Twelve months ago, leading independent vehicle rental and contract hire company Burnt Tree embarked upon a dedicated NVQ programme and today, the Shrewsbury-based company now has 106 employees successfully qualified across its 21 strong branch network. A further 90 employees have also signed up to complete this NVQ programme shortly and, by August 2014, the company anticipates that over 50% of its employees will have a NVQ qualification.
Commenting on the success of the programme, Richard Metcalfe, chief executive at Burnt Tree said, "The NVQ programme has achieved a culture of learning within the company, where continuous improvement is not just words, it is part of everything we do. The sheer volume of qualified employees is a resounding success, especially as this has been a voluntary sign up process."
At Burnt Tree, the NVQ programme is being overseen by the company's Shropshire General Manager Will Henderson and it covers the whole company, from senior management through to branch-based driver valeters. The differing types of NVQ being undertaken by Burnt Tree staff include a wide range of subjects, from business administration and customer service through to employee responsibilities and accident repair, which are then all independently assessed by the company's appointed NVQ supplier, SWP Training Ltd from Durham.
"By working closely with SWP, we have been able to create a minimum impact, maximum effect solution that fits in with the busy nature of our business as well as linking into our performance driven culture," said Will Henderson, "Each NVQ qualification takes approximately 12 weeks to complete and every single Burnt Tree branch now has staff with this internationally recognised qualification."
Burnt Tree is the UK's largest independent commercial vehicle rental and contract hire company, offering the widest range of vehicles in the industry, all backed by flexible products that put its customers in control. The company operates a 16,300-strong fleet out of 21 strategically located sites throughout England, Scotland and Wales.