Business Improvement
DELIVERING SKILLS TO SUPPORT GLOBAL MARKETPLACE
“Working out the theory in practice”
Ryobi Aluminium Casting (UK), Ltd. in partnership with Northern Regional College’s Centre of Manufacturing Excellence has delivered a National Skills Academy for Manufacturing (NSAM) Business Improvements Techniques Training course (BIT) including;
1. Complying with Statutory Regulations and Organisational Safety Requirements
2. Contributing to Effective Team Work
3. Workplace Organisation
4. Continuous Improvement Techniques
5. Visual Management Systems
6. Problem Solving Techniques
Delivery comprised 5 days of practical and classroom activities leading into a structured period of improvement implementation (1 day per week for 12 weeks) “working out the theory in practice”.
Skills and knowledge learned in the training environment allowed the candidates to identify problems and then to work through a structured and repeatable improvement process. Candidates were allocated time during the working week to progress their improvements. One project quickly realised annual savings of £103,800.
“The BIT programme was a bit like someone turning on a light switch, when suddenly everything became clear”
(Billy Ogilive, candidate, Ryobi)
“I have done other courses but none that really engaged me in the way that the BIT programme did, really interesting and informative”
(Stafford Doran, candidate, Ryobi)
Each member of staff’s competency was assessed during training and NVQ II issued on completion – this being tracked as part of Ryobi’s Continual Professional Development Scheme.
“The BIT programme was well received by those participating and yielded considerable financial outcomes from the projects”.
(Chris McCullough, Training Officer, Ryobi)
Another class of 10 candidates will commence during March 2010 with the full and continued support of Northern Regional College’s Centre of Excellence staff.
“We believe the design and structure of the BIT programme facilitates learning by giving participants opportunities to apply new skills and knowledge in their work areas. When combined with knowledge and experience of the manufacturing process it clearly unlocked significant improvements that have contributed directly to the bottom line.”
(John Cochrane – Human Resources Manager, Ryobi)
“While taking part in the training the BIT team were able to deliver tangible improvements to the casting process. Using techniques from the course the team halved the level of rejects for the targeted product line realising an annual savings of £103,800 while achieving NVQ qualifications at Level 2.”
(David Watson – Chief Operating Officer, Ryobi)
EVERYONE WINS
Two full time lecturers/trainers now not only understand the theoretical side of BIT techniques but are very familiar with their application in an industrial setting as they have both completed their NVQ level 2 and are working towards their level 3. This further produces an “enhanced Curriculum to equip students with BIT skills in line with industry.
“Key to the success of the programme has been the continued support employees received from their line managers at Ryobi and the high quality learning techniques used in the training process.”
(John McClintock, NRC Lecturer)