Colin MacFarlane is the Association Manager of Bellshill YMCA, which provides a focal point for the community in the heart of Lanarkshire. Colin and his team face the challenge of developing a viable business while supporting the most needy in our society.
Two years ago, the former youth worker took on his present role. Colin manages delivery of the YMCA’s services which range from a busy community café to a sexual health project for teenagers.
Q. Can you give some background on your business?
A. Last year we celebrated our centenary and have always been a gathering point for people in the area, through sport, music and dances. We have our café, a gym, a childcare service and our £1/4million per annum youth projects range from a streetwork project to a drop-in centre.
Q. How many employees do you have?
A. 11 full time and 33 part time.
Q. What made you decide to contact learndirect scotland for business?
A. I realised how much I didn’t know about how business actually works!
Q. What happened next?
A. We had a visit from our training partner Gill and she got us thinking about training, strategy and engaging with other businesses in the area. In fact, we were lucky enough to link up with local handyman company Need A Hand – they volunteered their labour to do some much needed work on our premises and we supplied the materials. Now, we are working with them on a regular basis.
Q. What kind of training needs have you identified through this process?
A. We organised Sage training for some members of our staff and this has proved worthwhile too.
Q. Did learndirect scotland for business manage to source providers or courses that you wouldn’t have thought of?
A. Gill put us in touch with John Patterson at Business Gateway and we have been able to get information and advice that we didn’t know was available before.
Q. How do you think this training will benefit the business?
A. Every day we are fighting to make the Association more viable. Training can only help us do things better and meet that daily challenge.
Q. Has the business any major training initiatives planned for the future?
A. No
Q. Would you recommend learndirect scotland for business to other businesses?
A. Absolutely!