Bridge of Allan based United Closures and Plastics (UCP) are planning to have trained more than a two thirds of their workforce through the Flexible Workforce Development Fund (FWDF).
A subsidiary of the Guala Group, UCP - which makes metal and plastic closures and non-refillable valves for the spirits industry - currently employs around 350 staff.
Forth Valley College have a long standing relationship with UCP through the delivery of their Modern Apprenticeships in several disciplines, including: Mechanical Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Maintenance and Engineering Technical Support.
FVC have already delivered and certificated the nationally recognised IOSH (Institution of Occupational Safety & Health) ‘Working Safely’ one day course to 72 UCP employees though the 2017 – 18 FWDF and now plan to deliver the same course to 132 production employees through the 2018 – 19 FWDF.
The expectation is that this will ‘promote employee engagement, bring about a reduction in accidents and improve hazard recording and safety performance’. Courses have all been delivered by FVC IOSH Trainers on-site at UCP in Bridge of Allan.
Alison Wood, UCP’s HR Director, said: “The Flexible Workforce Development Fund has been very useful for us. We picked the IOSH courses for our shop-floor employees as it supports our company objectives which puts safety as our number one priority. It will allow us to upskill our employees so that they are fully aware of safety obligations while working here at UCP.
“I would, without doubt, recommend that other companies take advantage of the FWDF. It has certainly benefitted us. We have focussed on Safety this year, but going forward we would look at the wider range of training that is available.”
Jim Armitage, UCP Site Training Coordinator, said: “The feedback we have had already from our shop-floor employees on the IOSH course has been very positive. The staff are delighted that it is enhancing their skill set.”
Lex Anderson, FVC’s Commercial Growth Officer, said: “We are delighted to work closely with UCP, not only in helping to train their modern apprentices, but through the Flexible Workforce Development Fund. It really gives the college an opportunity to explore training areas which we might not have been able to explore without the fund being available.”
The photograph shows Lex Anderson (back left), Jim Armitage (next to Lex) and Alison Wood (next to Jim) at UCP reception with some shop-floor employees who will benefit from the IOSH training.