Beard is short-listed for Train to Gain Employer of the Year

Beard was one of the first companies to sign up to the Skills Pledge at the launch event attended by Gordon Brown in June 2007. The company made a public declaration to improve the skills of all employees and encouraging them to obtain Level 2 standard qualifications (equivalent to 5 good GCSEs) or above. This commitment to training and development has earnt Beard a place on the shortlist for Train to Gain Employer of the Year 2008.

Having a skilled workforce is essential in securing repeat business. In order to support the company in carrying out their pledge, Skills Broker, Mick Woodall from brokerage service Train to Gain contacted Beard HR Advisor, Julia Hudd. Mick then visited the company to undertake an Organisational Needs Analysis to assess their training requirements.

Train to Gain is a service, funded by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC) and delivered throughout the South West by Business Link. Train to Gain Skills Brokers offer businesses impartial advice on their skills requirements and match skills and training needs with providers by preparing an Organisational Needs Analysis.

Mick said: “Beard had already shown commitment to learning and development through its Investors in People accreditation, which was awarded to them in 2003.  However, through the Skills Pledge they were keen to ensure that all their employees gained operational qualifications wherever appropriate.”

Since meeting with Train to Gain Beard has enrolled a further twelve employees on NVQ Levels 2 and 3 in Construction, which will result in all their tradesmen and general operatives having a recognised qualification. A number of employees are also enrolled on the Information Technology NVQ Levels 2 and 3, and discussions are underway with junior managers to pursue some of the supervisory and management training on offer.

In addition to their training under the Skills Pledge, in 2008 the company aims to provide some operatives with basic life skills, such as numeracy and literacy training and management training – all of which would be brokered through Train to Gain.

Julia Hudd, HR Advisor at Beard, said: “As an organisation we are heavily into training and business development, so it seemed the obvious next step to sign up to the Skills Pledge and make a further commitment to our employees. We have received a great response from the team leaders who have bought into the training and feel that employees are more motivated and productive as a result.”

Prizes will be awarded at a ceremony on 24th April.  TV Presentater Ben Fogel will give a keynote speech after the awards presentation.