Kent-based Marley Plumbing and Drainage have been in business for over 50 years. The company utilises plastics extrusion and injection moulding technologies to supply below ground draining systems to UK and international markets.  Marley has always invested heavily in developing its 450 strong workforce.  A recognised Investor in People organisation, the company wanted to develop employees working in injection moulding and extrusion to NVQ Level 2 in Polymer Processing and Related Operations. The company philosophy is that “people make a company”, and it is committed to upskilling people who help it to stay ahead of the game with their innovation, flexibility and knowledge.  The company was able to take advantage of funding support via the Learning and Skills Council’s (LSC’s) Train to Gain programme and its pilot predecessor Profit from Learning. After reviewing its training needs with primary training provider IPS International, Marley embarked on a major training and accreditation programme that so far has seen over 40 of its staff achieve NVQ Level 2 in Polymer Processing.  Two NVQ Assessors were trained by IPS International, a Centre for Vocational Excellence in the engineering and manufacturing sector, supported by the LSC funding. This meant that employees based in extrusion and injection moulding could be registered onto the programme and all work based NVQ assessments conducted internally. Roy Warden, an associate and partner of IPS, who has expertise in polymers and who is based locally, visited Marley regularly to support the assessors and conduct verifications to enable the employees to receive their NVQ certificates.  Marley is delighted with the outcomes, confirming that the programme has raised the skills levels of the workforce, which has in turn contributed to reductions in tool changeover times and direct repair and maintenance costs.  

This article was originally published in the newsletter Cogent Focus issue 5 (Autumn 2007).  Cogent is the Sector Skills Council for Chemicals, Pharmaceuticals, Nuclear, Oil and Gas and Polymers.