Employees Learn New Skills at Huge Company Training Exercise
JCB has embarked on one of the biggest training initiatives in the company’s history which will enhance the skills of more than 600 employees and help tackle the continuing effects of the global economic downturn.
Shopfloor employees from the World Headquarters at Rocester are spending four days this week taking part in a series of workshops focusing on team leading, problem solving, performing manufacturing operations, business improvement techniques, numeracy and literacy and management.
Corporate College, the skills solution provider of Derby College, is working in partnership with JCB to deliver the courses at Uttoxeter Racecourse.
Graeme Macdonald, JCB’s Group Managing Director for Business Operations, said: “We need to face the challenges posed by the economic climate head on and improving skills levels which make us more efficient, productive and knowledgeable are key to being successful now and in the future when the recovery arrives.”
Andrew Rice, 38, who works as a welder in the Backhoe Loader Business Unit at Rocester, took part in the problem solving exercises and literacy course. He said: “It has been absolutely brilliant – difficult, challenging and interesting at the same time. I haven’t been in a classroom environment for nearly 25 years so it’s been great to learn the basics of English again and it’s inspired me to go further by taking more qualifications at my local college or by learning on line.
“During the literacy course, the tutors also picked up that I was mildly dyslexic. I’d had an inkling that I may have been dyslexic but this means I can no go away and get more support.”
Dave Beech, an assembler in the Loadall Business Unit at the World HQ, said: “It’s been very useful as well as bringing all the lads together. The team building has been good and everyone has got involved and joined in.”
Corporate College Business Development Director April Hayhurst said: “JCB continues to demonstrate an incredibly high level of commitment to its workforce in an extremely difficult economic climate. They have thoroughly committed to up skilling their workforce to meet future skills needs when the market returns to some normality. The company is to be commended and seen as an example for other employers to follow.”
Last year JCB undertook a huge training programme more than 2,000 employees from its Midlands’ and Wales factories, with plants in Rocester, Cheadle, Uttoxeter, Wrexham, Rugeley and Derbyshire taking part. Corporate College, Derby delivered the programmes for World HQ employees, with colleges in Newcastle-under-Lyme, Burton, Walsall, Lichfield and Tamworth delivering similar training to staff from other factories.
The momentum behind last year’s training initiative continued throughout 2009 with more than 1200 NVQ qualifications achieved by employees at JCB World HQ, Rocester; JCB Power Systems, Derbyshire; JCB Cab Systems, Rugeley; JCB Heavy Products, Uttoxeter; JCB Compact Products, Cheadle and JCB Utility Products, Cheadle.
The qualifications have been achieved in partnership with providers including Corporate College Derby; NA Consultants, Tyneside; Newcastle-under-Lyme College; Walsall College and Lichfield Tamworth College.