Vocational learning – a business leader’s perspective

Caroline Noblett, Director of People & Finance at Granby, a beneficiary of the Granby Academy, with our newest apprentice in Business Administration, Declan Talbot.

May sees the launch of the Stepping Stones project at Granby and, in a very timely way, we’re in the process of making our Lancashire Skills Pledge. To mark these exciting projects, we’re sharing some of what we’ve learned about work-based training and employers’ support for education.

Why vocational learning matters to Granby

As an employee owned business, we have a long history of supporting our people to meet their potential and be the best they can in their roles. Work is where we all spend a good proportion of our time, so it makes sense that everyone should find meaning, support and satisfaction there.

Plus, as a third party logistics partner to the public sector, we are engaged with Social Value, and training and education support these themes and our policies. It’s a no-brainer – we’re in!

We fully fund training and qualifications, whether they are directly vocational or for personal development.

From a production worker studying English for her own personal growth, to a senior manager whose training is important to our succession planning, we facilitate learning through our Granby Academy programme.

Granby Academy is 7 years old in 2023 and going strong. We fully fund training and qualifications, whether they are directly vocational or for personal development. What they learn trickles through the business to everyone. And the impact can be felt in the work we do for clients – good quality, delivered on time, with added value that wouldn’t be possible without professional development.

Currently (May 2023), 10 people are engaged in learning through Granby Academy via our training partners (like North Lancashire Training Group and Team Academy). So far, 86 people have used Granby Academy since it started in 2016.

What we get from vocational learning

If you’re a people-focused business, keeping ahead means investing in the calibre of your employees. Apprenticeships and vocational upskilling schemes provide immense value to our business – in fact, to any business.

Everyone gets something: training and education bring benefits that weave throughout the business and light a fire in those who personally engage with it.

Learning is empowering. Our people also feel valued and invested in as individuals.
An empowered workforce can lead to more job satisfaction, greater productivity, and better staff retention.
Training on-the-job is critical for succession training and business continuity.
On-the-job training provides a good foundation in Granby as an organisation where you can work your way up.
Vocational training is an investment in your people, your business and your communities.
Apprenticeships and other entry-level training supports businesses, individuals and families in deprived communities.

Everyone gets something: training and education bring benefits that weave throughout the business and light a fire in those who personally engage with it.

Who is learning?

Learning is varied and covers a broad range of topics, some of which are tailored specifically to Granby’s needs as a 3PL partner to the public sector and private business.

Eva wants to study English for her own personal development. While this isn’t work-specific learning, we’ll be fully funding her course. Her request inspired us to offer it as a course to other members of the team.
Victoria has completed 2 strategy, leadership and management courses and is on her third (Level 7). Her training is an important investment into the company’s requirements.
Kelsey is also undertaking a leadership and management course (Level 4), also aligned to Granby’s strategic growth plan.
George moved from a temporary production role to a permanent warehousing position with an apprenticeship – and we paid for his forklift certification.
Nicola has completed HR and payroll training. Granby Academy has provided the training she’s needed as she has moved roles within the business.
Marc also got the training he needed when his role changed from planning to compliance. It has allowed him to stay with Granby while also improving his position.
Reece hasn’t really worked before apart from the odd bit of temping here and there. He’s currently doing an apprenticeship and gaining confidence in his abilities.

‘I feel that the course has helped me gain confidence in how I interact with our clients, especially in my client-facing role, and I am applying these learnings so that our clients feel they can contact me about anything and that they trust in the skills I have gained to ensure their campaigns are managed well!’

Kelsey Hall, Client Relationship Manager, Granby

Lancashire Skills Pledge

This is an initiative managed by the Lancashire Skills and Employment Hub. Its objectives are to “create the conditions for a balanced, skilled and inclusive labour market to underpin economic well-being, productivity and growth across the Lancashire area”.

The Lancashire Skills Pledge is a rallying call to businesses and individuals to support these objectives (and others) by declaring a commitment to do something for your community.

For example, as a business leader, professional or expert, you might volunteer to speak to schoolchildren and college students about careers in your sector. Or, you might volunteer to support school and college leadership teams in your area.

Your business could begin accepting apprentices and you might become an ambassador, like Granby, inspiring other businesses in your network to take them up.

We’re currently working with the Lancashire Skills Pledge team to craft a pledge for Granby that will help us have long-lasting influence and impact on our community.

We’re currently working with the Lancashire Skills Pledge team to craft a pledge for Granby that will help us have long-lasting influence and impact on our community.

Team Academy – delivering ‘Stepping Stones’

We’ve partnered with Team Academy, a training provider that has tailored a leadership programme to Granby’s needs and the needs of our ‘students’, to deliver Stepping Stones.

As we mentioned above, last year we became an employee owned business. The process was rigorous and part of the preparation was to build a strong senior management team. This work continues with programmes like this one, where we can train and promote candidates from within the business. And train and promote some more.

Four of our colleagues will be road-testing the course, which incorporates softer skills like interpersonal communications, on the job training, coaching skills, and managing relationships. They will be out of the office a day a month.

What’s the first step for a keen employer?

Every region has resources like Lancashire Skills Hub, you can find them through Google or Bing and get a flavour of the possibilities, even perhaps make a pledge! Nationally, you might find training and employment schemes for your business on GOV.UK, including information on free courses.

Let’s give Jake the last word. He completed his warehousing apprenticeship in March and says he’d recommend it as it helped him learn new skills and gain confidence. He added that he feels Granby is a good team to be a part of. Stay for a while – find out more about us and what we do.