Dynamic Eco signs Skills Pledge  (posted 11/02/2008)

Innovative Dorset business Eco Sustainable Solutions has signed up to a major government training initiative.

The organics recycling company, which employs 29 people at its Parley site, has signed the Skills Pledge which aims to improve workforce skills and is driven by the Learning and Skills Council (LSC).

Employers signing the Skills Pledge receive broker support to help grow their business and develop their employees with the help of the LSC’s Train to Gain skills service.

Eco has recognised the importance of training since the company was launched 15 years ago.

“The success of our business is built on first-class products backed by top-quality service,” said Sales and Marketing Director Andy Hill. “It seemed logical to put our support for employee training on a formal basis by joining the growing band of organisations signing the Skills Pledge.”

One of the UK’s leading organics recycling firms, Eco processes 120,000 tonnes of material annually into end products such as turf, enriched topsoil, compost and woodchip.

“The need to continually develop our staff, to meet both growth and succession planning requirements, is paramount,” said Andy. “Skills training provides major benefits for the company and for our employees.”

To this end Eco is supporting staff in the acquisition of specialist skills.

“We operate a formal appraisal system to identify training needs,” said Andy. “This has led to some employees undertaking courses such as an Introduction to Management.

"Others are studying for certificates from the Chartered Institute of Marketing and the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants. We view the Skills Pledge as publicly affirming Eco’s commitment to enabling the workforce to gain relevant and valuable qualifications.”

Ingrid Purse, Skills Development Manager, Train to Gain, stressed that businesses of all sizes can benefit from the Skills Pledge.

“Some companies may struggle to identify their skills needs,” she said. “A key component of Train to Gain is the successful brokerage service offering free and impartial advice as well as help with finding the most appropriate training to meet a company’s particular needs.

“These can range from basic literacy and numeracy skills to acquiring professional qualifications.

“Like Eco, wise employers have no doubt about the commercial advantage to be gained by improving workforce skills and maintaining a competitive edge, be it locally, regionally, nationally and internationally.”