BR Distribution Marcelle

Marcelle

Barry and Christine Race have built up a successful specialist accessory supply business for drummers, BR Distribution Ltd, at Tanfield Lea, near Stanley.

But maintaining the rhythm of success more than a decade after founding demanded that the company needed to develop a key member of staff and this was done through the help of Business Link County Durham.

Marcelle Graham, an accounts manager, was recruited in January 2005. Despite already having Foundation and Intermediate level Association of Accounting Technicians qualifications and having many years experience, Barry and Christine recognised that furthering her studies would benefit the business.

BR Distribution had already worked with Business Link on a number of projects. One of their generalist advisers identified that there was a training need at the company and recommended that a specialist workforce development adviser, Sarah Boulby, visited to advise on training that would equip Marcelle with an NVQ Level 4 qualification as an accounting technician.

Sarah presented BR Distribution with the different training options available and the company then decided which was the most appropriate for both the business and Marcelle. It was established that The Financial Training Co Ltd, based in Leeds, offered a distance learning course that would provide the flexibility to fit Marcelle's lifestyle and home commitments and the company requirements. As Marcelle could continue working throughout the course she would be able to put the theory into practice to embed the knowledge she had learnt.

Christine Race said: "Marcelle wanted to continue her studies to higher levels and we recognised the benefits for the company in having better qualified and more knowledgeable employees."

In addition to her vocational training, Marcelle recently sat two associated accounting examinations and is expecting her results in February. She has more exams to sit in order to gain her full accounting technicians qualification in June.

Christine continued: "As a company, we are seeing the benefits of the training Marcelle has received. She is looking after our accounts much better than we could. Her knowledge and skills have saved the company money because she is checking invoices for accuracy, chasing credits and following up overdue accounts."

"Business Link were very helpful to us. We are committed to staff training as a company and gave an assurance that we were happy to release Marcelle to complete her studies."

"It takes self discipline, dedication, and commitment to complete a qualification without formal training sessions on a weekly basis."

"Having a dedicated accounting technician has freed up the time of my husband and I, allowing us to concentrate on running and developing the business."

"Offering training as we are, with the support we are receiving from Business Link, is helping us to honour our commitment to both our staff and customers."

"We are now developing our website supported through Business Link. The retail sector has had a difficult year and we feel we should make every effort to support our customers by offering a website which will inform the consumer about our products."

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