Training programme thrives at Swiss Post International UK
Swiss Post International (UK) has achieved a “remarkable” take-up for its two-year-old in-house training scheme so far. The company encourages but does not require its staff to take part in the programme, but has now seen 30% of its employees taking part.
This week saw Swiss Post International human resources business partner Sabine Graf flying in from head office in Berne, Switzerland, to present 29 staff with their National Vocational Qualification (NVQ) certificates.
Among this year’s in-take, graduates achieved NVQs and Apprenticeships in management, warehousing & distribution, business administration, customer service and team leading.
Commercial assistant Rutendo Matambanadzo even secured Distinctions in each of her modules in customer services principles and process development.
Graf said Swiss Post International “whole-heartedly” supported the UK programme.
“We really do value the knowledge and skills of our employees and appreciate that many of them will want to learn and to broaden their abilities,” she said.
“We take employee engagement very seriously, and know that in having an international workforce with a diverse skills set, we must offer an innovative, broad and flexible range of courses to suit all of their interests and needs.”
Opportunities
Rutendo Matambanadzo (left), commercial assistant at Swiss Post International UK, receives her NVQ certificate from SPI business partner Sabine Graf
Swiss Post International UK said the popularity of its training scheme is continuing with 16 employees starting their NVQs this year. The company has also taken on its first Apprentice, who will work in its commercial team, and is recruiting two more Apprentices.
The company established its training scheme in response to requests from employees in 2010, partnering with Redwood Skills and Outsource Training to provide it.
Clare Wheeler said staff had asked for a formal training programme to test their competency and help them develop new skills.
“Training offers improved employment opportunities not just with us, but throughout their careers,” she said. “The new skills also add value to our customer proposition. In fact, the benefits all round mean that all new employees joining SPI are encouraged to start a qualification.”
Swiss Post International now employs 1,250 people in 13 European countries, three urban areas in Asia and in the US.
The company has already created a series of language courses for its employees, and opportunities for its staff to develop language skills as part of mixed collaborative teams.
