News and features

Mon, 10 Jan 2011

Newcastle firm provides all workers with NVQ training

A staff training scheme has been praised for saving a packaging plant that looked like it was on the brink of going under.

After restructuring, an agreement was reached with employees at a Chesapeake packaging plant in Tyne & Wear, but according to Training Journal, this left morale "in tatters".

Since then, the firm has implemented a training scheme, which was backed by the North East Productivity Alliance.

All employees were enrolled in a course at Gateshead College to ensure they achieved an NVQ level two certificate in business improvement techniques.

During their NVQ studies, staff completed a six-day programme spread over a two to four-month period.

John Short, managing director of Chesapeake Newcastle, said the aim of the training was to improve the way employees worked together as a team.

He asserted that after the restructuring it was vital to improve the morale and confidence of staff.

"Providing training to improve team working and give everyone an understanding of how a successful business operates was something extremely important to us," he commented.

Mr Short explained that this would improve the personal contribution of each individual and also give the company a competitive edge as the workforce would be more committed and engaged.

Chesapeake's decision to train staff was praised by Ian Betsho, a lecturer at Gateshead College, who said it was "wonderful" that the firm had taken this step.

"The decision to up-skill their entire workforce is a big commitment and is something more employers should consider," he asserted.

According to the Birmingham Post, manufacturing firm Bohler-Uddeholm is planning to put every member of staff through NVQ training.

The Oldbury company implemented the scheme to help boost its sales, setting a target to double revenue but only increase its 95-strong workforce by five employees.

See how NVQs, through learndirect Business, combine work-based and online learning to provide your staff with qualifications based on their job roles.