Date 2017
Region East Midlands
Size 1,000+ employees
Sector Retail
training candidates worldwide
%
rejection rate drop
£ cost per candidate
courses currently offered
Problem: Sub-standard stock arriving from overseas
Solution: Training all quality inspectors
The training programme consisted of a 50:50 split between classroom delivery and on-the-job practice with a range of elements including coursework and questionnaires, a colour vision test, a small part cylinder test for choking hazards, and other practical assessments to mirror the working environment.
The change made a significant impact, with the rejection rate plummeting by 75% – a change that motivated George to consider how it could take this training even further.
Free training for suppliers to achieve a step-change
More than 2,500 candidates worldwide have now been through the training, which covers quality assessment, safety and standards. Costing an average of £68 per candidate, providing training free of charge to the suppliers is a substantial investment for George, but Mr Clarke says the results make it worth it ten times over.
Boosting individual careers and benefiting an entire industry
“Clarke also noted that the opportunity to participate in a City & Guilds-accredited Acceptable Quality Level (AQL) programme is enormously valued by participants, many of whom have found it has opened doors for their future careers. He said: ‘From joining at entry level, people come through the training and now some are managing the quality operation for whole factories. Many of them put that down to having had the right training at the right time and they take pride in having taken part in programme accredited by City & Guilds.’
Training continues to evolve to improve standards
But the retailer doesn’t intend to stop there. Looking to the future, George intends to offer additional opportunities for employee development with the introduction of product-specific courses – for example, courses focused on the quality of footwear.
Speaking about the impact of the training programme, Mr Clarke said: “If you’ve got a problem to solve then a formal qualification can be a very good solution. For us, a City & Guild’s accreditation gave us credibility and to offer that for free – well you see the benefit back financially over and above what you put into it.”
Proud to have achieved the PRTA standard
“People assume that we cut corners – they don’t see that we reinvest into the industry to bring up standards. So it’s really positive to be recognised for putting something back and to have done it well and made a difference. That’s what we’re really proud of.”
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