Safety training business thrives after accessing support

About the business

Training First Safety is a UK-wide specialist training provider, working with a network of local instructors and consultants around the country to deliver safety education for the construction industry. It provides an extensive range of courses, including working at height, safe use of power tools, and first aid.  

How Business Gateway has helped

In search of support to get started, Jenny accessed a range of Business Gateway start-up services, including 1:1 business support through her local office and signposting to funding opportunities. As a result, the business was awarded a grant which contributed to 50% of the costs to develop and launch the company website.   

Jenny was able to hire three young people, growing the business to a team of five. She recognised that the young members of the team required sales training to develop their sales skills and sought further advice from Business Gateway. Business Gateway helped provide expert sales support which helped the team to learn a professional approach and identify opportunities to upsell their services.   

Jenny also benefitted from DigitalBoost support, including 1:1 guidance from a digital expert who helped her understand how to use LinkedIn as a marketing tool to grow her business. Working with the DigitalBoost consultant provided Jenny with a clearer LinkedIn Strategy that all members of the team have bought into, increasing visibility and building a stronger awareness of how to make the most of the tool.  

Further support was provided in the form of a business strategy review with a Marketing Consultant, arranged through East Ayrshire Council’s beReady Marketing programme.    

Jenny McIntyre, Founder, Training Safety First said, “Although I had six years of experience within the construction industry, I had no prior experience of setting up a business. Business Gateway helped us get our foot in the door in 2019 and provided helpful guidance and support on how to grow our business and develop our teams’ skills.

“With the help of Business Gateway, I have been able to successfully establish a business doing what I love. It is an exciting time for us as we are now taking our next step and moving into larger premises at 32 Grange Street Kilmarnock”.