WELLINGTON-based manufacturer Swallowfield are celebrating a scheme to improve the skills of their workforce.

Swallowfield, the £45 million turnover cosmetics, toiletries and household goods solutions provider, realised they needed to undertake a major training exercise among its shop-floor workers to increase efficiency and maintain margins.

Works director Keri Allchurch said the company identified that it had a relatively low level of recognised skills at shop floor level with many employees having few or no formal qualifications.

“The company wanted to create an enthusiasm for learning among its production workers with a spin-off that they gained greater confidence - so allowing them to maximise their potential.”

Swallowfield became aware of Train to Gain, which is funded by the Learning and Skills Council.

Since then more than 100 production workers have gained NVQs at Level 2.

As the scheme continues, a number of shop-floor workers are now progressing to Level 3 in some of their subjects.

Mr Allchurch said the training bug has become infectious with those taking part inspiring others to learn - including some who were previously reluctant.

The computer-based learning element of the NVQs had also had a major impact, he said.

“Many of the learners had basic skills issues relating to IT, having had no previous experience or knowledge of IT hardware or software.

“Now that the entire shop floor has recently become computerised, these individuals are showing greater confidence in using the bar-coding equipment, making processes quicker, more accurate and efficient, and saving time, reducing wastage and giving better materials control.”