Cartridge remanufacturer Totalpost is celebrating its training schemes to help its employees progress in the company.

The company, based at Alston, has been providing advanced training opportunities in its factory and in business disciplines for over five years.

Its successes are being recognised across the North West, the firm says, as chairman David Hymers is regularly asked to speak at universities, colleges and other public sector bodies about how Totalpost has implemented a scheme that works for the employer and employee.

Mr Hymers said: “We recruit for attitude and let each individual’s skills shine through.

"By providing young people with opportunities to try working in different areas of the business they are able to find a career that they really enjoy.”

Dean Johnson started working as an apprentice at Totalpost in 2013.

After showing interest in IT, he was given the opportunity to try a role within that department.

Since then, he has developed new IT processes for the business and trained to become an ISO internal auditor, which helped when Totalpost recently passed its triennial review to achieve the higher standard ISO9001:2015.

Dean said: “I didn’t know exactly what I wanted to do when I began my career at Totalpost. I have been able to gain practical qualifications while getting lots of different hands on experience. This has been invaluable as I am now lucky enough to have a job I thoroughly enjoy.”

Rory Jewitt started with Totalpost in 2015 and is now factory supervisor.

He said: “I’m very grateful and fortunate at Totalpost, not just for the faith shown in recruiting me in the first place but also for the promotion I received and the opportunity to improve myself academically.

"I hope in time to be able to repay that faith by putting my new skills to good use and help Totalpost achieve further prosperity.”

Dale McCormack started out as a factory apprentice and was promoted to run the service desk, to collate and provide management information to customers, and undertake web design and graphics. He is now enrolled on a level three management course to further his skills and knowledge.

Team members Ruth Reed and Lisa Brightwell, long term employees, have undertaken study in business administration and ICT and have gained NVQ qualifications.

Mr Hymers said: "The opportunity to learn and upskill should be available to everyone. I am delighted that we are able to support our employees to do this across such a wide area of disciplines. It has helped our business as an SME enormously as we have people who can now multi-task across more than one discipline which helps with staff coverage in times of holiday or sickness.”