By Matthew Legg

Last updated 05:40, Friday, 26 September 2008

THREE of Cumbria’s big hitters will battle it out in the Training and Development category of the CN Group Business Awards 2008.

Bells of Lazonby, the Cumberland Building Society (CBS) and White Young Green (WYG) were chosen as finalists in the section which recognises a company’s investment in its staff. The category is sponsored by David Allen and Co, the Dalston-based accountancy firm.

Bells of Lazonby, the award-winning Cumbrian bakery, said its remote location in the Eden valley had forced it to invest in its staff.

Rejecting possible moves to other parts of the country, Bells instead decided to concentrate on developing its workforce, a policy which it has really stepped up in the last two years.

The company said in its application: “There is a real sense of pride which is accompanied by an increasingly healthy attitude to change and embracing business goals.”

The firm runs more than 800 training days for staff and 70 per cent of staff have now gained a Skills for Life qualification.

Bells says it has improved absenteeism by more than 15 per cent and customer complaints have fallen by 30 per cent as a result.

CBS, Cumbria’s biggest independent financial institution, said in its application: “CBS believes that its staff are its greatest asset and is committed to the training and development of all staff members.”

The society highlighted its centralised training courses and Train Track, a poster displayed in all branches and head office departments giving a visual representation of the career path available to employees and the training required to get there.

White Young Green, the building consultants with an office in Cockermouth, said it has invested £1.6m in training and development.

WYG’s Cumbria office has introduced a weekly personal development forum at which senior staff pass on experience to more junior colleagues.

The company is also committed to providing opportunities to graduates, school and university students through work placements.

Winners will be announced at a ceremony at Rheged, Penrith, on October 30.

The CN Group Business Awards are run by CN Group, owner of the publisher of The Cumberland News.