Isle of Wight Fire and Rescue Service employs 250 staff with a variety of training needs. In such an important job it is essential that all staff members have the best possible operational efficiency whether that is in management, administration, control centre operations, health and safety or business support.

In the past, most training was internal and focused on improving proficiency in each role, without a focus on management training. Recognising the need to get more out of its training and develop employees into managerial roles, the service approached HTP - one of the first organisations in the country to achieve the Training Quality Standard indicating that it is a top employer responsive training provider.

As Leighton Bryant, Learning and Development Manager for the Service explains:

 “Our partnership with HTP is embedded into all levels of our training in management, instruction skills and business administration, and the benefits of using a Training Quality Standard provider are reflected in the improvements to employee productivity that we are starting to see.

HTP worked with the Service to understand their needs, dovetailing with their existing training provision. They also enabled all employees who underwent management training to link it to their personal development plan which tracks their progress and takes their individual circumstances into account.

Leighton Bryant continues:

 “I would definitely recommend using a Training Quality Standard certificated provider; HTP’s work means we have more flexible and efficient staff. Also, the effort it has put into catering for our needs means our staff have been given more opportunities and are therefore more motivated as they can see the direct benefits of training.”