YP Training, the Ilkley-based division of Virtual College, is the only training provider in the North of England to be able to offer fully-funded, bite-sized efficiency training programmes to small and medium sized manufacturers.
For obvious practical reasons, manufacturing companies find it difficult to release their production staff for long training courses. The smaller the workforce, the more difficult this becomes, but these are the very companies who can often benefit most from productivity training.
The government is providing funding via YP Training to help solve this issue. It allows companies to focus on specific areas for rapid efficiency productivity improvement which can provide immediate and sustained paybacks.
The courses are delivered by a seasoned manufacturing training professional and offer a flexible choice of options. They involve around three to five days training depending on the individual company’s requirements.
"Manufacturers we have worked with in the past have reported major tangible benefits as a result of training, including savings of £30,000 in one operation alone," explained Alistair Gladstone, divisional director of YP Training.
"It really is a case of making a small initial investment in time to accrue larger, longer term benefits.
The programme provides a recognised qualification which can be used toward a full Level 2 NVQ. Funding is available to companies with fewer than 250 employees and which are not part of a larger group.