My Unipart Journey: Alan James

Within The Unipart Way we recognise that our people make the difference. This is why we engage employees at all levels and support them to learn, develop, and grow their careers with us.

As we celebrate our 50th year, we will be talking to various colleagues about their careers at Unipart and how our values have shaped their progress.

As National Apprenticeship Week approaches (5 - 11 February) we are sharing the stories of two colleagues, Alan James and Darren Herbert, who have recently supported each other to complete their Level 6 Improvement Leader Apprenticeship, and are both a testament to what can be achieved through hard work and putting The Unipart Way at the heart of everything they do.

Alan first joined Unipart in 2006 as a practising consultant. His previous experience with lean processes at Toyota meant that he could quickly see that The Unipart Way was created using the very best aspects of various manufacturing models focusing on the both employee and customer, and therefore something very special.

Since joining Unipart Alan has worked across the UK and Europe in FMCG (McBride), Aerospace (BAE Systems, Strata & Northwest Aerospace Alliance), and Manufacturing (ESAB & McLaren). Throughout this time Unipart continually invested in Alan to give him the tools he needed to effectively demonstrate and coach The Unipart Way.

Alan explained: “Unipart invested in me every step of my journey - who would have thought the scruffy council house kid from Walsall would get this opportunity. At the age of 56, Unipart has again invested in my development to achieve my Level 6 Improvement Leader.

“Through this I have been taken out of my comfort zone, enhancing the skills I have developed and making me think in a different way about data and culture. The coaching and support I have received has been second to none and I can honestly say this is down to The Unipart Way culture."

During the programme a support network was set up for Alan with Black Belt Mentor Rod Gordon, ARU Mentor Vanessa Knowles and Black Belt forum access to provide guidance throughout the program. Regular coaching reviews with Rod and Vanessa during and after the formal training sessions helped to keep Alan focused and on-track, particularly during his writing of a 5000-word dissertation and professional discussion preparation.

Reflecting on the support he received, Alan said: “If you show a desire to grow at Unipart you will get all the support you need whatever your age. My support network was key and without this I wouldn't have been able to complete the program.”

The hard work and commitment Alan has shown to the Level 6 Improvement Leader programme has propelled him to the next level. He explained: “The Level 6 and Black Belt have given me insights to a different world. With the training I feel better prepared for adapting my approach to improvement activity and events depending on the audience, whether it be shop floor or senior executive level, giving me flexibility and capability to deliver structured engagement, build capability and deliver and report real business benefits in an appropriate format for the audience.”

The Level 6 Improvement Leader Apprenticeship is delivered by our own Six Sigma experts in conjunction with Anglia Ruskin University. It is a Nationally-recognised apprenticeship qualification and forms part of The Unipart Way Black Belt certification.

Unipart started teaching this as an Apprenticeship in 2022 and the first of our delegates have just achieved their qualifications. Improvement leaders are expert practitioners of The Unipart Way and use their deep understanding of the Operational Excellence system to drive business benefits through continuous improvement and innovation, and to coach others to do the same.

Entry to this programme requires that you are actively involved in process improvement and in a role where you can support others to improve. As an apprentice you and your business will need to commit 20% of your working week to building your skills in addition to attending formal training.

If you would like to develop your own skills or those of one of your team then please get in touch with sixsigma@unipart.com