A WORLD-LEADING company based in Wotton-under-Edge has secured its long-term future with a long-term approach to training and development.

Because of its location and a very small catchment area of potential employees, Renishaw plc is committed to recruiting and developing young people in engineering and manufacturing.

The process of "growing their own" began 15 years ago, and has ensured the success and growth of a highly specialised company, leading to a recommendation for the National Training Awards 2003.

Renishaw specialises in the science of measurement and designs, patents and produces high quality measuring instruments.

To succeed, and continue growing as it has - from 643 employees in 1988 to 1,534 last year - the business depends on a stream of talented young people.

One of the aims of the programme , under which 1,500 people have trained, is to retain employees for a minimum of five years - for them to consider joining Renishaw as a career rather than just a job.

In its search for talent, the company spreads its net wide, and offers trainees a four-year development scheme, post qualification. Each year it recruits on average 10 to 15 graduates, up to eight apprentices, 10 sandwich placements, 10 pre-university placements, 50 summer placements and 60 work experience students.

In partnership with other companies, Renishaw has formulated its own degree course in general engineering at Bristol University.

The modern apprenticeship did not meet its needs for technicans, so it developed its own scheme. Operator training has been developed in-house.

Its training programme "ensures a consistent flow of high quality individuals at all levels into the company", says personnel and training manager Gwyn Jones.

"Contrary to the current national trend we no longer experience difficulty in filling specific vacancies in certain skill sets."

It has been an undoubted success - with three former graduate trainees now on the board of directors.

National Training Award winners this year include Renishaw, which will now attend a ceremony at the Guildhall in London on November 18 where UK Special Awards will be made to a selection of National Training Award winners.