would like to request some for tool boxes or machinery then please contact Dave Ritchie on 07702 913252 or email Dave.Ritchie@intelectuk.com.

We have also introduced a QR Code into the design which can be scanned using the camera of your mobile device. The QR Code will provide a link to information relating to health and safety topics, and initiatives which will be updated periodically.

Why is this campaign so important?

There is no doubt keeping safe at work is important, no one would wish an accident upon themselves or a colleague, but you might wonder why we need to have campaigns, surely we all do our best every day to keep ourselves safe?

Well you would think so yes, but ask yourself honestly. Have you ever operated a piece of equipment or machinery with out the correct eyewear or ppe? Have you ever operated a piece of equipment or machinery without the correct PPE or the correct checks being completed? Have you ever driven a vehicle without defrosting it fully, or stood on something that’s not designed to be stood on to allow you to reach?

It’s these small oversights that we want to tighten up on so ‘daft accidents’ are avoided alongside more serious risks.

It’s good for business

Growing our business, securing work and jobs is equally important in maintaining a strong Health & Saftey strategy. In order for Intelect to achieve the accreditations and awards required to win new contracts and secure existing clients, we need to demonstrate our commitment to best practices accross our business. Please help us achieve our long term goals by adhering to, and suggesting improvements, for best practices.

We have produced some posters to help promote health and safety at work

If you would like to get some posters or stickers for use by your team, if you have any questions or need support, please contact Dave Ritchie (Health & Safety Manager) on 07702 913252 or email Dave.Ritchie@intelectuk.com.

Martin Heywood – Glanford & Scunthorpe Canoe Club

Glanford & Scunthorpe Canoe Club

Martin Heywood, Senior Design engineer at Intelect’s Grimsby office, and Publicity Officer and coach at Glanford and Scunthorpe Canoe Club, has helped to secure a grant for £10,000 from Sport England for eight brand new marathon racing kayaks and paddles. Martin then arranged the official unveiling in front of the local press by Andrew Percy MP and Rob Waltham MBE, leader of North Lincolnshire Council. Martin is in the centre of the photo below (at the back with the dark glasses) with Andrew Percy MP to his right. Rob Waltham is third from the left at the back. Also present in the photo are our marathon paddlers, and watching were other club members and parents. The publicity is important as Sport England like to see that their grant of National Lottery money is being reported to the local community.

Martin has been working hard all year on the club’s River Development Plan, writing the specification, getting quotes and preparing a presentation. The aim is to improve the competitive training facilities so we can develop slalom and polo as well as marathon. The award of the £10K grant is just the start! The project includes repairs to the river bank on both sides, installation of disable access paths, a floating rise-and fall jetty and to install permanent steel wires and poles across the river for a slalom course. Intelect Grimsby have quoted for this part and as few years ago Intelect Middlesbrough installed a similar system at the Tees Barrage whitewater centre in Middlesbrough. After the marathon kayak unveiling, Martin presented the project to our MP and council leader and they were very supportive. However, there were no promises of the funds necessary, so if anyone has £130K to spare please contact Martin ASAP!

Martin (left) with the award sponsor, club chair Iain Cameron and coach Steve Burnett

The week after the boat unveiling it was the prestigious North Lincolnshire Council’s Community Champion Awards at the Baths Hall in Scunthorpe. GSCC had two nominations: Community Sports Team of the Year for winning the Yorkshire Marathon league and taking our young paddlers to London, and Sports Achiever of the Year for one of our coaches. Much to the delight of our enthusiastic young supporters in the hall, we won both!

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