English classes help improve efficiency
Salisbury based business Nicholas and Harris, award winning bakers of premium and speciality breads have seen a huge jump in efficiency since joining with the Employer Responsive Team (ERT) at Wiltshire College to provide English courses for their staff.
Starting last September in collaboration with GMB Trade Union and funded through the European Social Fund, a range of English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) classes were arranged for the largely Eastern European workforce.
Around 70% of the staff at the 173 year old business are Polish and need to have a good grasp of the English language to be able to perform their duties to the highest standards. In their day to day work it is extremely important that they can read weights and labels correctly and also communicate with colleagues.
Project and planning manager Clive Norton, himself an employee for 28 years said: “About two to three years ago we had very high employment in Salisbury and we couldn’t get the staff needed to expand the business. We looked to agencies in Southampton who provided the manpower we needed, most of this being from Poland with some Kurdish too.”
To enable everyone to attend the training a lot of the sessions took place during the evening and staff were even paid to come in for the training, giving them an extra incentive.
“The improvements that have been made to the business using the ESOL classes as a catalyst for improved communication have been very noticeable,” explains Operations Controller Lee Curtis.
“We have seen a 15% improvement in efficiency over the last six months and our labour costs have reduced. There is a real buzz around the site as staff all feel involved in the new projects that we have on the go as a result of improved communications.
“There are so many other benefits that the training has brought. The communication between departments has improved, team spirit in general is better and health and safety awareness is greater. In fact, we are now 148 days without a lost time accident and four weeks without any accident at all!
“The culture here is now driven by both efficiency and Health and Safety and this is helping the business move forward at a pace.
“We are working on new products all the time, and we have just won an award for New Innovation – Best Product for our Sainsbury’s Richly Fruity Hot Cross Bun.
“Our customers trust us to deliver good new products alongside our regular ones. With clients such as Waitrose, Sainsbury’s and Tesco, it is vital that our team pull together in all areas to maintain our excellent relationships with these customers and the ESOL classes have made a huge difference to this.”
Peter Synowiec, 28, from Poland is currently working as a store man, managing goods in to the bakery and their storage. Having completed University in Poland, he was keen to find a job in England as there are many more opportunities than at home.
Peter has completed the Advanced Level 2 in English and is also completing an NVQ in Performing Manufacturing Operations through ERT.
“I have really enjoyed being able to train at work and get full support throughout. I am learning new things all the time and my ESOL class has given me much more confidence with things like writing professional letters,” said Peter.
Nicholas and Harris have a busy year ahead promoting their own brands and Lee is very positive for the future. He said: “If you support your employees, they will support you back.”
The ESOL training is a great example of how a managed training package can have a significant impact on business. Often managers see training as only an additional cost, however if it is managed properly the results can far outweigh the cost. Call ERT today on 0845 345 2235 to discuss your training opportunities.
