JCB in UK is embarking on one of the biggest employee training initiatives in its history even as they face the economic downturn.
JCB’s CEO Matthew Taylor said, "JCB has always placed a huge emphasis on training employees but the impact of the economic downturn means this takes on even more significance. We are committed to ensuring our employees are equipped with the right skills not only to deal with the turbulence created by the current economic situation but also to harness the opportunities that will be there for growth when the recovery arrives."
More than 2000 employees from JCB's Midlands' and Wales' factories will take part in the training in the first week of January. JCB's initiative has already won praise from Skills Secretary John Denham, who held up the company as an example of good practice during a debate in the House of Commons. He told MPs that firms which invested in training were more likely to survive the recession and be ready to take advantage of the upturn when it comes.
Among the training being undertaken is a BTEC qualification in Lean Manufacturing, a Chartered Institute of Environmental Health course covering health and safety in the workplace and NVQ Level 2 qualifications in Performing Manufacturing Operations, Business Improvement Technologies and Manufacturing and Operations. JCB’s supervisory management will also have training in management skills and techniques. | And Matthew Taylor is by no means the only business boss who is promoting training in these times.
Some of the UK's top business people including Sir Mike Rake, Chairman of BT group and the UK Commission for Employment and Skills; Sir Stuart Rose, Chairman of Marks & Spencer and Business in the Community; Mervyn Davies, Chairman of Standard Chartered plc and Richard Lambert, Director General of the CBI, together with Brendan Barber, General Secretary of the TUC, are urging employers to sustain or even increase their investment in training, saying "Now is precisely the time to keep investing in the skills and talents of our people. It is the people we employ who will get us through. When markets are shrinking and order books falling, it is their commitment, productivity and ability to add value that will keep us competitive. Investing now in building new skills will put us in the strongest position as the economy recovers."
What do YOU think?
Adapted from articles:
Huge Employee Training Plan Unveiled to Face Economic Challenge (Source: mhwmagazine)
‘Slash Training At Your Peril’ Warn Business Bosses (Source: www.ukces.org.uk)
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