Big Tick winner

Fowler Welch Coolchain - Language Skills for Migrant Drivers

FirstGroup Skills for Life Award 2007 supported by the Department for Innovation, Universities & Skills and in association with Investors in People

The support the company gives their employees to develop language skills is quite exemplary and a model of excellent practice 

Lincoln University

By improving the language skills of migrant drivers, Fowler Welch has solved driver shortages, slashed recruitment costs and created an inclusive working environment

Processes

As part of a wider business plan to tackle a growing shortage of drivers, FWC introduced workplace learning (English-speaking, listening, reading and writing) initially in Spalding, for migrant employees.

An on-site programme was developed with the University of Lincoln providing 36 hours of job-related language training. This training has eliminated the need for expensive direct overseas recruitment and completely changed the perception of foreign drivers in the workplace.

The success of the programme has led to its extension into the warehousing facility. A similar scheme has now been introduced at Fowler-Welch Ambient, a recently acquired business in Stockport.

This investment in the skills of employees has led to FWC being perceived as an employer of choice within the sector, further assisting driver recruitment and retention and delivering significant business benefits.

Impact

  • Improving the skills of existing drivers negated the need for on-site accommodation for new foreign drivers, saving £200,000
  • The reduction in use of drivers procured by foreign agencies is saving £208,000 per annum
  • Improved language skills has led to a saving of £40,000 per annum on interpreters
  • Retention of drivers who have received language training is 100%, with significant implications for recruitment and induction costs
  • For the first time, a Polish driver has been elected by his peers as their management representative. This is a significant indicator of workforce integration

See also