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Developing People, Developing the Business
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Developing People, Developing the Business
Stobart Group’s people are the foundation of our success
and we want to ensure that they have every opportunity to
grow and develop with the business. The Group works with
its own trainers, as well as external providers to ensure every
training course is tailored to meet the precise needs of the
business; allowing employees to apply learning directly back
into the workplace, and maximising benefits to both the
business and its employees.
Management Development Programme
In 2010, the Stobart Group Management Development
Programme (MDP) was launched to identify, nurture and
develop emerging leaders within the Group. This new
learning and development programme forms a critical step in
driving the Group’s business activities forward, whilst
ensuring Stobart Group remains market leader in an
increasingly competitive industry.
The MDP is a bespoke programme that has been designed to
support the succession planning requirements of the business.
The Programme comprises the following elements:
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Formal Training Courses
including strategic leadership,
finance for non-financial managers and managing and
improving performance. The courses and their delivery are
tailored to meet the needs of the individual and also the
business, this allows the delegate to readily apply the
learning back into real-life work situations.
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J
ob Placements
enable the delegates to experience and
understand a different division within the Group instead of
just their individual division and day to day role.
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Projects
are work-based and structured to provide
learning opportunities for the delegate and also to be a
benefit to the business.
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Mentor support
with a Senior Manager or Director
within the business.
The Group has worked in partnership with Coventry University
to achieve external accreditation. Following successful
completion of the programme and corresponding assignments,
delegates will receive 90 University CAT points, along with a
Stobart certification.
In addition to the MDP Programme, Stobart Group’s
recognise other talent within the business and creates
bespoke training programmes. These include courses
in Time Management, Negotiation Skills and Project
Management, with some employees completing NVQ Level
3 in ‘Leadership and Management’ alongside these sessions.
The Right Tools for the job
In March 2011, Eddie Stobart opened its Training Academy
at Widnes in Cheshire. The new facility is dedicated to the
training and recruitment of drivers within the business, and
will also become the central facility for all other staff training
within the organisation.
The purpose-built facility includes all the equipment and
resources required to train first class, professional LGV
drivers. It features an indoor practical training area for
hands-on experience on the actual units, trailers and in-cab
technology used by the Group.
The site also has three multi-purpose training rooms for
employee development courses. One room is also a fully
equipped IT training room built to provide Microsoft and PC
training, as well as system training on the Group’s advanced
in-house planning software.
Eddie Stobart’s driver training team comprises 20 trainers and
support staff. This experienced team is dedicated to delivering
the statutory requirements of the Driver Certificate in
Professional Competence (CPC), as well as DSA registered LGV
instruction and NVQs.
Every new Eddie Stobart driver must complete an intensive
two day induction course to ensure they measure-up to
the exceptionally high standards that are demanded of a
Stobart driver. Every driver is also issued with a personal Driver
Manual and a comprehensive pack containing essential
information. This innovative, publication is packed with vital
data that ranges from core Safe Systems of Work and
customer location maps through to notes on clients’ special
requirements, EU driving hours and even customs allowances.
The Company is ahead of schedule in delivering its own
range of accredited courses, ensuring drivers are in full
compliance with the demands of the Driver CPC. The CPC
programme is aimed at ensuring LGV and PCV drivers are
trained to a high standard in a variety of complementary
areas such as Health and Safety, Customer Care, EU hours
and Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED).
To-date over 4,500 CPC days have been completed within
the business, meaning 98.5% of Stobart drivers have
completed their first year of CPC training; with 62% having
already completed their second year.
Positive about Young People
This year will see the further development of the Eddie Stobart
Apprenticeship scheme.
The aim of this innovative scheme is to encourage more
young people to join the industry, younger. The programme
takes inductees through a tailored 26 week training
programme; achieving NVQs at Levels 2 and 3 and gaining
key skills and technical knowledge in the process.
The Group supports young people in a range of Apprenticeship
programmes, these include Traffic Office and Driving Goods
Vehicles and also delivers NVQs in Customer Service, Business
Administration and ITQ.