Walkers

Walkers in Peterlee introduced NVQs in Food and Drink Manufacturing Operations for its general operator group. In order to achieve the award, the operator had to demonstrate that they could perform to standards set out by their operating systems, meeting all levels of safe working practices and consumer protection.

The NVQ helps in three ways:
1) Provides a development opportunity for general operators.
2) Validates technical competences among our workforce.
3) Identifies skills and knowledge in order to satisfy internal and external audits and other regulatory requirements.

Craig Smith, Training Manager, was quick to recognise the benefits

"We made the NVQ optional but as soon as our people recognised what was on offer - and that it didn’t involve exams or lots of writing - the take-up was very high. As a result of the pilot’s success, we rolled the scheme out across the entire factory."