Training takes off for expanding Heywood business

Michael Bamford

A decision to ‘quit the day job’ and join a new business is paying dividends for Heywood resident Michael Bamford.

Originally working at heights as a scaffolder in Buxton, Michael was given the opportunity to join a new venture, supplying independent inspections of scaffolds on building sites. He took the plunge and joined the company, delivering his own safety inspections and training courses.

TASC (Training Assessment Training Consultants) began in Burnley, but with the majority of his clients located around Manchester in 2012 he moved the company to his home town, inside the distinctive location of The Old Police Station – now managed workspace in Heywood town centre, run by Rochdale Borough Council.

By 2015 the company had expanded within the centre, up to five staff, two bigger offices and its own training room. As the size of the company grew, so did its list of services, now offering over thirty accredited health and safety courses as well as consultancy services to businesses large and small.

With demand for services rising and a growing client base across the UK, the company expanded into a purpose built training and conference centre on Bury New Road in Heywood.

Michael said: “Looking back at our progress over the years, and particularly as I’m from the area, it’s great to have been able to build the business here in Heywood. Being in The Old Police Station amongst other like-minded businesses was a great environment to be in and it no doubt played a big part in our progress over the past five years.”

Councillor Richard Farnell, the leader of Rochdale Borough Council, said: “TASC are another great example of how our managed workspaces can help a company grow, giving them a helping hand and the support that they need. To see them expand into bigger premises last year and their commitment to Heywood is excellent and I look forward to their continued success.”

Next on the horizon for Michael, TASC are developing more bespoke courses working with builders and housing associations and are now an accredited CITB training centre, meaning staff in companies across the UK are coming to Heywood to take their courses.

Michael added: “Getting the national accreditation was a key development for us, and another way of putting something back into the local economy as we’ve regularly got delegates from across the country coming and staying overnight in Heywood.

“We’re also starting to use drones for site surveys of things like roofs, balconies and green spaces. This looks like being a growing market for us in 2017."