Training academy launch enjoys industry approval

Representatives from IGD and the Chamber of Commerce for Herefordshire and Worcestershire were at the official launch of Oakland International’s new Redditch education facility, the Oakland Training Academy.

Midlands based supply chain specialists in logistics and warehousing plans that the facility will be open to all employees and operating on a framework of courses based around Foundation and Intermediate through to Management and Specialist qualifications.

Oakland International Human Resources and Purchasing Director, David Hoey, explains: “Oakland International’s long term objectives is to build skills and competencies for the future of the business and to provide our people with employability skills which can be transferred across our business or taken with them wherever they go as their career develops.”

Oakland views this new facility as part of their succession planning for all levels and an essential investment in the ongoing development of their teams; helping each individual and Oakland to identify future leaders. They expect the Academy to become an integral tool for attracting new talent to the business as well as a key component in staff retention, becoming the central focus of all development activities.

IGD Project Manager, Mike Darby, stated: “IGD welcomes the opening of Oakland International’s new Training Academy. It is a clear demonstration of the company’s commitment to both the aims of the Employability Pledge and the ongoing investment in their staff and training. As such it will do much to secure a talent pipeline of staff with the skills and capabilities they need not only for their ongoing personal development and success but also to meet business needs both now and in the future.”

Included in the new Training Academy is an extensive Learning Resource Library together with a fully equipped dummy warehouse aimed at giving new starters practical experience in a safe environment, a facility that will directly affect customer service once training is complete.

Graham Biggs, Hereford and Worcester Chamber of Commerce President, added: "Oakland International is a great example of a business putting staff training and development right at the heart of everything it does. To see and speak to those taking part in the training demonstrates just how effective this can be for a business in recruitment, staff retention and development with results shown on the bottom line. The dedicated training area and Academy is something to be truly proud of both for Oakland International and all of us associated with it."

The Academy plans to introduce E-learning solutions next year, providing a truly competitive edge when retaining, competing and winning new business.

Issued: 28/10/2011