Norfolk MEP visits Poultec and Kerry Foods to recognise European workplace funding

Date posted: November 14, 2011

Poultec Training in Mattishall has hosted a visit from Richard Howitt MEP to meet learners and staff from a leading Food Manufacturing company, Kerry Foods.

The visit was organised for the MEP of the Eastern Region to recognise the work which had gone into delivering training on The European Social Funded project Stepping-stones. The project, which ran from 2008 – 2011, was intended to assist learners with their Literacy, Numeracy and ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) skills.  Poultec Training was the leading provider for this project in Norfolk and worked closely with local companies across the county.  The Stepping-stones project, targeted at low skilled and migrant workers, made a big contribution to the Eastern region’s workforce and eventually helped 3,333 employees with their maths and English skills.

A visit was arranged with learners and staff of Kerry Foods, a leading producer of fresh food products, as the MEP particularly wanted to recognise the learning which took place in the workplace.  Richard Howitt talked to the learners about their experiences and to the staff to about the benefits to the company. The event was also attended by representatives from ACER (The Association of Colleges of the Eastern Region) who managed the project on behalf of the European Social Fund.  Project Manager, Wendy Wilkinson explained ‘the success of the project was making the learning meaningful to employers and learners by highlighting the benefits of English Language Training to the company and the individuals’.  Scott Turner General Manager at Kerry Foods Attleborough said: “We are only as good as our people so it is up to us to ensure they get the training they need to succeed”.

To mark the visit there was a presentation of a certificate to Kerry Foods for their support and contribution to Skills for Life training.  In just over one year, Kerry Foods site at Little Ellingham, Attleborough, has supported 95 learners to improve their Literacy and ESOL skills in the workplace.

For further information on workplace Skills for Life courses call Poultec Training Limited on 01362 850983.