General Atomics

IPC Mouldings invests in skills

Six employees at the County Antrim-based injection moulding company IPC Mouldings undertook the ILM Leadership and Management Programme over a 13-week period, before graduating at an awards ceremony held in Ballymena last month.



Above: (left to right) At the graduation ceremony were Graham Whitehurst MBE, Ken Nelson MBE, Mel Higgins, Simon Fuller, Rowan McFarland, Joanne Liddle, Warren Hanley, Graeme Bennett, Ben Middleton, Rajeev Mathew and John McPherson.
Courtesy IPC Mouldings

All six employees successfully completed the Level 5 Certificate, in addition to two of those employees completing the Level 3 Certificate.

Joanne Liddle, Manager Director, IPC Mouldings, said: "To ensure that we continue providing the highest standards of service in a rapidly evolving manufacturing and aerospace landscape and prepare for future growth, it is crucial that we continue to invest in the continued professional development of our people."

The ILM Leadership and Management Programme aims to equip participants with the necessary leadership and management skills required for their role, preparing them for undertaking more responsibility and higher-level positions. IPC Mouldings made the investment in enhancing their employees strategic thinking, leadership skills and practical techniques, which drives innovation and motivates the team to meet the future growth plans of the business.

Speaking about the investment, Joanne said: “Our experienced and world-class team continually goes above and beyond for our customers providing outstanding and exceptional service, evidenced in our six consecutive SC21 Gold awards. In order for us to continue the provision of supply chain excellence and remain at the forefront of the sector however, it is crucial that we continue to invest in our people.

“The ILM Leadership and Management Programme has helped these key individuals develop their ability to lead, motivate and inspire, whilst offering valuable insight into the core management techniques that will help us drive better results and provide strategic leadership, in addition to the day-to-day management. Ultimately, this will ensure our status as the best supplier to our customers, which in turn, helps us futureproof our business.”

Ken Nelson MBE, Chair of the governing body of the Northern Regional College, said: “It is great to see the significant investment that IPC Mouldings is making in its people, whilst giving employees the opportunity to reach their full potential. Skills development is crucial in the region’s economic success and the College supports many local businesses with their staff development programmes, offering various upskilling courses. By further developing the skills of its people, IPC is helping to drive Northern Ireland’s growth, helping it to become more globally competitive. Congratulations to all those who graduated from the programme.”

Simon Fuller, Quality Manager at IPC spoke about the ILM Programme said: “The knowledge I gained throughout the programme has been highly beneficial to me in my current role, with the key takeaway being the profound enhancement of my leadership and management skills. The course has equipped me with strategic thinking abilities, helped improve my self-awareness and provided practical techniques for leading and motivating teams.”

IPC Mouldings is not only committed to the continued professional development of its employees but also to retaining the knowledge and skills that exist within the province through the training and development of the next generation of engineers. The company is heavily involved in STEM activities including Mid and East Antrim Borough Council’s Science Summer School and also offers visits to local schools, in addition to placement and intern opportunities and apprenticeship programmes.

Related

Skybus managing director leaves with immediate effect
Jonathan Hinkles, a highly experienced airline executive with over 30 years in the industry, who has stepped down from Skybus
Skybus managing director leaves with immediate effect
The unexpected departure comes just months after the airline was at the centre of the high-profile collapse of Cornwall's subsidised London Gatwick air service.
Aerospace

2 Jul 2026

London Cranfield Airport targets more business traffic with rebrand and new partnership 
Robert Abbott, CEO of London Cranfield Airport and Nick Weston of Weston Aviation
London Cranfield Airport targets more business traffic with rebrand and new partnership 
The Bedfordshire airport has joined The Collection, a network of business aviation airports coordinated by Weston Aviation as it seeks to pivot towards more lucrative customers.
Aerospace

2 Jul 2026

EasyJet launches Gatwick-Newquay route after PSO ends
easyJet Airbus A320neo
EasyJet launches Gatwick-Newquay route after PSO ends
The first service was operated on 23 June and it will continue to link the two airports on Tuesdays and Saturdays throughout the summer. 
Aerospace

2 Jul 2026

Defence Investment Plan puts UK drone delivery challenge in focus
Royal Navy Drone
Defence Investment Plan puts UK drone delivery challenge in focus
The UK's DIP allocates billions for drones, but that could be a drop in the ocean before the UK can capitalise on the drone economy.
Defence

1 Jul 2026

UK defence investment plan welcomed by industry, but MPs warn delivery details are missing
Prime Minister visits BAE
UK defence investment plan welcomed by industry, but MPs warn delivery details are missing
BAE welcomed the UK government's Defence Investment Plan as a clear signal for industry. But MPs call for more.
Defence

1 Jul 2026

ST Engineering wins UK contract to supply 40mm grenades for British Armed Forces
Grenade launcher british army
ST Engineering wins UK contract to supply 40mm grenades for British Armed Forces
The UK Ministry of Defence has selected ST Engineering to supply nine variants of 40 mm grenade ammunition under a five-year contract worth $87 million.
Defence

1 Jul 2026

BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems’ Endura demos radiation-hardened capability for space missions
BAE Systems has successfully demonstrated the ability of its Endura system-on-chip (Soc) space processor…
Space

29 Jun 2026

BAE Systems to build high-res imagery satellites for Vantor
BAE Systems to build high-res imagery satellites for Vantor
BAE Systems has entered into an agreement to build high-resolution imaging satellite buses for Vantor, a provider of unified spatial intelligence from space to ground.
Space

25 Jun 2026

ADS appoints Matthew Reynolds as CIO
ADS appoints Matthew Reynolds as CIO
ADS Group - parent organisation of trade association ADS and Farnborough International - has appointed Matthew Reynolds as its Chief Information Officer (CIO).
Aerospace Defence Events Security ...

19 Jun 2026

Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection completes transition to CVC Capital Partners
Smiths Detection has completed its transition from Smiths Group to CVC Capital Partners (CVC), a private markets investment firm.
Aerospace Security

1 Jul 2026

Serbus acquires Westica
Serbus acquires Westica
Serbus acquires Westica
Provider of secure Critical National Infrastructure (CNI) networking and communication solutions, Serbus, has acquired Westica Communications Limited (Westica), for an undisclosed sum.
Defence Security

30 Jun 2026

CAA warns of risks posed by incorrectly packed batteries
Pack right. Safe Flight. CAA
CAA warns of risks posed by incorrectly packed batteries
Ahead of the big summer getaway where over 60 million people are expected to…
Aerospace Security

26 Jun 2026