Representatives from Mercedes-Benz Trucks based in Milton Keynes received an award at St James’s Palace this week from Princess Anne in recognition of the commitment it has made with training and skills development. The company was one of thirty-four companies who received the Princess Royal Training Award. This award recognised the work of companies who went further in that not only did they develop a good training programme, but the training programme was correlated to business performance.
What impressed the judges with Mercedes-Benz was the initiative that the company took in using a training programme to not only recruit a new sales force but also fill a skills gap. The 26-week training course for new recruits included the opportunity for them to learn how to drive a truck. As a result of the new programme since 2011, has achieved a 78% retention rate of the course and increased the number of female trainees.
Vincente Connolly, UK director of national sales at Mercedes-Benz and FUSO Trucks, said: “I am delighted that our dedication to training and development has been recognised in this way. At Mercedes-Benz Trucks, we place a premium on ensuring that our employees have the chance to learn and grow in their roles. We understand that this is not only good for them, but is also vital to the success of the business.”
The awards are new honours which are presented by City & Guilds, an organisation which provides vocational courses across many different occupations. They are designed to acknowledge companies who not only provide a great training package but one which results in a commercial benefit to the company as well. The thirty-four companies who have received the awards were from a wide-range of spheres from prestige car manufacturers to healthcare organisations and charities.
Many people may be surprised to see charities being included, but you must remember that organisations such as Air Ambulances are charities and I have seen some of their facilities which include the ability for paramedics to train in low-light conditions for attending to casualties late at night.