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Newly trained forklift truck operators rose to the occasion to celebrate the first anniversary of Train to Gain, a service funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) to help businesses succeed.
Leicestershire’s Brett Landscaping, based near Loughborough, is one of the 569 organisations from across the county to benefit from Train to Gain during the past year. The service aims to help companies identify and fill skills gaps within their workforce.
It offers them the chance to use the skills of a specialist Skills Broker to improve their business performance by training their employees. Over 3,800 employees from across Leicestershire have accessed training worth over £5 million during the past 12 months.
Production Manager Duncan Robertson explained how the training came about. He said: “We have a long serving workforce and we are always looking for ways to improve and update their skills, particularly when it comes to operating mobile plant machinery. Our external trainer, Keith Cook Training Services, had heard about Train to Gain and so we decided this would be a good way to kick-start our training plans.
“Twenty four employees are now currently doing a NVQ Level 2 in Plant Operations, which includes operating a forklift truck, as our work involves moving block paving and heavy slabs.”
Train to Gain Skills Broker, James Lund said: “The company were obviously serious about training their staff as they had already had an external trainer on board, so they are a great example to other companies.
“Through Train to Gain, Brett Landscaping were able to set up these specialist NVQs and I look forward to working with Duncan and the company in the future on wider training issues.”
All companies in Leicestershire can access the Train to Gain service either by taking the Skills Pledge – a campaign to inspire people to improve their skills – or by contacting the Train to Gain helpline direct.
Developing skills across the county is vital if we are to increase productivity, support advances in enterprise and innovation and improve our economic well being.”
(JM)
