Company Name: Maxim Logistics
Number of employees: 100
Core area of business: Storage and Distribution
Public Qualifications: Apprenticeships and NVQs
The Business Challenge
In today's competitive environment Maxim Logistics was looking at ways to make the business more effective, to get its staff to understand the part they play in the company, and to have a formal way of recognising the talent that exists within the business.
They also wanted to motivate the workforce, in particular the more long serving members of staff who do the job well, but do not necessarily consider new working practices or a fresh approach to their work because 'if it isn't broke why fix it'.
The company identified two areas where skills development and qualifications could help. Firstly, in the technical skills specific to a job such as driver training, traffic office and office administration, accountancy, etc.
The second area is at supervisory / management level where there was a need to develop interpersonal skills to ensure integration across the two aspects of the business, the warehouse operation and the distribution side of the company.
The Solution
The Driving Goods Vehicle NVQ has led to an improvement of skills such as yard shunting, loading and unloading vehicles, security, awareness of accident prevention techniques and how to deal with an incident, which has led to a reduction in load loss by 80% therefore improving the service their customers receive. It has also led to a reduction in incomplete paperwork by 90% which can save costs and time, something that is vital in the 24/7 world of logistics.
Additional NVQs have been introduced in other areas of the business and Maxim Logistics has seen an improvement in the motivation of its workforce.
'The qualifications have led to increased engagement of our workforce. We give our staff the opportunity to have recognised skills in the industry. We wanted to give them something back and in return we have seen them recognise the impact they have on the business and are more focused on the job in hand,' says Andy Lawrence, Managing Directory.
Maxim Logistics has also seen a dramatic change in some of its staff as a result of the introduction of the NVQs and Apprenticeships. It has highlighted those that demonstrate promise, the rising stars within the company who are showing commitment to the development of the business and a belief in their own ability. In return they are often rewarded financially by promotion. Without the introduction of a formal training process it is unlikely that they would have stood out and reaped the benefits.
As a result of the training, staff are more likely to identify opportunities and better ways to do their jobs, thus leading to a more focused workforce and improved business practices.
The Results
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Maxim Logistics has a 96% staff retention rate
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The sickness / absence rate has been reduced by 55%
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Following the introduction of the qualifications one of the warehouse operatives has reduced his absence from 21 days to 1 in the last year
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Two female staff members who have developed their skills and gained qualifications have been rewarded with promotions that represent 45% and 70% salary increases respectively
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The NVQs give staff a great focus on the job in hand, improve problem solving skills and increase their level of engagement with the business
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Over the next couple of years, Maxim Logistics intends to have 50% of its workforce qualified through NVQs
