Talks continue over Vital’s 200 apprentices

TALKS are continuing to secure the long-term future of around 200 apprentices at the training arm of Salford industrial recruitment firm Vital.

Vital Skills Training was not put into administration alongside most of the group earlier in the month when fellow Salford recruitment group Morson conducted a pre-packaged acquisition of the business.

Nonetheless, training was suspended and apprentices went unpaid following the insolvency.

Vital Skills told TheBusinessDesk.com this was down to separate funding issues, but the reason for this was not explained. Outstanding wages have since been paid and training, at Vital’s base at the Soapworks scheme, resumed on Monday.

But management is continuing to search for a long-term solution which could involve finding a buyer or investors for Vital Skills.

The apprentices are contracted to Vital Rail, one of the units acquired by Morson, but TheBusinessDesk understands the apprenticeships are not valid if the training element provided by Vital Skills falls away.

In a statement Vital Skills director Rob Johnson said: “As we have previously stated, it is our aim and to preserve jobs and protect employees. With this in mind negotiations continue with potential buyers and investors. We are pleased to confirm that we secured funding last week to enable all outstanding payments to be made to apprentices. The training facilities reopened on Monday November 18 and the apprentices have resumed their courses.

“Vital Skills has suffered significant difficulties from delays in the receipt of funding payments and a considerable amount is still outstanding. Had this not been the case then the current situation might have been avoided. The directors have worked hard with Deloitte, as our advisor, and Morson has been very supportive of our efforts to continue the business. Since our parent company, Vital Services Group, went into administration, we have been working towards finding a solution to the difficulties we have faced because of this.

“Vital Skills and Training was, and is, not in administration and was not part of the Morson purchase on November 4. Morson acquired Vital’s recruitment businesses, but not its training – or CCTV systems or technology – businesses. We are working to secure a sustainable business for the future and look forward to resolving this matter soon.”

In a statement Morson said: “Morson Group is pleased to hear that Vital Skills reopened its training centres on Monday 18th November and that the payments outstanding to their apprentices have been made. We are extremely pleased at this positive step forward for all concerned, as a result of support and assistance from all stakeholders, including Morson Group. We continue to support discussions with other stakeholders to assist Vital Skills in securing its future. As this is an on-going matter we are unable to make any further comment at this time.”