Training – some of the Stiller staff who took part in the training . Back row : Keiran Jones , Sam Waistell , Stephen Fawcett . Front row : Pamela Twist , Suzie Kitchen . Picture by Chris Booth .
FUTURE PROOFING
Stiller invests in people with long-term staff training programme
BY MARTIN WALKER
Stiller Warehousing and Distribution is investing further in its employees after embarking on a long-term staff training programme .
The logistics firm has already trained up 12 workers , across various departments of the company , on business improvement techniques – with the main aim of improving customer services .
Stiller is working with Qualitrain – a leading , matrix-accredited training provider on the Skills Funding Agency ’ s Register of Apprenticeship Training Providers ( RoATP ) – to eventually put all of its staff through the programme .
Their qualifications – which are accredited by EAL , a specialist skills partner and awarding organisation for industry – include Level 3 Diploma in Business Improvement Techniques ( Operations and Quality Improvement ) and Level 2 Information , Communication and Functional Skills .
Operations director Brian Simpson said : “ We ’ re always looking at ways to upskill our staff which , ultimately , improves our services to our customers .
“ The first cohort of staff were chosen from different departments within the business – office staff , customer services , warehousing and fork lift drivers – so we ’ re spreading it across the business with every group .
“ The eventual aim is that we ’ ll have a supervisory group of staff at level 3 , team leaders at level 2 and the operatives at level 1 , so everyone within the business will go through the process .
“ It ’ s part of Stiller ’ s ongoing commitment to our people .”
The matrix standard is a unique quality standard for organisations to assess and measure their advice and support services , which ultimately supports individuals in their choice of career , learning , work and life goals .
Qualitrain develops and delivers its own training programmes through an understanding of real world environments , and has trained and qualified thousands of candidates across the UK .
Its programme traditionally focuses on the elimination of waste , including overresourcing , waiting , non-utilised talent , transportation , motion and non-value added tasks .
By equipping employees with the practical skills , advice and qualifications , businesses can benefit by improving the quality of their service , improving accuracy of delivery , reducing overheads and increasing profits .
More about Stiller can be found at stiller . co . uk
Brian added : “ A tutor comes on to site and takes staff through the practices of business improvement techniques .
“ They then go into business and look at projects in specific areas that they could improve , using the knowledge they ’ ve gained from the training .
“ It ’ s a win-win for the business but , crucially , it ’ s our customers who will benefit from an improved service .”
Stiller has invested more than £ 11m in property , facilities and people in the last five years .
The company opened its new £ 2m freight distribution centre in 2019 and also converted its former logistics centre into a new 50,000 sq ft warehouse to accommodate 6,000 pallets . More than £ 6m has also been invested in maintaining its fleet of new vehicles .
Formed in 1954 , Stiller provides costeffective warehousing and distribution services to businesses in the North-East region as well as commercial property lettings . It is also a member and major shareholder in Palletline , a national co-operative network of 70 companies specialising in overnight palletised freight distribution .
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