Plastics manufacturer Wrights pledges to recruit from NEETs

A WEST Midland plastics manufacturer has taken a leaf out of Marks & Spencer’s employment strategy in an attempt to boost skills levels.

West Bromwich-based Wrights GPX said it had been inspired by the retailer and now planned to implement proposals to ensure its workforce always includes a proportion of low qualified workers.

Andy Watkins, commercial director at the firm, said: “As a leading retail display supplier to Marks & Spencer we are regularly invited to conferences devoted to sustainability and community development. Like many of their suppliers we wanted to show a commitment to our community in a practical way.”

Under the new policy 2% of Wrights GPX’s staff will be drawn from those with low or no qualifications, many of who are classified as NEET – Not in Education, Employment or Training. The Office of National Statistics currently estimates there are more than 1m NEETs, over half of whom are seeking employment.

“We already have a strong Apprenticeship Programme and this new programme will strengthen our commitment to developing skills in the West Midlands area. We don’t want people who have left school without qualifications to think they cannot build a career,” added Watkins.

Wrights GPX supplies a range of clients and a major aspect of the business is creating bespoke retail display and point of sale display. The company, which has a 42,000 sq ft production facility, together with a 9,000sq ft warehouse, has worked with a number of clients including Selfridges, The John Lewis Partnership and The Raddison Hotel Group.

The firm has said it will work with local employment agencies and hopes to be appointing its first recruits under the scheme in the next eight weeks.