QUALIFICATION BEATS XMAS PARTY FOR BOOSTING MORALE

31st May 2006

Marie Firth, TBG Learning (shaking hands with Brian Cavanagh) and Karen Noakes, Employee Development Specialist, TBG Learning, with employees. A forward thinking and award winning employer, NYK Logistics (UK), has a happier workforce thanks to the introduction of a pilot development programme at its Solihull operation which has boosted morale and created better team working.

In Solihull NYK Logistics is the third party supply chain for Land Rover, receiving and storing parts and delivering direct to the manufacturing production lines which it works alongside. Looking towards its long term future and how it could invest to continually raise standards, it decided to bring in TBG Learning (TBG), an independent training company.

The Apprenticeship and Train to Gain programmes introduced by TBG Learning are funded by the Learning and Skills Council. They are enabling fifty workers of all ages in the automotive logistics division to increase their confidence and skills to do their job better whilst gaining the new NVQ Level 2 qualification in Warehousing and Logistics.

"This programme is giving everyone a buzz. It's a demanding work environment for everyone, non-stop 24/7 and it's hard to train staff. This is giving them something to aim for and they're getting something back with the qualification, so it's very positive. You can give staff a pay rise or a Xmas party, but what else can you give them? The opportunity to train as a team has had a bigger effect", says Brian Cavanagh, Business Improvement Manager, NYK Logistics.

The practical nature of the NVQ, which is based on competence in doing the job, is helping employees increase their confidence, shown through better interpersonal and communication skills. Karen Noakes, Employee Development Specialist from TBG Learning, attends day and night shifts to regularly coach and develop the workers. On a one to one basis she identifies any grey areas in their knowledge and helps them address these as well as reinforcing what they already know. Any literacy and numeracy needs including dyslexia, are being addressed.

Warehouse Operative Michael Hayes, age 21, is one of the thirty-two employees aged 18-24 who is following the twelve month Apprenticeship programme. He was expelled from school aged 15 and had various jobs before joining NYK Logistics. He explains:

"It's been brilliant so far. It's really positive and everyone's talking about it. We are all helping each other and asking questions. It's making me think about the job and it's making my understanding of the job more concrete. I left school without any qualifications so I was keen to do this. It's for my future".

NYK Logistics is planning to roll out the Apprenticeship and Train to Gain programmes to other areas of the automotive logistics division, so that further employees can take part.

For further information about TBG Learning telephone Marie Firth, Business Development Manager on 0121 200 2646 or see www.tbglearning.com .

In 2005 the joint logistics operation between Land Rover and NYK Logistics (UK) won the prestigious Manufacturer's Automotive Industry Supply Chain Award. Across the UK NYK Logistics has 35 sites and delivers a diverse range of logistics solutions including warehousing & distribution, freight forwarding, International network solutions, supply chain consulting, and IT solutions.