Benchmarking
Eucanlearn brings most benefit when it is accompanied by a thorough benchmarking process to define an appropriate level of capability required for each job function in your business.

Post-assessment Consultancy
As part of our support service we will conduct a comprehensive review of results to recognise underutilised talent as well as highlight risk relating to areas of inadequate understanding. Generating a skills matrix for the site with a detailed gap analysis reduces risk exposure and ensures that a greater return on investment can be gained through targeted training plans.

Recommendations & Interventions
Once we have an understanding of capability across a site, we are able to establish the root cause of issues relating to quality, efficiencies and H&S as well as workplace cohesion and inclusiveness. This enables us to create short, medium and long-term action plans with clear guidelines with regard to specific interventions required to reduce business risk and enhance people development.

Driving Improvements in Employee Capability @ Laurens Patisseries

Challenges and Opportunities

Laurens Patisseries, part of Bakkavor Foods Limited, is a multi million pound organisation employing over 1,600 people. The company is one of Europe 's largest manufacturers of chilled cream cakes producing 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

A large proportion of LP employees are non-British which has recently turned out to pose some challenges related to levels of understanding. The eucanlearn team established that LP's recruitment process could be enhanced by incorporating an objective capability assessment. They also recommended setting appropriate benchmarks across all job roles to meet capability required to safely perform all job functions and eliminate any potential risk around quality.

Solutions

In response to the challenges faced by LP, eucanlearn language professionals implemented a structured process which involved:

•  Benchmarking conducted by a qualified assessor , i.e. p hysical evaluation of job roles across the factory to assess capabilities required to perform all job functions most effectively and safely.

•  Assessment of incumbent workforce – over 1,200 employees' literacy and numeracy skills were assessed within 8 days by means of the online eucanlearn Core Capability Assessment. Industrious Ltd provided 20 laptops to facilitate volume assessment. 10 laptops were given to LP as a gesture to support further learning and development.

•  Gap analysis – eucanlearn professionals reviewed all assessment results against agreed role benchmarks and produced a thorough report which categorised individual strengths and weaknesses by role, department and shift to provide focus for prioritising training. A d etailed Boston grid of risk was presented with short and medium term recommendations for driving improvements.

•  Introducing training programmes – Skills for Life Literacy and Numeracy as well as ESOL programmes are underway

Results

One of the key results of the eucanlearn approach included a robust framework for operational roles. As an extension of an existing grading structure eucanlearn assessors designed a framework to complement the selection process. The objective capability benchmarks and skills matrices provided criteria for recruitment and selection and internal development.

A comprehensive analysis of eucanlearn assessment results facilitated prioritising training. Potential risks were addressed promptly by:

•  Reviewing feasibility of transferring employees to more suitable roles

•  Reviewing roles of employees who were above benchmarks to maximise their capability

•  Creating an environment conducive to learning and committing to improving English skills

•  Being able to demonstrate due diligence around quality and H&S compliance.

Eucanlearn worked in partnership with Back-up Training, a specialist training provider to the food industry, to recommend the most appropriate and financially viable training solutions.

ESOL courses as well as Skills for Life – Literacy and Numeracy programmes for 195 employees started within 3 weeks from when the eucanlearn results were presented. 119 employees have already passed their exams in writing, reading, listening and speaking and obtained certificates of course completion with either Entry Level 3 or Level 1 results. The courses are still underway and will be available continuously for all employees.