Howells introduces NVQs and staff training to address skills shortage

Howells Patent Glazing is dedicating its attention to addressing the UK skills shortage, with the introduction of NVQs and a new staff training programme.

By improving the skills of its whole team, including management level employees, the company hopes to tackle the skills shortage that has been plaguing the UK’s construction industry for the past few years.

Whilst employment levels have increased, the UK Commission for Employment and Skills has recorded evidence of stalling productivity growth, which could hinder economic recovery. The report also identified the need to address structural skills and youth employment challenges.

According to the Employer Skills Survey (ESS), manufacturing businesses such as Howells are more likely to encounter skills shortages when looking to recruit; they account for 30% of the manufacturing vacancies that are deemed hard to fill.

NVQs and staff training

To tackle these issues, Howells has introduced workplace NVQs. So far, its employees have been taken from Functional Skills Level 2, through to Level 2 NVQ Diplomas in Business Improvement Techniques. The company is currently focusing on training staff on the production line, from operatives through to management level.

Howells hopes that its new training programme will encourage more young people to consider a career in its manufacturing facilities, where valuable skills and qualifications can be obtained.