Local Food Manufacturing Plant; RF Brooks show commitment to the Employers Pledge
The learndirect team at Coleg Gwent are working in partnership with the Basic Skills department within the College to provide local food manufacturing plant; R F Brooks, with a comprehensive staff training solution. The programme, delivered through learndirect and supported by College basic skills staff, will focus on English language and basic literacy needs.
R F Brooks employs over 830 employees covering more than twenty different nationalities. A programme was required which would deliver training in English for speakers of other languages (ESOL) and provide a progression route for employees to further develop their skills.
Basic & Key Skills Manager at Coleg Gwent, Maliika Kaaba said: “The management at R F Brooks recognise that staff needed to improve English language skills in order to perform better in the workplace. Improved language skills amongst staff will result in not only increased productivity but a safer working environment for all.
“A learning centre has been set up on-site and a blended training programme is now being delivered, combining learndirect’s ESOL and basic literacy and numeracy courses with tailored tutor-led content from Coleg Gwent staff.
“This project forms part of our commitment to the Employer Pledge initiative. Coleg Gwent has employed three dedicated staff as Employer Pledge champions who will meet with companies throughout the County Gwent to advise how individual workforce development programmes can be supported.
Every company will have different training needs but the flexibility of online learning and the range of courses available through learndirect means that we can offer a tailor made solution to support each employer."
Jeff Greenidge, Head of learndirect in Wales adds:“An increase in migrant workers means that the Welsh labour force is changing and it is great companies like R F Brooks who are setting an example by ensuring that their employees have the key skills needed to do their jobs safely and integrate in the communities to which they live. I am very pleased that learndirect has proved so beneficial and delighted that both Coleg Gwent and R F Brooks have shown considerable dedication to The Basic Skills Employer Pledge”.
