Turton Industrial Doors are a longstanding Bolton business who have just become a member of thebestof bolton. They are an exceptional company who pride themselves on giving fantastic service at a fair price.

Recently Co-Owner Lesley Turton decided to enter her apprentice Natalie into the Bolton and Bury Business Awards in the catagory of Apprentice of the Year 2011. Natalie went on to win this accolade and below is her statement.

"Last month i won apprentice of the year at the Bolton & Bury Business awards which was a really big achievement for myself and also for the company. I didn’t think that I would win the award as the competition was very high between all the candidates.

I now hope that winning the award will open new doors to new competition. Since winning the award I have been involved with different activities such as the student challenge week with Wilds accountants, where myself and Lesley went in to talk about the company and the different aspects of employment, we also went to Bolton College and spent the day with the NEAT group, again explaining about apprenticeships and employment."

Lesley firmly beleives that taking on an apprentice in a business is a fantastic way of recruiting for staff. Lesley told me that she feels it takes some time and effort in making sure you have the right candidtate for your business and interviewing is essential. Just because the role is an apprenticeship role, it should not be devalued and de formalised. Lesley explains below the real and tangible benefits that she feels Natalie has brought to Turton Industrial Doors.

"Natalie has given the company so much over the last two and half years. Joining the company, Natalie threw herself straight into learning what she could, it’s almost like she absorbs what she can and uses it to her advantage. Over the years the company has been dealt some very tough times and Natalie has helped us though them, doing what has ever been needed.

Some of the things Natalie has gained are sage accounting and sage wages, building a website and also learning how to optimise it, which has saved the company thousands of pounds. Learning how to deal with customers and being able to deligate other members of staff, at the same time also doing her NVQ level 2 and 3 to which she passed with flying colours.

Natalie’s communication skills are second to none. Natalie never complains just gets on with whatever needs to be done. The reason I have benefited from Natalie working for the company is: before Natalie joined us the work load was getting bigger and bigger for me to cope with, I knew I needed some help, this is when I turned to connections.

I interviewed many, however, there was only Natalie who seem to have the enthusiasm to want to work, she also had a goal, she knew what she wanted and were she wanted to go, to which in itself is a key. Natalie has also helped the company to gain many different accreditations, to which the company has benefited from having. The accreditations have allowed the company to compete with much bigger companies, to which we never thought we could do. Natalie’s enthusiasm for work and achievement is second to none, so much so I am at present trying to recruit another apprentice - to no avail. I wish I could multiply Natalie.

I hope Natalie continues to work this way, if she does she will go far. I will continue to push Natalie in this direction for her to keep achieving her full potential."

If you would like more information about Turton Industrial Doors or to enquire about their apprentice vacancy, contact them on 01204 689077