Free training for logistics staff

Warehousing and distribution is a highly competitive and fast moving industry, and to achieve and maintain profitability businesses need to take every opportunity to increase their productivity. For many companies, this involves investing in the latest technology that helps inventory management, such as barcoders and scanners, but the education and training of staff that use the equipment can sometimes be an afterthought.

Jane Quarmby, Managing Director at TQ Training Management Services, has first hand experience of the rise in profitability companies experience following formal staff training. "To be competitive in the warehousing and distribution industry and make a healthy profit you must have the best people working for you. The right training can improve staff motivation and confidence, as well as increase retention rates and productivity."

But if you thought training was expensive think again. The Train to Gain initiative, which was launched in September by the Learning and Skills Council, provides employers with access to affordable NVQ staff training programmes, with training and assessment to Level 2 offered free of charge.

"This scheme is a fantastic way for warehousing and distribution companies to fund staff training," says Jane. "As long as staff are 19-64, are in full-time employment and do not already hold an equivalent qualification, they can have funding for an NVQ. Most of the courses are work-based and there are no exams to sit. As they are already doing the job, staff collate and present a representative portfolio of work to the NVQ assessors."

"As training providers, TQ Workforce Development can help you identify the skills your business needs to help it achieve its objectives, select the right training package and then find the available funding you need to implement it. It's been such a successful scheme that one of the largest distribution and transport companies in the UK has contracted to us to help them roll out a staff NVQ training programme and maintain their competitive edge in the marketplace."

For more information, call 01788 892050 or email us.