Member Article

Special delivery for global logistics firm

An international express delivery and logistics company is now making its own delivery in the North East – a pilot training scheme aimed at helping to improve the skills of its workforce.

Twenty-eight of the 88 staff at DHL’s Prudhoe warehouse are involved in the pilot scheme, training for apprenticeships and NVQs in warehousing and distribution with one of the region’s largest training providers, North East Chamber of Commerce (NECC).

Tony Webber, general manager at the warehouse on Princess Way, said: “The training pilot will see staff achieving nationally recognised qualifications, which is beneficial not only to their own self-development, but will also enable DHL to strengthen our operations in the warehouse.

“Providing development opportunities also demonstrates to our staff that they are important to the company, because we are investing in them to drive the company forward. Our staff are our key resource and the training helps to create more opportunities for job satisfaction and motivation.”

The pilot includes one employee working towards an NVQ Level 3 in warehousing, which involves training to gain an understanding of supervisory elements in the warehouse, with a view to rolling this out further in 2008 to help interested staff prepare for other roles in the company.

Caroline Whitmore, NECC regional manager, services, said: “The feedback from the staff to the training so far has been excellent and they have really grasped the opportunity to develop and progress. DHL is not only the leader in its field nationally, but across the world, so it speaks volumes that it is still looking to progress even further, and we are delighted that it has chosen NECC to help it do this.”

This was posted in Bdaily's Members' News section by Ruth Mitchell .