Growing food company named runner up for VQ Employer of the Year Award

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Dailycer UK’s HR manager Jo Butterworth (second from left) and Coleg Cambria trainer Yvonne Evans receive the VQ Employer of the Year finalist certificate from Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James (left) and compere Owain Wyn Evans.

Deeside-based food manufacturer Dailycer UK was runner up in the VQ (Vocational Qualifications) Employer of the Year at the awards ceremony on at St David’s Hotel, Cardiff on Tuesdaynight

The company was one of three finalists for the VQ Employer of the Year Award, which was won by children’s nursery Little Inspirations from Llantrisant, Rhydyfelin and Barry. The other VQ Employer of the Year runner up was professional hair salon, Spirit Hair Team, Ystrad Mynach.

 

The award recognises employers who promote the value of vocational qualifications in the workplace and make a real contribution, relative to their size, to improving skills and national competitiveness.

 

Organised by the Welsh Government’s Department for Education and Skills (DfES), the National Training Federation for Wales (NTfW) and CollegesWales, the VQ Awards help to showcase individuals and organisations that have raised the standard of the services they offer as a result of vocational qualifications.

 

The awards, which are part funded by the European Social Fund, are now in their eighth year and coincide with VQ Day – a UK-wide celebration of vocational qualifications for students, teachers, training providers and employers – which is held on Wednesday, June 10.

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Dailycer UK’s growth has coincided with the company’s successful staff training collaboration with Coleg Cambria. Four years after signing a partnership agreement with the college, the high quality producer of cereal bars and cereals has, during that period, seen 250 staff undergo training in 11 different vocational qualifications.

 

The qualifications are based on Proficiency in Food Industry Skills, Food Manufacture, Warehouse and Storage, IT, Business Administration and Engineering.

 

A fully-supported training room at the business, with 24-hour access, has helped Dailycer retain and develop its highly-skilled workforce.

 

The company’s commitment to vocational qualifications has now been recognised as it is one of three finalists in the running to become VQ (Vocational Qualification) Employer of the Year at the showpiece awards ceremony on June 9 at St David’s Hotel, Cardiff.

 

Dailycer UK’s Human Resources manager Jo Butterworth said: “In 2009, we were faced with a challenging economic climate and we saw vocational qualifications as a tool to encourage staff retention and as an internal promotional tool for line leaders following reorganisation.

 

“We needed to use vocational qualifications to maintain our desire to be an ‘employer of choice’. We worked with Dailycer trainers and Coleg Cambria to trial the programmes and then celebrated the staff achievements, which lifted morale and self-esteem. This encouraged others to learn new skills and boosted confidence through training.

 

“We focused on developing our production staff, where the average age is 48, through an advanced food hygiene and food safety qualification. This was seen as essential to enable staff to support the improved product portfolio.

 

“The opportunity to gain vocational qualifications on site is now seen as a great recruitment tool as the organisation grows.”

 

New business opportunities are expected to see the company increase turnover by 25 per cent over the next 12 months and the training programme, supported by the European Social Fund through a Welsh Government initiative, is very much a key part of this success story.

 

Deputy Minister for Skills and Technology, Julie James congratulated the inspirational finalists and also praised all the employers who had entered the VQ Awards this year.

 

“In Wales we have a long tradition of developing skills through vocational routes,” she said. “We remain committed to helping young people and employers develop the skills necessary to contribute to the growing Welsh economy.

 

“VQ Day reminds us just how many Welsh employers and learners are already going that extra mile when it comes to developing their skills. Each of those nominated for this year’s awards have demonstrated what can be achieved through hard work and dedication.

 

“Vocational qualifications are the gold standard in professional excellence and we must ensure they are recognised alongside academic achievements.”