News

Investment In Training Wins Award

Omnico, the plastic building product specialists has for the second year running won the coveted 'Training Initiative of the Year Award' at the Builders Merchants Awards for excellence 2003. The ceremony was held on November 28th at the Savoy Hotel, London.

Winning the award for the second consecutive year is excellent achievement for Omnico and is representative of the importance that the company places on investment training and development. Colin Evans, Managing Director of Omnico, said: "I am thrilled to win the award again - customer service is the key differentiator in our business, which makes staff training essential rather than optional -it underpins virtually everything we do. Investment in this area enables us to develop and consistently improve our service offering, giving us an advantage over the competition, and creating a capable and well-motivated workforce whilst at the same time improving our staff retention rates."

The Builders Merchants Awards judges were impressed by the way Omnico placed training at the forefront of its business. With a proactive and methodical approach, training needs for all staff are identified and recorded centrally on a colour-coded skills matrix. The staff appraisal process automatically creates an annual review, although in practice the matrix is updated monthly, with details by branch and by individual of all courses requested, arranged and completed.

The judges also praised Omnico for doubling their training output, with the main objective being to maximise the level and scope of training available to all its people, regardless of their position in the company - creating a skilled and cross-functional workforce.

To further reiterate Omnico's commitment to its workforce the business has recently been successful in retaining its status as an "Investor In People" following a statutory three-year review.

Award 2003
Above: Steve Lister, director of sales of Worcester Heating with Doug Pipe, sales director of Omnico Plastics receiving Best Builders Merchant Training Initiative of the Year, and host Steve Rider.

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