Boost staff retention
April 1st 2008 Its no secret the cleaning industry suffers high staff turnover which in turn results in
higher costs to businesses.Asset Skills believes a large part of the problem is a lack of
proper training – which is where its Train to Gain scheme can help.Via the scheme,
Rentokil Initial has so far trained 600 workers and cut staff turnover by 13 per cent
Asset Skills spends much of its time trying to convey the
message to employers that training improves productivity. It
creates a better motivated and more loyal workforce and saves
on the costs associated with poor recruitment .
One initiative we are always keen to promote is the Train to Gain
scheme, available in England and funded by the Learning and Skills
Council (LSC).
This programme recognises that business needs are such that often
employers can not always release people to attend a college for
training. In such cases it can help find training providers who can go to
the firm's premises and fit
into their schedule.
One company has
reported a 13 per cent
reduction in staff turnover
and believes this is because
of their involvement with
Train to Gain.
"It has taken us over a year
to develop our in-house
delivery model but it was really worthwhile,"says Sarah Hunt, Head of
Skills Funding and Planning at Rentokil Initial.
"We are a large company with several divisions and we are
committed to staff training.The model we developed as part of the
Train to Gain programme is now offered to all divisions who wish to
upskill their workforce."
Rentokil Initial has so far trained 600 workers in Levels 2 and 3
National Vocational Qualifications (NVQs) in the following
programmes: customer service, cleaning, support services, hospitality
and team leading.A further 250 workers have also undergone basic
Skills for Life (SfL) training as part of the scheme.
"When developed and structured in line with business
requirements, the Train to Gain programme can be an extremely
effective tool to boost the skills of the workforce to meet national
standards,"says Hunt."We are now promoting this opportunity to all
staff throughout Rentokil divisions as pilot programmes, self selection
processes, line management referrals and through newsletters.
"Not only have we seen a 13 per cent cut in staff turnover,we've
also increased staff morale and have more motivated workers. I would
definitely recommend it to other employers."
The first step of introducing a Train to Gain scheme in the
workplace is to find a 'skills broker'– someone with the expertise to
tailor training packages to individual needs.Whether you have five, 50
or 500 employees, these brokers can work with you to analyse your
company's particular requirements, then recommend a plan of action
to suit your business needs.
To contact a skills broker in your area you can call the national
helpline on 0800 015 55 45.
Alternatively, find out more at:
www.assetskills.org More articles from Asset Skills: | 
