April 2008
Innovative Training Programme Reaps Success 10/4/08
Recognition was given this week at an awards ceremony acknowledging the success of an original work-based training programme funded by the Norfolk Learning and Skills Council using the European Social Fund.
Staff at Banham Poultry were rewarded for their achievement in completing their City & Guilds ESOL (English for Speakers of Other Languages) exams at the company's Attleborough headquarters. 13 members of staff achieved the qualification having studied a tailor-made ESOL for the workplace course delivered by Poultec Training Ltd, who worked in close partnership with Banham Poultry to deliver flexible English classes around the factory's shift patterns.
Dennis Foreman, Banham Poultry Director said, "We are very proud of our staff achieving their City & Guilds ESOL certification. One of the greatest challenges at Banham Poultry is the ability to overcome the language issues as we currently employ staff from approximately 7 different countries. In the interests of Health & Safety & Food Safety, it is important that all staff understand their responsibilities and we have a fully trained and coherent workforce. We actively encourage our foreign workers to participate in all aspects of learning and are happy to provide the time and facilities to those that wish to learn. It's great to see people rewarded for their efforts."
On behalf of Poultec Training Ltd, Tutor Rachel Oner said "ESOL is an essential skill for life, for individuals, families and communities and it can make the difference between a confident and skilled workforce as well as making a difference to the economic development and effectiveness of a company.
Many workers have vital skills that a company needs but are being held back due to their lack of confidence in the language. These learners have welcomed the opportunity to attend convenient classes appropriate to their needs and have progressed considerably."
Poultec Training Director Neale McArdle also attended the award ceremony to congratulate the learners and added "This is the type of project which is vital to the company and the local community and it's great to see it succeed. I'd like to add my thanks to the Poultec and Banham training teams who put in so much to ensure this success."
The on-going ESOL project has now seen more than 25 learners achieve qualifications, and follows the success of the Institute of Management course at Banham Poultry earlier this year, demonstrating the company's commitment to staff development.
Recognising Achievement at "the Company that Cares"
Banham Poultry's famous strap line was certainly in evidence on 8th February 2008 during a Presentation Ceremony for the management team at their Attleborough HQ. The event recognised all the hard work candidates had put into completing their ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) awards. Many of the candidates were collecting their first management qualification and were justifiably proud of their achievement.
Certificates were presented by Banham Director, Dennis Foreman who explained "I'm really pleased to see our management team achieve so much. It's great for us as a business to have a well trained management team. I'm now keen to see more of our staff taking advantage of this great opportunity and will certainly encourage them to do so."
Training manager Malcolm Strange was the driving force behind this training and he explained that he would like to see the staff at Banham develop and grow with the company. There are a great number of opportunities within the factory for people to develop, the training department, with the support of Poultec are here to facilitate this.
Poultec Training Director Neale McArdle and Skills Academy Manager Nathan Raines also attended the awards presentation and congratulated the candidates on their hard work and effort.
The programme is the result of a great partnership between Banham Poultry Ltd and Poultec Training Ltd and has enabled the management team to realise their full potential. On behalf of Poultec training, Kevin Bowman said The journey that some of these candidates have been on has been great and the personal development that goes with it has been amazing. Each candidate has progressed over the 8 week period and I am proud to have been a part of it. Congratulations to all candidates.
The ILM endorsed award was specifically designed for Banham Poultry Ltd, by Poultec Training Ltd, to meet the needs of the management team at their poultry processing plant in Attleborough. Since this training was first started in October 2007, a second group of managers/supervisors have started the 8 week intensive course. Good Luck to those who will be sitting their examination in March 2008.
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