Derby College Delivers Bespoke Training to Meet Manufacturer’s Bespoke Needs

Derby, United Kingdom, August 26, 2010 --(PR.com)-- A bespoke training programme devised and delivered by Derby College is completely transforming the way in which new starters are trained at Denby manufacturing business HL Plastics.

The company, which moved from Little Eaton to state of the art premises at Denby Hall Business Park in January 2007, makes a wide array of specialist and standard products such as plastic extrusions and plastic piling for a range of industries.

Derby College was initially commissioned to deliver NVQ2 training in Performance Manufacturing Operations to the company’s shop floor employees and successfully put a group of 10 then a further 35 through the training.

But, explained Graham Kett, the College’s NVQ coordinator in engineering, manufacturing and distribution, it soon became apparent that HL Plastics required a more tailor-made approach.

He said: “The company makes unique, bespoke products and consequently has very specific needs which can’t be met by standard training schemes.

“Working with technical director Dave Chambers, we are developing a training programme for all new starters which is tailored made to meet those requirements but also conforms to EAL awarding body standards.

"The one day course we devised and are providing gives all learners additional knowledge of lean manufacturing, team working and health and safety."

HL Plastics Production manager Eddie Webb said the benefits of introducing more structured training were already being felt – particularly in terms of consistency, traceability and time.

"It’s an ideal business tool which is definitely having a positive impact.

"Before its introduction we didn’t know who was trained and who wasn’t but now everyone who joins us regardless of their previous experience is put on a training programme which teaches them the skills they specifically need to perform their jobs.

"As a result our new starters are now fully trained within eight to 10 weeks whereas in the past, training them was more likely to take several months."

Employing nearly 100 production staff, HL Plastics works a four shift pattern with 18 people on each shift and a further 25 working days.

Among those employees to recently gain his PMO NVQ is 37-year-old Jon Kirby from Kilburn. Jon has worked at HL Plastics for 13 years and was recently named a Derby College Student of the Month.

He said: “I am one of those people who left school at 15 with no education and, having worked in plastics almost all my working life was dubious at first about training.

“Once I started it though I found I was thinking more methodically about what I was making and was enjoying using my brain again.”

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