By Keir Mudie

Last updated 11:37, Thursday, 08 May 2008

EDDIE Stobart Ltd has become the latest company to sign the Learning and Skills Council’s pledge.

It’s a deal: Operations director Dale Foster, left, signs the LSC skills pledge with LSC chief executive Mark Haysom

The transport and logistics company already has hundreds of members of staff studying for NVQs but plans to extend those numbers.

It will put a further 1,200 of its drivers through the programme of study.

Dale Foster, operations director of Eddie Stobart, signed the skills pledge at the Carlisle headquarters of partner firm WA Developments.

Mr Foster said: “Training our staff is key to the development of our employees.

“It is our investment in training that means our staff gain a thorough understanding of their job and their responsibilities, which is as beneficial to us as a business as it is to our staff.

“We work in conjunction with System Group Ltd, one of the leading logistics training organisations in the UK.”

“So far, 618 members of staff have begun working towards their Driving Goods Vehicles NVQ at Level 2 and we have seen a 97 per cent achievement rate of the 318 staff who have already completed the course. “As part of making the Skills Pledge, our aim is to put 1200 drivers through the NVQ programme and then encourage staff to progress onto Level 3. “We also plan to introduce a similar level of training for our warehouse staff.”

Mark Haysom, chief executive of the LSC, visited Cumbria to see Mr Foster sign the pledge.

Mr Haysom said: “In making the Skills Pledge, Eddie Stobart Ltd has clearly demonstrated the importance it places on its staff. The company’s ambition to boost workforce skills deserves to be applauded.

“Eddie Stobart Ltd is a major employer across the UK and with its headquarters based in Cumbria the company is setting a good example to other organisations in the region.

I urge other north west employers to follow their lead and make a commitment to the Skills Pledge.”

Through the Skills Pledge, employers make a commitment to support their employees and new recruits in developing their basic skills and working towards relevant qualifications to at least Level 2 – the equivalent to five GCSEs at grades A-C.

As well as raising staff skills, the aim is to enable organisations to create a more productive and competitive workforce.

For more information contact the LSC on 0845 0194142 or visit www.lsc.gov.uk.

kmudie@cngroup.co.uk