Staff training boosts business in financial sector
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Staff training in the financial sector produces a significant increase in business – sometimes up to as much as a 10-fold return on investment – according to initial results from a pilot accreditation scheme by the Financial Services Skills Council (FSSC). One company involved in the pilot project, Norwich Union Life, experienced a 24 per cent increase in self-generated appointments, and an overall increase in sales productivity of 27 per cent just five weeks after a training event that was part of the FSSC scheme, Accreditation of Training Excellence (ATE). The FSSC is developing a scheme that will give recognition to firms, training providers and sole traders who can demonstrate that their investment in training produces a solid business outcome. Companies that meet the standards will earn a Financial Services Skills Council Accreditation award, and will be listed as an accredited firm by the FSSC. www.fsnto.org.uk
Heinz launches on-site learning academy in Luton
Food company Heinz has proved its dedication to staff training, by opening a learning centre at its Luton factory. The Heinz Learning Academy, based at its Leagrave site, features purpose-built training rooms with a fully-equipped IT suite – the result of a 50,000 joint investment by Heinz, the Learning and Skills Council Bedfordshire and Luton, and the GMB Union. The facility, the first of its kind in Bedfordshire, will be used to help employees achieve basic skills in English, Maths and IT, with future plans to offer more advanced training to up-skill the workforce. Graham Trevor, HR manager at the Leagrave site, said the idea for the academy was inspired by the success of staff attending English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) courses.
