The Teignmouth Rugby Club has experienced a significant transformation, thanks to the leadership of former Army Staff Officer Mark Brookfield, who enrolled his team in the Open up to Skills Initiative offered by Devon County Council and delivered by Seetec Pluss.
After serving thirty-four years in the military, Mark took over as the leader of the rugby club. He recognized the importance of building the club from its foundations to achieve its goals, especially after the challenges brought by the pandemic.
The Open Up To Skills initiative, provides free training opportunities for employees in the county, and Mark took advantage of the programme by enrolling his staff in a Food Hygiene and First Aid course, fully funded by the initiative.
The training has significantly improved the skills and professionalism of the club’s employees, and Mark believes that investing in the workforce has both short-term and long-term advantages for the club’s future.
His approach has paid off, and the Club has seen a remarkable transformation in just six months. It is now poised for a brighter future, thanks to the dedication and leadership of Mark and his team.
Janet Francis, Employer and Learner Executive for Seetec Pluss, explained how the initiative has helped the club and the wider community: “Supporting Teignmouth Rugby Club through the Open up to Skills initiative has been fantastic.
“Not only have we supported Mark’s team members and volunteers to upskill, but we’ve also used the site to deliver training to the wider hospitality community in the area.”
Looking ahead, Mark has big plans for the club’s development;
“We want to build a new clubhouse and expand its operations, starting with a café, where those staff members who have completed the Food Hygiene course can start work straight away.”
The Open up to Skills initiative has been a crucial support for businesses and employees in the hospitality sector, providing free training and upskilling to help businesses adapt and succeed in these challenging times.
