Skills award delight

Barlows (UK) Ltd, an electrical and gas company based in Chadderton, beat stiff competition to win a Greater Manchester Skills for Business award in the construction skills category.


Alex Evans, training manager from Barlows, collected the award at a ceremony at The Hilton Hotel, Manchester, hosted by Dara O Briain, the Irish comedian.

Through apprentice training, the business in Watts Street has grown from five staff in 1980 to currently employing 195.

Bucking the trend during the recession, the firm’s turnover has steadily increased from £9 million in 2008 to £13 million in 2013.

With all training completed in their purpose-built training centres by Barlows staff, the organisation is the leading electrical trainer of its type in the UK.

Mr Evans said: “Training apprentices is a strategy embedded in Barlows’ corporate culture.

“The company now trains 60 apprentices and its success has been built on a loyal and effective stream of trainees who become highly-skilled engineers.

A total of 70 Greater Manchester organisations or individuals were shortlisted in 17 categories.

The awards are created through collaboration between the Greater Manchester Learning Provider Network, Greater Manchester Chamber of Commerce and New Economy.
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