New learning centre for DHL Supply Chain

DHL Supply Chain has opened a learning centre in Leicestershire to provide its 200 staff with training ranging from basic skills to NVQs.

 
The centre, located at Magna Park in Lutterworth, was developed in conjunction with the Union of Shop, Distributive and Allied Workers, North Warwickshire and Hinckley College and training provider EQV.
 
Chris Sharp, managing director of food retail at DHL Supply Chain UK and Ireland, said: “As a business, we are committed to being an employer of choice and the Lutterworth learning centre is testament to this vision, ensuring the learning and development of all our people.”
 
The logistics supplier’s aim is to support staff career progression and personal development by providing courses ranging from basic literacy, numeracy and IT to National Vocational Qualifications in storage and distribution.
 
The centre includes an IT suite that is open to staff during both day and night shifts and 15 DHL employees have already completed a ‘Get on with IT’ programme, which is intended to teach basic literacy and numeracy skills via IT.
 
In other news, qualification awarding body City & Guilds revealed that its most popular course this year was for training to become an electrician. Some 97,411 have signed up for electrical installation courses, while a further 62,987 are studying for a social care qualification. The third most popular course was hairdressing, pursued by 47,506 learners.
 
Chris Jones, director general and chief executive of City & Guilds, said that the number of people getting involved in vocational training had jumped 11% in the last 12 months.
 
“Growing numbers of people are recognising the value of work-related learning and equipping themselves with the right skills and training they need to succeed and lead in today’s fast-paced economy,” he added.