Company Name: Menzies Distribution Ltd
Number of employees: 4,000
Core area of business: Wholesale Distribution
The Business Challenge:
Menzies Distribution is a leading provider of added value distribution and marketing services to the newspaper and magazine supply chain in the UK. It has 4,000 employees, operating from 25 depots, using 450 own account vehicles (supplemented by around 1000 sub contracted vans) to supply over 20,000 retail outlets each day via 1,600 delivery routes. At its major branch in Cambuslang, Glasgow, Menzies Distribution was facing an increasing transport requirement reflecting business growth, whilst facing a combination of staff issues including recruitment & retention, an ageing workforce and the need to develop its talent.
The Solution:
Menzies Distribution, was keen to look at ways to prepare the business for the increasing demands on its drivers in line with the business growth and wanted a vocational training programme that could develop the expertise of the drivers whilst fitting around work requirements - the Driving Goods Vehicle SVQ Level 2 & 3 offered the perfect solution. Menzies Distribution identified twenty drivers that were suitable to take part in the qualification and worked closely with a local training provider Orion PS Ltd to ensure that it was appropriately delivered.
The SVQ improved the confidence levels of the drivers, and with training taking place on site the amount of lost driving time was minimised whilst the impact to workers having to sacrifice their own time for studies was also kept to a minimum. The drivers felt more valued within the company and its customers have seen an improved service as a result of ongoing training.
The Results:
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Despite a history of regular churn, 65% of drivers who carried out the training are still employed at Menzies Distribution
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The drivers felt the work-based learning approach of the SVQ was less intimidating than other methods and were therefore more willing to participate
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Drivers felt more motivated and valued.
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In house training was cost effective, as it was all carried out at work with the training provider going out in the vehicles and assessing the driving, with the driver wearing a hat with an installed camera, which recorded the driving assessment
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Drivers are more aware of the environmental issues and are more Health & Safety conscious
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Training has led to less wear & tear costs on company vehicles
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28% reduction on driver accidents from the previous year
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Training provided the company with a base to add more training (for example Customer Care) with an end result of better service to our customers.
