Manufacturing industry receives business boost

26th April 2006

Manufacturing businesses particularly small and medium sized businesses (SMEs) are set to benefit from an industry initiative designed to boost their businesses. City & Guilds has developed an exclusive award in Manufacturing Working Practices, supported by Proskills.

City & Guilds has also negotiated a favourable discount with insurance specialists, Premierline Direct, for SMEs whose workforce successfully complete the new award. By putting their employees through this new City & Guilds Manufacturing Working Practices training programme, SMEs may be eligible for a substantial discount on their business insurance premium^*.

Barrie Wells, managing director for Premierline Direct said: “We are dedicated to rewarding well managed businesses with cheaper insurance. We understand that with greater knowledge comes a reduced risk of accidents within the workplace and, as a result, subsequent insurance claims may diminish. That’s why we are proud to be working in partnership with City & Guilds, to reward manufacturers who show commitment to training with a 10 per cent discount on their business insurance premiums”.

Lynne Oliver, Manufacturing Working Practices specialist at City & Guilds, said: “This award is significant in strengthening quality and standards across the sector. Although manufacturing is a career choice that young people have shunned in recent years, we anticipate that young people will be encouraged once more to consider manufacturing as a first career choice.”

This level 2 certificate in Manufacturing Working Practices has been designed for employees in all areas of manufacturing who have previously not had the opportunity to gain recognition for their knowledge and understanding of vital areas such as, health and safety and environmental awareness. The award aims to reduce personal risk to employees and employers as with greater knowledge comes a reduced risk of accidents, lowering the risk of fines from Health and Safety Executive and Environmental Agency. This qualification empowers individuals starting out in a career in Manufacturing and gives them a clear career path and enhances their knowledge and understanding of manufacturing processes.

City & Guilds is working in partnership with Proskills to ensure that they are providing SMEs with the best possible qualification to further career progression for workers in manufacturing.

Terry Watts, CEO at Proskills UK commented: “We welcome the partnership between City & Guilds and Premierline Direct Insurance which demonstrates that as well as increasing productivity, skills investment can reduce the risk in a business to the company but also, as in this case, to insurers. We hope that this immediate saving will encourage more companies to invest in training and start on the journey to increased productivity and profitability.”

For further information, please contact City & Guilds Customer Relations on 020 7294 2800 or email mwp@cityandguilds.com.