Success brewing on the production line

Citation

(2003), "Success brewing on the production line", Journal of European Industrial Training, Vol. 27 No. 2/3/4. https://doi.org/10.1108/jeit.2003.00327bab.006

Success brewing on the production line

Success brewing on the production line

A brewery that has invested around £5 million in two new production lines has introduced customized training to embed new procedures and raise employee standards.

Some 26 employees of Federation Brewery, in the north-east of England, have completed national vocational qualifications at level 2 in manufacturing operations, following training by Assa.

Phil Mordey, who managed the accreditation of manufacturing staff project, commented: "The programme provides a framework for companies to train large numbers of employees in a cost-effective way. It provides them with a master-skills portfolio that other workers can then follow in the future.

"The programme formally recognizes experienced workers who do their job well but who may not have evidence of their competence. The motivation that comes from gaining a’recognized qualification benefits both employees and the employer. It is a vital step on the way to encouraging lifelong learning and improved productivity."

During the three-month training, Assa worked in partnership with South Tyneside College to oversee the project and to assess employees on their knowledge of the procedures needed to work efficiently.

Packaging manager Terry Donkin said: "We have taken on a number of staff recently and, with the newmachinery in position, it is important that we make sure that each employee has the same standard of knowledge.

"Assa was able to adapt its training programme to suit our specific requirements and we have been able to improve workplace skills across the board without any disruption to efficiency. The first 26 to complete the course found it particularly useful and we now have another 16 enrolled."

Packaging-department supervisor Eddie Liddle, who took part in the programme, said: "The training has given us the theory to practise the skills we use every day. I joined this company after being made redundant from Vaux Brewery. Having been in that position, I am much more confident about my value as an employee now that I can prove that I can do my job well.

"Aside from that, we have staff between the ages of 25 and 60 in this department and it is important that they are equipped with the same skills, regardless of the length of time they have worked here."

More than 2,000 manufacturing employees across Britain have completed the accreditation of manufacturing staff training. Assa aims to accredit a further 3,000 employees over the next 12 months.