Skills in the workplace, Example of Excellence

Norse Commercial Services - Learning and Development Workplace Skills

Skills in the Workplace Award - Example of Excellence

Norse’s biggest challenge was overcoming resistance and the fear of training from staff, as well as generating the trust from managers. It was worth it. Their Training Academy is used by all twenty-three divisions of the business, training everyone from the cleaners to the CEO. A learning culture is truly embedded in the organisation and this has been a significant factor in securing new contracts worth £18m.

The story

In 2002 the company launched a small learning project, inlcuing 12 learners, designed to bring non-traditional learners into learning through informal training.  1935 staff took advantage of this project and success paved the way to create a Learning and Development programme between 2006-2008 concentrating on Level 2 qualifications for staff.

This evolved into the Learning and Development Training Academy (TA), launched in 2009 that embeds all training requirements throughout the whole organisation using highly skilled training staff to take it forward. NCS has delivered high quality, flexible training to 2321 staff (2009) and 1250 members of the community, making the learning culture an integral part of the business.

Why this prgramme won - Judge's Quote

“Other employers will be inspired to develop similar initiatives, by what NCS has achieved, across a traditionally dispersed and low-skilled workforce.   Totally integrating a culture of learning across the organisation, it has embedded skills development and progression in the heart of the business, reaching beyond the existing workforce to the wider community and future employees”.

Chair of the judging panel

 

Impact

  • Won new contracts in excess of £18m; training a major contributor to success of this process
  • 96% customer retention
  • Recruitment costs reduced by £150k
  • H&S incidents reduced by 6%
  • Saved £58,000 on training provision
  • Saved £67,200 on management time

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