Bespoke Training for British Sugar

Phil Black - PII Editor 03/12/2014

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The TTE Technical Training Group is supporting the delivery and assessment of bespoke vocational qualifications, which have been created for British Sugar.

Working with awarding body PAAVQ-SET and British Sugar, TTE is providing a blend of training centre-based skills development and onsite assessment at the company’s UK factories.

A group of 16 apprentices are currently undergoing the programme, which is based around British Sugar’s internal best practice competency development training units that have integrated into customised formal qualifications by PAAVQ-SET.

The awarding body has created a number of Level 3 qualifications for British Sugar, which are now part of the Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) national register.

Covering all technical aspects of the manufacturing process, as well as health and safety, environmental, product quality and personal development, the units have also been verified and awarded Gold Standard by industry body, COGENT.

The group undergo a comprehensive, six-month, residential vocational skills programme at TTE’s industry-standard training centre in Middlesbrough before being deployed across four British Sugar sites in Cantley, Wissington, Newark and Bury St Edmunds.

While working on site the apprentices will receive on-going competency assessments from TTE and British Sugar staff in addition to some further classroom training.

With considerable experience working with industry employers, TTE has developed its training provision to meet the ever-changing requirements of different sectors.

As part of the training, the apprentices spend time on TTE’s purpose-built, three-level Sodium Citrate plant, which enables trainees to undertake plant operations in an industry-standard environment under the supervision of specialist trainers.

Steve Grant, Managing Director of TTE, said: “Working closely with British Sugar and PAAVQ-SET we have supported the creation and delivery of relevant and industry-standard training programmes, which will arm the apprentices with skills and competencies that will help them become effective members of the workforce.

“British Sugar’s drive towards best practice has resulted in the creation of comprehensive training units, which are now underpinned by industry-recognised qualifications and we are delighted to be supporting the company’s commitment to developing its skilled and competent workforce.”

Paul Stringer, British Sugar’s Operations Development Manager, said: “PAAVQ-SET’s customised service, together with the support of TTE, has enhanced our framework for workforce skills and competency. The external delivery and verification of our training programmes further formalises the high level of workforce development we had in operation at British Sugar.”

Ann Randall, Chief Executive of PAAVQ-SET, said: “The bespoke QCF qualifications developed for British Sugar have been included in a National Apprenticeship Service-supported apprenticeship scheme, which demonstrates the relevance they have to current industry skills requirements and the importance of competence-based training to the engineering and manufacturing sectors.”