Parcel courier James Ford has become the five millionth employee in the country to benefit from the Skills Pledge campaign to skill up the nation after his employer - the world's biggest delivery company DHL Express - made a commitment to train its 9,000-strong workforce
24 November 2008
The Skills Pledge is a partnership between organisations and the Government. It was developed to boost the importance of training in the workplace, which, as senior business leaders recently affirmed, is even more vital during an economic downturn. By making the Skills Pledge, employers promise to train their staff to at least a Level 2 - the equivalent of five good GCSEs.
James, 31 of Bedfont, Middlesex, said:
"I'm delighted to work for a company that makes this kind of commitment to training all its staff. It makes me confident that DHL cares about its people at all levels by improving our skills. I've been working at DHL for over eight years and gaining more qualifications in this industry will hopefully open more doors for me in the future."
Ken McCall, chief executive of DHL Express, said:
"We are proud to make the Skills Pledge - showing commitment to the future of our business and our people. Many of our staff are already a living testament to the difference training can make to someone's career and general well-being.
"The Skills Pledge represents both an investment in the staff as well as the business. It is our hope that all our employees will benefit from such training opportunities. Without question, I'd put my hand up and say better skills help our staff work better together and make our business thrive - providing top quality services for our clients day in, day out."
Minister for Skills and Apprenticeships Lord Young said:
"I commend DHL for its long-standing commitment to workforce development, and for reinforcing that commitment through the Skills Pledge. Investing in training is essential to any business but it is more important than ever in the current economic climate. We know that firms that don't train are 2.5 times more likely to fail than those who do. Those that unlock the potential of every employee to the full will be best both placed to weather challenging economic conditions, and to capitalise on opportunities for growth.
"The Government is investing in an increasingly flexible, accessible skills and training system that partners with firms like DHL to develop world-beating skills at every level of the workforce. By 2009-10 we'll be spending some £4.5bn a year on skills".
Chris Banks, Chairman of the Learning and Skills Council, said:
"As a businessman myself, I know how hard it can be to look beyond the day-to-day worries of the current economic climate. But one thing I know will help organisations weather the storm is a strategic investment in training.
"Without doubt, better skills result in more efficient and more effective businesses. With this in mind, we are calling on organisations across the country to take the first step and make the Skills Pledge - helping to train staff so they're more versatile which in return will improve a company's resilience".
DHL Express is the biggest logistics company to make the Skills Pledge and intends to offer recognised development opportunities to staff at operational and supervisory levels through NVQs and Apprenticeships. DHL Express plans to deliver these qualifications to more than 1,700 staff in various divisions of the business over the next three years.
The Skills Pledge was launched by Government in June 2007 in response to the Leitch Review of Skills which called for workforce skills to be upgraded at every level. Since then over 7,500 organisations have made the pledge, covering five million employees.
The Government wants more businesses to make the Skills Pledge and shape a better future for their workers, their company and for the nation. Employers who make the Skills Pledge can access support for their training needs through the Government's flagship Train to Gain service. Train to Gain can benefit businesses in a range of ways: a recent Ofsted report highlighted benefits to employers including better staff retention, increased profitability, improved working practices and competitiveness.
The Government remains committed to expanding and improving Train to Gain so it can respond more flexibly to the needs of employers, particularly small and medium-sized businesses. Over £925m will be invested in Train to Gain in 2009-10.
Employers interested in making the Skills Pledge should visit the website at: http://inourhands.lsc.gov.uk/employers-pledge.html
Notes to editors
DHL - Priority Skills and Qualifications
Hubs and Service centres
DHL will offer the following NVQs and Apprenticeships to their courier and service centre employees:
- Carry and deliver goods level 2
- Driving goods vehicles level 2 and 3
- Storage and warehousing level 2 and 3
- Business Administration level 2 and 3
- Customer Service level 2 and 3
Customer service centres
DHL Express operates two customer service and sales centres in East Midlands Airport and Salford, Manchester with a population of around 700 employees. DHL wishes to offer the following vocational opportunities:
- Customer service level 2 and 3
- Business administration level 2 and 3
- Contact centre operations level 2
DHL Express also wishes to offer a skills for life programme for those employees who would benefit from development in basic English and Maths.
Learning and Skills Council
The LSC exists to make England better skilled and more competitive. We are responsible for ensuring the availability of high-quality education and training for everyone. We have a single goal: to improve the skills of England's young people and adults to world class standards.
Our vision is that young people and adults in England have knowledge and skills matching the best in the world and are part of a truly competitive workforce. We work nationally, regionally and locally to deliver this ambition on behalf of learners and employers.
Skills Pledge
Officially launched by the Government on 14 June 2007, the aim of the Skills Pledge is to ensure all staff are skilled, competent, and able to fully contribute in the workplace.
Led by the Learning and Skills Council, the Skills Pledge is a public commitment by an employer to invest in skills. Part of its role is to improve basic skills in literacy and numeracy - as well as helping employees work towards relevant qualifications to at least Level 2 (the equivalent of five good GCSEs). To date, more than 6,000 companies have made the Skills Pledge.
About DHL
DHL is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specialising in providing innovative and customised solutions from a single source.
DHL offers expertise in express, air and ocean freight, overland transport, contract logistic solutions as well as international mail services, combined with worldwide coverage and an in-depth understanding of local markets. DHL's international network links more than 220 countries and territories worldwide. Some 300,000 employees are dedicated to providing fast and reliable services that exceed customers' expectations.
DHL is a Deutsche Post World Net brand. The group generated revenues of more than 63 bn euros in 2007.
http://www.dhl.co.uk
